Kilts & Beards

[lcjones]

Folks,

Though I have been quite these last few months, I ask that you may lend an ear at this time.

I have cultivated a moustache for decades. I've grown beards off and on during that time. I usually begin a beard during the last of September and allow it to 'do what it will" through March or April of the following Spring. This year, however, I began nurturing a beard at the end of July. I don't know why. It just happened.... as many things do.

While sitting in an auto repair shop today I happened upon an article about "Championship Beard" competitions. I read with interest as the pictures of a number of men from around the world had the most compelling beards I have ever seen. The article mentioned a "moustache and beard" organzation to which I visited this evening on the web. I am in the process of "registering" my beard. Who would have thunk it.

Anyway, what really caught my attention was the National Beard Association has a "Credo" by which these men stand. Below is the credo, and I suspect this could very well apply to those men of worldly and fine taste who don the kilt.

I suggest we, as ambassadors of the Kilt, create a credo of similiar disposition.

****************************************

The National Beard Registry has been established to encourage men in all walks of
life, from every continent, to resist conformity, corporate culture, and androgyny by
embracing the beautiful, unique and utterly personal habit of growing a full beard.
In past generations, it was normal for men to grow full beards. Images from the past
are filled with men who grew full beards. Military men, men of letters, activists,
politicians, judges, farmers, professors, big men, small men, great men, heroes,
famous and infamous men alike grew full beards.
Today, wearing a full beard is often looked down upon and discouraged. Men with full
beards are now accused of being un-patriotic, whatever that is. How silly we have
become.
All beards are beautiful and worthy of registration. But the majestic and magnificent
full and aged beard is the ultimate quest of The National Beard Registry. Like a
fingerprint, a year or more of full growth on a man's face produces a one-of-a-kind
appearance that defies trend, pop culture, and media driven conformity. It is a very
natural and beautiful symbol of individualism, and honors the self-expressed manhood
within each man.
It is our belief that by establishing the National Beard Registry, we will be supporting
individual creative expression, resisting blind conformity to media driven corporate
culture, and promoting the notion of a world where every individual is valued.
The National Beard Registry is based in America but the word National in its name
applies to any nation. International boundaries are only in our minds. Conformity is an
international malaise. Beards are beautiful on every continent.
We therefore call for all men - who can and desire to participate, to grow a full beard,
with only minor trimming for neck comfort, eating or kissing. We gladly register ALL
beards of any length or type. We are also looking for naturally outrageous growth
such as the braided Fu Manchu, dreadlock full beard, or long goatees and sideburns
etc. You may register your beard online or at our booth at a festival near you.
Thank you all men of conscience, together we will change the face of the future.
registrar@nationalbeardregistry.org www.nationalbeardregistry.org

*****************
Hear, Hear!

Les

[Prester John]

I just don't like to shave.

[Angus]

Me neither. Besides, who wants to shave in the middle of winter?

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

Who would have thought, Uncle Jesse (Dukes of Hazzard), Confucius, and Sigmund Freud, all on the same page!

[Angus]

Yeah but who's who?

[Eujeankilt]

I just don't like to shave.

In my last career as a motorcycle tech, my boss always quoted his father that "a man with a beard has something to hide". I kept trying to tell him I was hiding the fact that I hated to shave. Ah well..............


Dale

[cormacmacguardhe]

Just registered my beard, now to send off the picture. Great idea.

[Prester John]

Interestingly, an elderly lady left her group of friends and approached me one day while I was out walking with my wife, and asked why I had one. Then she stated the same "something to hide" thing.

When I explained that I was an Orthodox priest, and that we are canonically required to grow one, she continued pestering me about it, until we wished her a good day and left.

I had to before my wife, who had just about enough of that kind of rudeness, let her have it. She can wither a volcano if she wants to. This poor ol' gal would not have stood a chance.

People don't realize that the origin of shaving is vanity, to exhibit one's pretty face for the ladies (hence the canonical prescription against it)

[Wompet]

Interestingly, an elderly lady left her group of friends and approached me one day while I was out walking with my wife, and asked why I had one. Then she stated the same "something to hide" thing.

When I explained that I was an Orthodox priest, and that we are canonically required to grow one, she continued pestering me about it, until we wished her a good day and left.

I had to before my wife, who had just about enough of that kind of rudeness, let her have it. She can wither a volcano if she wants to. This poor ol' gal would not have stood a chance.

People don't realize that the origin of shaving is vanity, to exhibit one's pretty face for the ladies (hence the canonical prescription against it)

A couple of years ago in El Paso, a hispanic co-worker and I had an encounter with a large group of travelling Amish. When my colleague asked about their beards, one of the men replied that a married man must set aside the vanity of youth for the responsibilties of adulthood and family, and the beard represents this. They don't have mustaches, however, because among the "English" soldiers wear mustaches, so as a demonstration of their pacifism the Amish do the opposite.

A note - for those of you who don't know, all non-Amish are referred to as "English," and at one time among the English "English" it was more common for a current or former member of the military to wear a mustache than it would be for a civilian (pre-Amish emigration to North America).

[GMan]

OK I admit it, I have a beard. Cannot see myself with out it, it sets me apart from others (as if the kilt doesn't already). I just think I look better bearded and kilted.

The beard does make one appear more mature, and with that somewhat more responsible looking. But I am just a big kid with or without the beard.