The Art of Shaving: Why I Kept My Beard and Embraced Clean Shaves

I once shaved off my beard after noticing that my new boss, who wasn’t that happy with me, seemed to prefer a clean-shaven appearance. To my surprise, she actually loved it and we became good friends. This taught me a valuable lesson: a clean-shaven look can set the right professional standards and improve personal relationships.

Every so often, I indulge my curiosity by removing my beard to perform an annual double chin check. However, time and gravity have taken their toll on my chin, making it appear more like a turkey's wattle. Hence, my beard returns as quickly as possible.

Since the age of 16, I have not shaved my beard off completely. It has been cropped, grown long, and even dyed a few times. However, a full shave-off has never appealed to me, and it probably never will.

Dear John, to your query, as a 70-year-old woman with a small gray beard, I have to shave it almost daily. I hope it's my last one.

Back in 1980, my class partner and I placed third in the state DECA competition. The judges considered my scraggly beard, thin and spotty, a factor in our evaluation. Luckily, one of the judges had a clean-shaven beard and defended me, saving us from a lower ranking. After that experience, I realized the only reason I had a beard was because I was too lazy to shave. I decided to shave it off and, except for occasional stubble, I have been clean-shaven for 38 years now.

Another significant moment was when I shaved off my beard in 1972 for a college production of the musical 1776. My then girlfriend preferred me clean-shaven, and that is how it stayed.

These stories illustrate the different reasons people choose to shave or keep their beards. Whether for professional reasons, personal preferences, or just a touch of rebellion, every decision can have a significant impact on how others perceive you. So, embrace your choice of clean-shaven or bearded, and remember that the art of shaving is as varied and personal as the faces that bear it.