Dan's Papers -February 13, 2009 - Twentysomething... Growing A Beard

There are two types of men: those who choose to grow a beard, and those who choose not to. Every guy, at some point in his life, entertains the idea of growing serious facial hair, whether a loud mustache, a goatee or a full beard. But there are plenty of guys out there who, for one reason or another, shave every single day of their lives. I've always been one of those guys.

Since the age of 13 (okay, 16) I've been shaving my face, never once daring to grow even a mustache. I was determined to look clean cut without ever venturing into the unknown world of facial hair. I didn't want to know that world.

It's taken a decade, but now, at 26, I've finally ventured into the wonderful world of beard-dom. I have to say I'm enjoying every minute of it.

I decided to grow a beard over a drink with my friend Colin about two weeks ago. Colin has a pretty impressive beard, and when he heard that I had never once grown one, he freaked out. "You must grow a beard! It is a rite of passage! Are you telling me you're going to go through your whole life never knowing what it's like!?"

When he put it that way, as if it was some kind of life experience, I was somewhat sold. Once I tentatively said I'd do it, I knew there was no turning back. It was now a matter of honor.

Two weeks later, I have a pretty heavy beard going and I have to say that growing a beard is a pleasant experience on so many levels it's ridiculous. The first few days feel like you're taking a real risk with everything in your life. It's like living on the edge, only scruffier. A few looks from a few co-workers, perhaps a compliment on the sexy (is it sexy?) scruffiness, and then it's over.

By day five, the real fun begins. By then, I looked in the mirror and instantly felt different. Who is this older, wiser, more mature person staring back at me? I need to ask this guy a question. He looks serious. And then the transformation begins. After a week, I noticed a change in myself. Believe it or not, I actually felt more normal and confident than usual. I think this has to do with living here, where many locals have some kind of facial hair. I felt like I fit in better. But I also found myself trying to dress better to let people know that I cared about myself and that I wasn't just being lazy and not shaving.

I learned two other thing about a beard. First, I felt more natural in dress clothes. Usually, if I dress up I feel like I'm over doing it. Who do I think I am? But with a beard, I feel like a guy who's trying to look his best. Second, a beard is an immediate signal to people that you're an adult. You're treated as such and you feel as such. In my entire life, even when buying a cup of coffee, I've always felt I'm looked at as "the good kid" or "the young man." With a beard, I feel more serious, so I act more serious and hence people take me more seriously. It's a feeling, but I'm telling you, I notice the difference buying a cup of coffee. No, I don't want hot chocolate, but if I did, it would be a serious hot chocolate.

Lastly, the wonderful world of growing a beard (and even after two weeks, I am still growing one) is its incredible and remarkable ability to casually hide a double chin.