We (I have one too) wear week-old beards because it's what most of the male movie stars and men interviewed on CNN have. 🧔‍♂️

1 hour ago, newbee2022 said:

Just curious: 2-3mm is almost shaved. Why not clean shaved, instead of having this hobo look? I doubt a girl would feel it being wonderful to kiss those stubbles.

As I said, just curious.

Thais don't do a whole lot of kissing versus a little bit of stubble, as that's a whole lot of scraping and scratching 😜

I don't think it's two or three millimeters, just number two or three on the shaver head.

Floating ads on the phone, annoying as hell. How do you people use your phone all the time, and I'm using voice to text.

If I had to use the phone to access AN all the time I'd make a lot of people happy, as I wouldn't be here.

Edited August 24Aug 24 by KhunLA

On 8/22/2026 at 5:45 PM, simon43 said:

such assumptions can be wrong,

What about for religious reasons, ie., Muslims

Beards are nasty IMO. Sweaty, food stained.

Most women, especially Thais can’t stand them and I don’t blame them with the very rare exception.

Most guys in Thailand can’t pull a it off. But then most guys living in Thailand are clueless and have no interest in their appearance or hygiene.

If it’s gray, shave that crap. Gray beards make you look 20 years older. You’re not Santa Claus.

Looking like a homeless guy isn’t cool.

Edited August 24Aug 24 by HolmesEquivelant

On 8/22/2026 at 7:25 PM, KhunLA said:

First 3 airlines I worked for, beards weren't allowed. Eight years of self employment, and I applied to airlines again, only to the two that allowed beards. Both hired me the same week 😂

One week for me, and my beard is half way grown in 🙄

Shaving mentioned several times in the thread. I assume that means using some form of bladed razor or electric razor or cordless item.

I gave up on hese items some years back and went to a hair removal cream - VEET, available in many pharmacies / some supermarkets, not expensive for the basic cream, not dangerous in any way, and easy to repeat.

• Wash your face well with shampoo or similar, and rinse well.

• Apply the VEET cream and rub it into the skin to ensure full coverage. NEVER USE MORE THAN RECOMMENDED ON THE TUBE, EXTRA CREAM CAN CAUSE BURNING ON THE SKIN SURFACE AND MAKE DARK PATCHES.

• Wait 6 or 7 minutes then use a small damp town, damp with just warm water, to remove the cream and any stubble with attach to the small towel and the cream will also remove the hair roots.

• Rinse very well, now all total smooth and soft.

• Darkness from new growth will start to appear after 6 or 7 days - apply the ceam again, after a few minutes remove the cream as above. Now full smooth again.

• So easy and effective, no big mess / no big clean up.

I do not have a beard, I shave daily with an occasional lapse. When I in my 20's I used an electric razor, but as I got older I found the results poorer and poorer, and when Mr Remington went down, I changed to wet shaving. I have been using Gillette Mach 3 for years, with their shaving gel... but it is mega expensive here! I tried to economise by using other brands and versions, including local disposables, and found them universally less comfortable to use, some to the point of pain, more likely to cut, and a poorer result.

I can quite understand why a beard is easier and cheaper than being clean shaven, but it's not for me.

I do not understand why Gillette product is so expensive... presumably it's the maximum the market will bear.

On 8/23/2026 at 10:11 AM, KhunLA said:

Much like dog

Yes, many farangs in Thailand look like them

On 8/22/2026 at 5:45 PM, simon43 said:

I can't figure it out. If I saw a man sporting a beard in north Norway, I'd understand that it helps to keep one's face warm (a la polar bear fur etc). But in Thailand? Why?

I tend to assume:

• If the man is bald, then they are self-conscious of this and trying an 'upsidedown' look....

• they are hiding a receding chin

• they are simply too lazy to shave (this is 95% the real reason!)

Of course, such assumptions can be wrong, but from meeting many men in Asia over the years (in a purely non-sexual manner!), I find that most fit into the above groups).

