Beards & Professionalism

I just imagined you with said facial hair and it was totally amusing. Stroke your beard, Snowy. Stroke it. And ruminate.

 

...I thought that was just a stereotype.

 

I've had a Van Dyke since 1991 but recently grew it out to a full beard. I am still working out how long I want to grow it. I think the tropical heat of Singapore is going to battle me on this one...

 

I love the Tor Johnson avatar Charlatan. He is fantastic in that film in a truly awful sense of the word.

This past week I trimmed the full beard down to my more typical look, just ignore the fuzz on my head that I have been too lazy to shave lately and the poor quality from the point and shoot.

 

So that's what I would look like if I lost 200 pounds

 

Thanks! I have a soft spot (as opposed to a smooth spot) for the film and Tor Johnson.

Here's what my beard is looking like these days:

 

I agree with most in this thread. Beards can definitely work in a professional setting.

Personally, I almost always sport a 3-5 day stubble, and have in recent months walked around with a light beard for a couple weeks.

Neatness of the beard is a big factor, though. @genuinegirly Christian Bale's beard you showed and @Charlatan 's beard go very well without negatively affecting the image of professionalism (I see these beards as enhancing it in the right contexts, actually).

No offense to @mixedmedia and @Speed_Gibson but those beards would, in my opinion, be well out of place in many places. Too much hair and/or not well-kept enough.

 

No offense taken. I like my beard a bit longer but have no problem trimming it substantially if you offer me enough incentive; particularly something like more money than I am making now. Back in my days as a cook I kept it much shorter or just the mustache because I really hate wearing beard nets. My scalp was easy enough as I just kept it clean shaven more than i do now.
I generally keep the chin hair just long enough to grab decently or shaved entirely, unless a work situation dictates otherwise.
--- merged: Nov 6, 2013 at 3:11 AM ---
for comparison (pardon any reposts) :
back in July of this year -


back in 2004 when I actually had dark hair still


or back in 2002 with a properly trimmed full beard (I have a colour shot taken at the same time and angle which shows my whopping 3 or 4 grey hairs)-

 

I wish I could grow one like this without the in-between stage. I think I will have a go when I take my Christmas break and see what kind of length I can add. I like the handlebar moustache part.

 

No offense taken. I totally avoided the 'is it professional part?' because I am a beardaholic. I realize that most of those beards wouldn't cut it in the professional world, but I don't see what is wrong with the beard the Charles re-posted up there or Zach's beard. I would trust an accountant or a lawyer with one of those beards.

But anyway, guys who sport the full, natural beards in general don't live in the office culture anyway.

 

The professional world, outside of the Arts, IT industry and California apparently, is pretty conservative and first impressions make a tremendous difference.

Just like with the clothes you choose for your professional appearance, beards and hairstyles have to be carefully selected and must fit the person in question.

I used to lightly gel my hair and cleanly shaved my face until roughly 2 years ago, when I found that my natural hair and trimmed stubble fit me much better. At the same time, I don't think I could ever rock @Charlatan 's beard.

The beard Charlatan reposted doesn't fit the male model and it's something that would, in my mind, truly fit only very few faces. I've only ever met two professionals (one German, the other Austrian) who were able to pull off a handlebar moustache, and adding to that the heavy full beard makes it very difficult. I'm not optimistic about it working out on Charlatan's face, but will be happy to see the results.

And while I love Zach Galifanikis, he looks super dorky with his beard.

EDIT: My father sports a thicker version of the beard below, and it is marvelous.

 

I feel differently.

 

Agreed.

 

The beard needs to fit the person wearing it, and grooming is important, esp for "white collar" professionals. I see guys with unruly beards that look great, a certain presence is required to pull off that look. Some guys go for the 'five day growth' beards; it works for some and others look ridiculous.

I've grown a Van Dyke over the past couple of weeks. It's not a great beard, but on me it's better than a full beard because my beard has some nearly bare patches that show even if I let it grow long.

One my neighbors has a 'skimpy' full beard, but it works for him, and he's been wearing for at least 22 years.

A fellow at a music store that we patronize has one of the wimpiest & crappiest beards that I've ever seen. The hairs are very sparse, his beard looks like something a 13 year might try to grow. Before anyone jumps my ass for being judgemental, he openly admits to having received many negative comments (I keep my mouth shut) re his beard.

On a side note--Beards can be used to stimulate sensitive body parts.