# What do you think of big bushy beards? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 9, 2019, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-big-bushy-beards/835239 "2019-06-09T01:16:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2019, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-big-bushy-beards/835239/21 "2019-06-09T15:20:29Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I thought all catfish had whiskers? 🙂 That’s [_barbels!_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbel_(anatomy)) ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2019, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-big-bushy-beards/835239/22 "2019-06-09T16:33:39Z")
Personally, I prefer a groomed beard, tho a little fuller isn’t bad. I don’t find big, bushy ones or really long ones particularly appealing. On the other hand, no one needs to appeal to me except my husband, and he and I tend to agree on his beard length. I will concede that there are some men who can carry the big beard look. But in the grand scheme of things, it’s really none of my business and not my call. Just as the way I wear my hair is my choice, whether anyone else likes it or not. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2019, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-big-bushy-beards/835239/23 "2019-06-09T20:50:40Z")
Big bushy beards look good on some people. For example, are you a gold prospector? If so, I’m totally with the bushy beard thing. Mad Russian monk? Sure. The same goes for sidekicks out west. And, I guess, ZZ Top. Other than that, I got nothin’. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2019, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-big-bushy-beards/835239/24 "2019-06-09T21:03:22Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > Big bushy beards look good on some people. For example, are you a gold prospector? If so, I’m totally with the bushy beard thing. Mad Russian monk? Sure. The same goes for sidekicks out west. And, I guess, ZZ Top. > > Other than that, I got nothin’. No, I think all those mentioned look goofy as all get out. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2019, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-big-bushy-beards/835239/25 "2019-06-09T21:46:13Z")
Around here I always think ‘Duck Dynasty’, when I see a full, long beard. South Arkansas is close to W.Monroe, La. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2019, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-big-bushy-beards/835239/26 "2019-06-09T23:50:06Z")
I think they are really annoying to eat with, and will be shaving mine off soon, after I show it off tomorrow. I mostly only did it to see if it would ever actually start growing long, since I would go without shaving for months and it wouldn’t. But it finally did. Though I’ll need to shape it to really show the length. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2019, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-big-bushy-beards/835239/27 "2019-06-09T23:56:30Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > The same goes for sidekicks out west. _judges you in Gabby Hayes_ ---
**Author:** ![pool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pool/32/4152_2.png) [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2019, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-big-bushy-beards/835239/28 "2019-06-10T00:02:47Z")
The OP often complains of his health problems so I mentally picture you as sort of decrepit looking, sorry if that’s an incorrect assumption. Wouldn’t a big bushy beard just make you look ancient. Also what does your husband/partner or whatever think of the idea? Just curious. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2019, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-big-bushy-beards/835239/29 "2019-06-10T00:28:31Z")
[BTW, here is an excellent example of what a scraggly beard does to an older guy.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/12/02/13/2EF8717100000578-0-image-a-3_1449063227411.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2019, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-big-bushy-beards/835239/30 "2019-06-10T00:32:16Z")
Once it gets white I would say _ **SANTA!!!** _ ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2019, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-big-bushy-beards/835239/31 "2019-06-10T00:39:46Z")
I don’t like them and generally don’t like facial hair, although scruffy is HOT on most guys. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2019, 8:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-big-bushy-beards/835239/32 "2019-06-10T08:50:17Z")
Oh, I’m the opposite - I don’t like “scruffy” if by that you mean the 2-4 day beard stubble that seems to have become popular in some contexts. I’m like, either shave it or grow it but don’t remain undecided. In my head. Because, like I said, it’s his hair he can wear it the way he wants and I won’t say even a peep in public. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2019, 9:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-big-bushy-beards/835239/33 "2019-06-10T09:21:43Z")
> [@pool](#): > > The OP often complains of his health problems so I mentally picture you as sort of decrepit looking, sorry if that’s an incorrect assumption. Wouldn’t a big bushy beard just make you look ancient. Also what does your husband/partner or whatever think of the idea? Just curious. I am not at all decrepit looking; I have the appearance of a man in his late 50s. My husband is leaving it entirely up to me; he’ll love me no matter what. ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2019, 9:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-big-bushy-beards/835239/34 "2019-06-10T09:33:26Z")
Big bushy beards remind me of that family guy episode where the father had a bird living in it and it’d steal his popcorn. So, that’s pretty cool actually. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2019, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-big-bushy-beards/835239/35 "2019-06-10T11:22:32Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > [BTW, here is an excellent example of what a scraggly beard does to an older guy.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/12/02/13/2EF8717100000578-0-image-a-3_1449063227411.jpg) He looks better with the beard, imo. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2019, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-big-bushy-beards/835239/36 "2019-06-10T11:29:00Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > It’s a “thing" for younger guys. It just makes older guys look old. My beard is usually a bit longer than Letterman’s. I don’t get the “makes you look old” thing. You know what makes _me_ look old? Being old. I’m 61. A woman I know told me I should shave, because I’d look ten years younger. Why would I want to look ten years younger, though? ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2019, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-big-bushy-beards/835239/37 "2019-06-10T12:19:45Z")
Since you ask - I don’t like them. Groomed and trimmed is one thing, bushy is another. I generally assume Unabomber/survivalist/homeless person. > [@panache45](#): > > I am not at all decrepit looking; I have the appearance of a man in his late 50s. My husband is leaving it entirely up to me; he’ll love me no matter what. And therefore my opinion matters not even a tiny bit. Practice saying “ho ho ho” and you’re golden. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2019, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-big-bushy-beards/835239/38 "2019-06-10T12:36:34Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Practice saying “ho ho ho” and you’re golden. A full white beard doesn’t always work out that way. One of the construction workers I see at the hospital is an older, tall, overweight guy with a glowering expression who has such a beard, but he doesn’t bring to mind Santa. Instead, think “Satanic Father Christmas”. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2019, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-big-bushy-beards/835239/39 "2019-06-10T13:28:14Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > [BTW, here is an excellent example of what a scraggly beard does to an older guy.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/12/02/13/2EF8717100000578-0-image-a-3_1449063227411.jpg) I think it’d look better if it were trimmed a little so the edges were cleaner but you have have a “big bushy beard” without it being scraggly. I generally think a longer/larger beard is fine if its otherwise well kept. I can’t grow one that large myself (and wouldn’t want one) but they don’t bother me. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2019, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-big-bushy-beards/835239/40 "2019-06-10T14:30:21Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > My beard is usually a bit longer than Letterman’s. I don’t get the “makes you look old” thing. You know what makes _me_ look old? Being old. I’m 61. A woman I know told me I should shave, because I’d look ten years younger. Why would I want to look ten years younger, though? That’s exactly what I’m thinking. I already look 15 years younger than my age. Even if the beard makes me look my age - or even older - so what? I am what I am. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-big-bushy-beards/835239.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-big-bushy-beards/835239.md?page=3)