Facial hair/beards

gustavofring

gustavofring

Well-known member
Does anyone else find it silly that in 2012, when beards have become quite fashionable, that employers still have their old fashioned rules with facial hair? That it looks unprofessional etc.

I think I look better with a beard, I don't want to be a hipster or anything but I just have a baby face without it. As long as its well kempt, and not hobo-ish, I personally don't see the problem. But it looks like I'm gonna have to shave it if I get the job I've been applying for, and many other jobs. :kickingmyself:
 
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aNOTfox

Well-known member
I was thinking this recently. It's the same with piercings and tattoos as well. I wish people wouldn't pre-judge people on their appearance, the world would be a much better place.
 
gustavofring

gustavofring

Well-known member
At the risk of sounding like a hypocrite, I do find piercings and tattoos to be a bit unprofessional for certain professions. I don't really mind it though but I can see why employers would think twice when someone has a piercing in their face in a representative function.

A beard however is a natural part of being a man, and with all the celebrities sporting them you'd think there wouldn't be such a taboo on it anymore.
 
Flanscho

Flanscho

Well-known member
Guess it depends on the job. At my job, I can show up with a beard or not, with long or short hair. I can wear thick pullovers or t-shirts with stuff written on them like "there is something good in all of us - even if it's just a knife".
 
gustavofring

gustavofring

Well-known member
Sounds like a good workplace, Flanscho. I take it it's not a representative function though? (like dealing directly with customers).
 
Opaline

Opaline

1
Yes I think it is utterly ridiculous. Men grow beards naturally (obviously) - it's like asking women to tape their breasts down because they look unseemly in the workplace.

As long as a beard is well-kept and neat, I honestly don't see anything wrong with it. What are we, afraid of facial hair? pfft


I may just be saying this because I've been watching Lord of the Rings the past few days. heh




...that was a joke.
 
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laure15

Well-known member
I have nothing against beards, but employers may have valid reasons to oppose them. Some workplaces like the hospital don't allow employees to grow their nails or beards long for safety reasons (i.e. to prevent contamination, spread of infections, etc).

And imagine if you're working as a welder and you accidentally lit your beard on fire. That would suck.
 
Flanscho

Flanscho

Well-known member
gustavofring said:
Sounds like a good workplace, Flanscho. I take it it's not a representative function though? (like dealing directly with customers).
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I'm a programmer. I don't have much to do with the clients themselves. Sometimes a meeting involves a client, and sometimes the boss shows a client around, but that's about it. The job got its ups and downs.
 
Starry

Starry

Well-known member
gustavofring said:
Does anyone else find it silly that in 2012, when beards have become quite fashionable, that employers still have their old fashioned rules with facial hair? That it looks unprofessional etc
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Funny that... I always think a proper, full, neat beard looks a LOT more professional than clean shaven... Certainly in the past, a man wouldn't have been taken seriously without a beard lol.
 
Pookah

Pookah

Well-known member
I think being groomed is considered professional. So lumberjack may not be ok if you are wearing khakis or a suit. But trimmed facial hair should be acceptable.
 
bcsr

bcsr

Well-known member
I had quite a neat, well-trimmed, beard for years that I had to say goodbye to when I got into law enforcement. It was a little painful shaving it off, and I miss it. :( Doesn't really make sense to me, but it's a small price to pay, lol.

The office I worked in previously had an extremely relaxed dress code. Shorts, sandals, t-shirts, long hair, beards, whatever.
 
Xervello

Xervello

Well-known member
Well in Iowa a female dental assisant was fired for being "irresistibly attractive", ya know, because that's her fault. Those damn smocks. What does society expect, c'mon! Apparently they grown corn in Iowa, but not male willpower. Or any common sense. As the Iowa supreme court, an ALL-MALE supreme court no less, ruled in the employer's favor. So get ready for that, too, women. As if you didn't have enough problems.

Given that anecdote, hopefully a minor facial hair/workplace inconvenience isn't so bad comparatively. ;)
 
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Lonely_Guy28

Member
That's because employers want men to look effeminate and not manly.God gave us beards,it's a man's pride.Just like a lion and his mane.
 
dottie

dottie

Well-known member
Lonely_Guy28 said:
That's because employers want men to look effeminate and not manly.God gave us beards,it's a man's pride.Just like a lion and his mane.
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this. they want to strip you of your humanity, dignity, and enroll you in their slave system. do it with a smile. thank them for the "opportunity."
 
cowboyup

cowboyup

Well-known member
Personally, I see nothing wrong with facial hair. Of course there are the few exceptions regarding occupations such as working in a hospital, lab, even police and military, but outside that, it's all good :bigsmile:

It is a shame that it seems we're stuck in the 'way back machine' - :thumbdown:
 
gustavofring

gustavofring

Well-known member
even police and military
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Why not those? What happened to the good ol' stached police officer?

220px-HH_Polizeihauptmeister_MZ.jpg
 
gustavofring

gustavofring

Well-known member
Meh, I don't buy all those reasons. You can't wear a gas mask with a groomed beard? Really?

The truth is probably closer to what Lonely_guy says. It's an outdated thinking, that probably stems back from the sixties when beards were associated with hippies/rebellion and shaven with "good citizenry". And it is probably worsened by 9/11 and Islamic extremism.
 
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