Matt

Bearded since: 2012. I am a dedicated, permanent beard grower.

Comments:
Why did I grow my beard? I'm a chef by trade. After repeated attempts by my employer to require that I wear a beard guard In the kitchen for my (at the time) decent sized goatee. I decided I would wear it, and not only that ,but wouldn't shave at all for at least one year. Hey, if I must wear the thing...let's fill it up. Mission accomplished.

How do I feel about my beard? Well, the story above aside. I feel that it keeps away just the type of people I have no desire to know in the first place. So this, along with being covered with (tasteful) tattoos, I'm able to weed out the types I spoke of. Which isn't to say I'm gruff or rude to anyone, quite the opposite actually. I'm also a sixteen year Veteran of the U.S. Navy, I have been taking note of how many vets are growing beads these days. Interesting trend. I guess you could say my beard is a filter in some respects. I am pleased with this and have no plans to shave it off any time in the future although, I am going to have it shaped this week since I have no a neck line or chin line to speak of.