In general: And I say that smiling because some people just like to be different

Soaps tend to give better Glide.

Creams tend to give better Cushion.

For some reason and I think maybe because soaps are actually a bit harder to lather I tend to start beginners with soaps, I figure they need to work it out... Also that slightly better glide might help just a tiny bit when beginning...

My personal opinion is that every Newb should start with a puck of Williams and work through it, because by the time your done with that first puck you will know how to lather anything