# Goatees and other "I'm single!" signals. . . **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 21, 2001, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goatees-and-other-im-single-signals/58814 "2001-03-21T03:39:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2001, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goatees-and-other-im-single-signals/58814/1 "2001-03-21T03:39:44Z")
Alright, 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 . . . ---
**Author:** ![lno](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a8b319/32.png) [@lno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lno)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2001, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goatees-and-other-im-single-signals/58814/2 "2001-03-21T03:48:31Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Dragwyr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dragwyr/32/2855_2.png) [@Dragwyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dragwyr)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2001, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goatees-and-other-im-single-signals/58814/3 "2001-03-21T03:57:46Z")
I’ve been sporting a ghotee since New Years Day. If it is a sign of being single, I hope my wife doesn’t mind. It started out being itchy, but stopped after about 3 weeks. My wife doesn’t really like it, but she tolerates it. I grew it because I’m a magician and I figured I needed to look more mystical. It did the trick to. ---
**Author:** ![JuanDeCuba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a87d85/32.png) [@JuanDeCuba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JuanDeCuba)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2001, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goatees-and-other-im-single-signals/58814/4 "2001-03-21T04:20:26Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2001, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goatees-and-other-im-single-signals/58814/5 "2001-03-21T04:22:05Z")
I don’t think a goatee really is symbolic of singlitude. I have one and I’m single, but the two other guys I know with goatees are both married. ---
**Author:** ![silent\_rob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@silent\_rob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silent_rob)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2001, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goatees-and-other-im-single-signals/58814/6 "2001-03-21T04:34:39Z")
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. _Rob goes off to get a razor_ ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2001, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goatees-and-other-im-single-signals/58814/7 "2001-03-21T05:14:37Z")
Hmm, I’ll rephrase. . . 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? ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2001, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goatees-and-other-im-single-signals/58814/8 "2001-03-21T05:16:34Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Montfort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Montfort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Montfort)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2001, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goatees-and-other-im-single-signals/58814/9 "2001-03-21T05:35:42Z")
Hmm, I suppose I should [shave mine off](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=64325). 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Medea\_s\_Child](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@Medea\_s\_Child](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Medea_s_Child)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2001, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goatees-and-other-im-single-signals/58814/10 "2001-03-21T05:39:11Z")
A goatee is not a single sign. In fact, on my beloved hoodlum its very a sign he’s with me because I love them and he grows his for me. (Mine!) ---
**Author:** ![SwimmingRiddles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@SwimmingRiddles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SwimmingRiddles)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2001, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goatees-and-other-im-single-signals/58814/11 "2001-03-21T06:01:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by silent\_rob \* > \*\* > 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. > > _Rob goes off to get a razor_ \*\* 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. ---
**Author:** ![silent\_rob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@silent\_rob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silent_rob)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2001, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goatees-and-other-im-single-signals/58814/12 "2001-03-21T06:59:14Z")
**Montfort** 🙂 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. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2001, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goatees-and-other-im-single-signals/58814/13 "2001-03-21T07:01:24Z")
I thought goatees were meant to mean you’re gay. In which case, women would stay away. I dunno. Women stay away from me no matter what facial hair situation I am in. ---
**Author:** ![soulmurk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b782af/32.png) [@soulmurk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/soulmurk)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2001, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goatees-and-other-im-single-signals/58814/14 "2001-03-21T07:06:16Z")
It’s been my experience that most women do not like facial hair because it is usually coarse and scratchy and not very smooch promoting. ---
**Author:** ![Palmyra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/57b2e6/32.png) [@Palmyra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palmyra)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2001, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goatees-and-other-im-single-signals/58814/15 "2001-03-21T07:06:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SwimmingRiddles \* > **The only thing I can think of that relates is a Calladaugh ring … heart towards you means you’re taken, heart turned away means it’s still searching.** 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. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Ross](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e274bd/32.png) [@Ross](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ross)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2001, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goatees-and-other-im-single-signals/58814/16 "2001-03-21T07:21:28Z")
Always thought it was because only single men devote that kind of time and energy to their looks. Guess I better start cleaning myself up. ---
**Author:** ![JuanDeCuba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a87d85/32.png) [@JuanDeCuba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JuanDeCuba)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2001, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goatees-and-other-im-single-signals/58814/17 "2001-03-21T12:56:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by GuanoLad \* > \*\*I thought goatees were meant to mean you’re gay. In which case, women would stay away. > \*\* The women have been staying away but I hope thats not what it means (sorry, no picture on the web to link to yet). ---
**Author:** ![lurkernomore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@lurkernomore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lurkernomore)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2001, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goatees-and-other-im-single-signals/58814/18 "2001-03-21T14:14:41Z")
Thought the goatee only ensured singleness if you were female… ---
**Author:** ![UncleBill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d26b3c/32.png) [@UncleBill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBill)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2001, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goatees-and-other-im-single-signals/58814/19 "2001-03-21T14:51:46Z")
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] ---
**Author:** ![TroubleAgain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e480ec/32.png) [@TroubleAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroubleAgain)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2001, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goatees-and-other-im-single-signals/58814/20 "2001-03-21T16:08:22Z")
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! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goatees-and-other-im-single-signals/58814.md?page=2)