Unshaven masses

Ok, maybe it's because of my new awareness of "proper" shaving techniques (not that I'm anywhere close to mastering said techniques) or maybe it's just my general curmudgeonliness, but what's up with so many people going unshaven and scraggly as of late? Am I the only person that looks at these guys and thinks "my God man, have some pride in your appearance"?

I met with a couple of recruiters that are helping me in my job search (I'm leaving eBay as soon as I find another job that is more commute-friendly) and both of these guys were prototypical silicon valley geeks. They were interesting and smart guys, but both of them had at least 2 or 3 days growth. This, on top of their typical silicon valley nerdly pallor made them look one step above being homeless. I kept wanting to give them the SRP URL or maybe bust out a razor and shave them on the spot. It was really hard to take them seriously because I kept fixating on it.

Am I sick? Demented? Or am I just getting old and one step away from shouting "You kids get off my lawn" while I'm busting out the garden hose? My fiancee already calls me her "sweet GOM" (GOM being "grumpy old man") so I'm suspecting the latter.

-- Gary F.

If you had to shave with a Fusion or electric you'd be unshaven too.

I guess I'm heading grumpy old manhood too.

The ones that really tick me off are these gizillionaire actors like Tom Cruise. I want grab them and yell,

"Hey Ace, why don't you stand a little closer to your razor?"

I'm surprised, especially in California. I thought the metrosexual trend would be stronger there. Here in Toronto, people usually get fairly close shaves. There is one more explanation -- the climate:
If it's hot and you're sweating like a pig, no matter what you shave with, the sweat will cause some irritation. Therefore you avoid shaving in the summer. It would be better for me as well, but I just can't resist it :cry:

While I was reading yesterday on some websites trying to find some cologne I saw a link on a Men's site saying that facial hair and fancy design is coming back.

Maybe it is.......

I had a Gotee for 5 years and never thought of shaving my hhead bald but seems like I woke up one day and got rid of everything. LOL I went to the other end of the "In Thing."

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Originally Posted by gfoster

[...]
I met with a couple of recruiters that are helping me in my job search [...]
I kept wanting to [...] maybe bust out a razor and shave them on the spot.[...]

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Hmm. Sounds to me like you're considering an alternative career as a barber ;)

Gary,
Welcome to the wonderful world of crumongeondom. Soon you'll stop worrying about what others might think about your opinions and you will offer them up as the pearls of wisdom you know that they are.
I've still retained some self control (so far). You can imagine the tirades I could go off on given the fact that I teach a bunch of 21-22 year-old college seniors studying Forestry. Besides myself, often the only clean shaven people in my classroom are the young women.

Ed

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Originally Posted by Library Guy

"Hey Ace, Why don't you stand a little closer to your razor?"

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LOL I have to remember this saying. I love it.

yer right, bein out in the heat all day does cause mega irritation, especially on my neck, so i usually dont worry to much about shaving for work.......

-micah

Larry,
You won't have to remember it, shortly you'll be hearing it pretty regularly. The first time I heard this particular phrase, it was being shouted by a drill sergent at one of my platoon members during basic training in the winter of 1981 at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri.

Fond memories...NOT (even so I stayed in for 22 years).

Ed

Were you in the Army?

I am going to miss my straight razor while I am in Basic :( , I was thinking of buying myself something nice shaving wise when I get out. Maybe by them I can get Bill to custom make me something. Guess I will have ot wait and see what happens.

Reasons for the few days growth.

Don't like shaving.

Laziness.

They think that it looks cool.

They just don't give a damn.


Terry

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Originally Posted by mparker762

If you had to shave with a Fusion or electric you'd be unshaven too.

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:roflmao Very true

Actually I used to be one of those guys who always had one or two days growth because I thought it made me look rugged and cool. That all started though because my skin got so irritated when I shaved that I would do anything NOT to shave, so I used a hair trimmer and kept my 2 days growth year round.

Then I found DE shaving and suddenly it was the smoothness that got me, then I found SR shaving and it was the act itself....for instance I dont really care that I have a huge gash in my chin right now (thats not normal lol, usually I shave well), because I love the shave so much its not even about the look anymore its about the shave.

