Here’s what got me thinking about this. I’ve never had a beard for more than 4 days. Ever. I once made it to day four while I was painting a house, but my beard got so damn itchy in the hot sun that I took it off that night. Well, I’ve got a big block of vacation I’m planning to take this summer, and I thought about actually growing another one, and grooming it. I figured it’d be kinda cool, which got me thinking about goatees.
I was talking to a bud today at work about this, and he mentioned it was one of those “single signals”. I said “WTF? Besides the lack of a marriage ring, I thought there were no physical or otherwise outward single signals. . .” He said there were some, but he couldn’t remember anymore.
So am I retarded having been fishing without the right bait, or is he full of shit? What the hell else could possibly be condidered a “single signal”?
I decided I’m going to grow a goatee anyway. I want one this summer.
Tripler
Reevaluating his tactics as we speak . . .
I had a goatee for two years in college, and had no problem with my love life at the time. I also cultivated a beard from late 99 to mid 2000, again with no ill effects. I’m hesitant to say it’s a single signal, given my usual problems with women. (I usually shave every four to five days- a scar under my chin makes shaving a hassle, so I try to pull off that rugged-stubble look. I think I fail.)
Other single signals? Mismatching clothes is usually a dead giveaway. I was slowly taught (through negative reinforcement) that plaids and stripes do not mesh well.
Goatees are a sign of being single? I haven’t shaved or trimmed mine since May and I’ve been single the whole time. All four inches are coming off in a few weeks but I don’t see myself being any less single in the next two years.
Now that’s something I haven’t heard before. I’ve had a goatee and mustache for quite a while and I never really thought of it as a signal for anything. I just think I look better with a it.
Now, does this have anything to do with the wedding ring stereotype? As in, a man with a wedding ring is more attractive. This makes sense; if the goatee is the equivillent to no wedding ring, then that’s why the ladies have been staying away. Unless movies and television have been lying to me…na.
Is it more of a “single and available signal”. Like, I saw that episode on TLC where Polynesian tribes have women that wear a flower in one ear saying “I’m hitched. Take a hike.” and in the other saying, “I’m available.”
There’s gotta be some sorta link here. Maybe it’s idle bar talk, but I’m sure there’s a pattern here somewhere.
Tripler
But then again, look at me. What the hell do I know?
I’ve been married for over 18 years. I just grew a goatee over the last year. I shaved it off once, but my wife and kids liked it so much, they wanted me to grow it back.
I’ve got gray hair there. It drives me crazy, but everyone likes it.
Actually, (and I’m sure some other Doperchicks will agree with me) if I find out a guy I am interested in has an SO, I rapidly lose interest. Not immediately, but it’ll go away. My logic is thus: if he’s faithful, then he’s not gonna cheat on her, anyway, and if he’s not faithful, then why would I want to date an unfaithful guy?
As for the OP, no idea. It’s pretty easy to tell once you get inside his refrigerator, (single guy: mustard and beer) but no facial hair clues. The only thing I can think of that relates is a Calladaugh ring (too tired to look up the spelling…) heart towards you means you’re taken, heart turned away means it’s still searching. Or something.
What you said makes a lot of sense, SwimmingRiddles. I wasn’t sure about it, though. I’ve seen it in movies (just saw it in one the other night, actually) and it always seems to be a cliche that comes up. But it seems so much of a cliche that it couldn’t be true. Then again, stranger things have happened, and I don’t have enough experience to know. But I thought it was most likely just a stereotype.
I wouldn’t try the it anyway, though. Dishonesty is the worst way to start any relationship.
That’s exactly what it means, thought not many people know what they even are. FWIW, I’ve always seen it spelled “Claddagh”. Too many people have seen mine and thought it was some cutesy little-girl ring.
On the hair thing: I love goatees, but only when they’re thin enough to see the chin. If you can’t see the chin, it’s a beard and beards don’t do it for me. Of course, any chin hair is going to prickle, and that can be unpleasant on sensitive skin.
I think wearing a goat means you like livestock a little TOO much, Trip. Maybe those NoDaks have strange customs to keep themselves warm, or because the sheep are scared, but all in all, maintain your bearing. If you REALLY want a goat this summer, there are websites out there to lead the way to barnyard bliss.
Oh. goatEE. [Rosanna Rosanna Dana voice] Never mind.[/Rosanna Rosanna Dana voice]
Of the seven 24-36 year old guys I work with, pretty much all of them have or have had (on and off, so to speak) a goatee and all but 2 are married, and one of the single guys has an SO.
I think it’s just a style/fad/whatever that guys play along with as they have the time and inclination. Most of the guys that have them shouldn’t, in my opinion. Just looks like they missed a spot shaving.
I like my husband to wear a beard, though. He keeps it short and groomed nicely and it really just shows up the wonderful angles of his cheekbones and jaw. Yummmm!
