To Beard Or Not To Beard ?

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 211, 7 September 1938, Page 14

To Beard Or Not To Beard ?

Women Do Not Like Them

you like beards? Would you like your husband to have one?

Many women were asked to give an opinion and “No” was the reply of nearly everyone of them, one or two giving as their reason that it was because beards tickled and then, in answer to a questioning look, they hastily added: “That was when grandpa used to kiss me as a child.”

The arrival in Australia of the Mormon wrestler, Brother Jonathan, has raised the “beard or not to beard” question once more, and some enthusiastic fans are already making his visit an excuse to develop a chin growth. A Woman Editor said: Beards worn by people with definite personalities are good. I’m thinking of Berard the Frenchman, who does ballet decor. A beard is right for him. Then there is the explorer Courtauld, but he eats raw steak seasoned with lemon-juice. But it suits him—the beard, I mean. Woman Author: I hate beards. For one thing, they are not hygienic, and, except on a great big man, they look too dreadful for words; the average man these days is rather small, and a man should be six feet high and look like a Spanish don to get away with a beard. Beards look sinister at their best; we all look twice at a man with a beard; feeling he might be a secret agent or a doubtful character from the islands. And if a man wears a beard he has to wear a moustache, and, of all abominations, the worst is a drooping moustache. A toothbrush moustache is effiminate, so there is nothing attractive about them at all. The late King George V. was the exception to the rule, because of his reserved dignity which offset his beard; but for the general run of men the Sir Walter Raleigh touch was all right in the days of ruffles and swords, but that day is over.

Private Secretary: I would not give twopence for a man with fungi all over his face; it is careless, and looks as though the man has got tired of shaving. The egotism that goes with a beard is infuriating, because if a man has a beard he thinks he looks distinguished—except older men, of course.

Waitress: A beard makes a man seem twice his age; they are clean, and an unkempt look is unpleasant. Beards are unhygienic. City Florist: Forty years ago men were proud of their beards and moustaches; then men prided themselves on looking distinguished, but fashions change. I like beards on older men, because they give them dignity, and usually a handsome Spanish air. The late George Lambert, the artist, looked splendid with his beard.

Young Society Girl: I do not like going to the theatre or a dance with a bearded man, because he looks too conspicuous, and every one is continually staring at him; at the same time I do think a man with a beard is distinguished if he keeps it well clipped, as most of them do. A man must be different from the usual crowd if he has the courage to grow a beard, so it is a sign of personality. Young Business Man: I know that women do not prefer bearded men. One of my friends, thinking how handsome he would look, grew a beard, quite confident he would impress the ladies. A week after confiding this to me, he cut it off. Women ought to like a bearded man because he would not be able to tell a bare-faced lie; in fact, women on the Continent do like bearded men—they evidently think them more romantic. There is always more mystery about

such a man, and his personality is more subtle. Country Girl: Beards always make me think of spies. Men are far preferable clean shaven, for their features are undisguised, and it is not difficult to estimate character. An Artist (Male): Beards are out as far as I’m concerned, for the simple reason that they are unhygienic. Furthermore, the only excuse for wearing a beard in this day and age would be because of a weak chin or a mean mouth.. And finally, young men who wear beards are generally egotistic, and their beards are exhibitionism, and an attempt to draw attention to an otherwise insignificant person. Bright Young Thing: I’ve never known a man with a beard, and I can’t say I ever want to—much. A Nurse: Every young man I’ve seen with a beard has been positively fascinating. It might be because they are nearly always foreigners, and have an intriguing accent to go with it. But foreign or local, I’d like to see a few more beards worn by young men. As far as elderly men are concerned, 1 like beards on them too, because a beard gives them a benign and dignified look.