But yes I noticed that once I started to pamper myself with shaving and good smelling creams and soap, I started to dress neater (not that I ever was a slob) and feel more professional and distinguished just walking down the street....so maybe what you are feeling Gary is pride in your appearance and noticing all the other guys that just dont get it or dont understand it because they dont have a ritual. I mean most women I know dont want to get blow dry their hair or get dressed up if they arent putting on makeup...I guess thats how I feel about shaving...when I pamper myself shaving, the rest of my attitude and dress gets better as well.

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Originally Posted by pitbulls20

Were you in the Army?

I am going to miss my straight razor while I am in Basic :( , I was thinking of buying myself something nice shaving wise when I get out. Maybe by them I can get Bill to custom make me something. Guess I will have ot wait and see what happens.

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Don't know much about Navy basic, but if it's anything like Army basic (granted alot of years ago), you won't have the time or energy to miss much of anything. Good luck,
Ed

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Originally Posted by ForestryProf

Don't know much about Navy basic, but if it's anything like Army basic (granted alot of years ago), you won't have the time or energy to miss much of anything. Good luck,
Ed

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pitbulls20,

Ed's right (again). Don't worry, those 8 weeks'll go by pretty fast (it's still 8 weeks, right?). I would say bring one with you anyway, but
1) they've probably already told you exactly what to bring and that didn't include a straight or even a shave brush/soap,
2) they're gonna test your patience by giving you exactly 5 minutes to shower, shave (with only water), and get dressed. I don't think anyone here would want to try that with a straight. And
3) you don't want ANY reason for the CC's (company commanders) to single you out. Remember, you're only supposed to be just one cog in a big boot camp wheel.

Good luck and be proud of yourself; I know we are.

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Originally Posted by ForestryProf

Besides myself, often the only clean shaven people in my classroom are the young women.
Ed

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And that's not always true. I have young female cousin who's decided to go "European" I'm told. :hmmm:

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Originally Posted by ForestryProf

Gary,
Welcome to the wonderful world of crumongeondom. Soon you'll stop worrying about what others might think about your opinions and you will offer them up as the pearls of wisdom you know that they are.
I've still retained some self control (so far). You can imagine the tirades I could go off on given the fact that I teach a bunch of 21-22 year-old college seniors studying Forestry. Besides myself, often the only clean shaven people in my classroom are the young women.

Ed

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I'd have to second that observation. One of my duties as a graduate student is to teach freshman composition, i.e. English 101. Even though Idaho's a fairly conservative state with a strong religious community, the number of unshorn and unshaven kids is quite large. I suppose it's their way of stickin it to the man.

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Originally Posted by cloudwilliam

Even though Idaho's a fairly conservative state with a strong religious community, the number of unshorn and unshaven kids is quite large. I suppose it's their way of stickin it to the man.

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The rule against shaving while intoxicated may play in here, though that presupposes a level of responsibility that is probably absent.

I don't remember beards, long hair or even general scruffiness being much in vogue when I was in school. But then I went to Texas A&M, and at the time the culture and traditions were still very much influenced by the Corps. Most of the area barbers only knew how to give crew cuts.

i'm pretty sure it's just a current trend. honestly, though, if i was to have anything but a clean shaven face, i'd rather it was full growth. in my humble and about-to-rustle-some-feathers opinion, sculpted facial hair looks way silly-er than unchecked growth. my least favorite is the donut, as my friends and i call it. i should say i make exception to any rule for solo moustaches, though. those are awesome.

it seems like the unshaven thing is part of a larger trend right now that also comprises an indecently soft (socrates' words, not mine) or skinny body, and a generally unkempt appearance--unshaven, pale as death, greasy hair, and a gentle scoliosis forward curve to the shoulders that lack even enough muscle to counterbalance the tension of the tiny pectorals and pull them back. guys have abandoned any real sense of masculinity and abdicated their place on the male side of what i think is a very well thought out sexual dimorphism. personally, i'm tired of it. damn hippies.