Up to them of course, but unless I was CEO of Arctic Command, I would never employ anyone who had a beard - females included.

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On 8/22/2026 at 9:58 PM, spidermike007 said:

Beards were an incredibly popular fad for a while and some men just don't understand how incredibly tired that whole phase is. if you're going for an Oregon Lumberjack look I guess that's a good thing to have on your face. Otherwise the vast majority of beards look pretty ridiculous, though there are some exceptions.

At one time you would find that the vast majority of guys who have facial hair it would be because they have unattractive faces. Now even good looking guys have beards. Most people are just sheep following fashion.

Hi Simon,

I have never sported a beard - I hate them!

I shave every 3 or 4 days using Gillete Shaving foam and either CO-OP or Morrissons disposable razors (both from the UK and available here in Siem Reap)

60 years ago when I commenced working in London, I used one of these every morning.....

Edited August 24Aug 24 by Burma Bill

Beards were mostly the standard MO for men pre-World War 1 as it was considered manly and if you look at almost any pictures from that era and before, then dudes, especially soldiers/miners/outdoor types etc. would be sporting one.

This all changed during WW1 because you couldn't get a seal on a gasmask and that would equal dying a horrible death, hence armies told their soldiers to start shaving and this is why these razor companies like Gillette became so big, as they supplied the razors to the trenches.

So, naturally, you got all these pictures of young soldiers with either a clean baby face or a really small tash, even Hitler's iconic toothbrush tash was a result of this too, as his was the long whiskers one to start with in early photos when a corporal.

After the war, the beard thing didn't come back as strong as before and the shaving thing kind of stuck, probably helped by advertising from razor companies and the rise of modern working habits and perceptions of presentation in office jobs etc. I suppose also that some of the ideals of some societies of the time that learned towards flawless presentation, like the National Socialists in Germany, Fascists in Italy, even the squeaky-clean democratic societies of the 20th century too found it as a presentable norm to be done.

Beards have made a bit of a comeback since the turn of the century and a desire to look more rugged has returned, hence the renewed popularity of short-cropped beards, even if the longer bushy style stuff is still rarer. Now it seems to be more designer ones or something managable and in the halfway-house style like the one Thor sports in the earlier Avenger's movies.

On 8/22/2026 at 11:45 AM, simon43 said:

I can't figure it out. If I saw a man sporting a beard in north Norway, I'd understand that it helps to keep one's face warm (a la polar bear fur etc). But in Thailand? Why?

I tend to assume:

• If the man is bald, then they are self-conscious of this and trying an 'upsidedown' look....

• they are hiding a receding chin

• they are simply too lazy to shave (this is 95% the real reason!)

Of course, such assumptions can be wrong, but from meeting many men in Asia over the years (in a purely non-sexual manner!), I find that most fit into the above groups).

Up to them of course, but unless I was CEO of Arctic Command, I would never employ anyone who had a beard - females included.

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23 hours ago, NewGuy said:

I am too lazy to shave. My wife uses clippers to trim the fuzz after a week or 10 days.

Fuzz has only one meaning for some of us:

22 hours ago, CallumWK said:

Follow me for more advices on bar girl tales.

You should write a book about your tall tales with Bar Girl. The perfect title is "Disgusting Old Man's adventures losing his life saving with Bar Girls".

6 minutes ago, TedG said:

You should write a book about your tall tales with Bar Girl. The perfect title is "Disgusting Old Man's adventures losing his life saving with Bar Girls".

So you suggest I write a book about your personal life?

1 minute ago, CallumWK said:

So you suggest I write a book about your personal life?

It would kill you will write about my successful life.

5 hours ago, NoshowJones said:

At one time you would find that the vast majority of guys who have facial hair it would be because they have unattractive faces. Now even good looking guys have beards. Most people are just sheep following fashion.

Often times beards and tattoos seem to go hand in hand, and the tattoos are such that they're very formulaic quite, typically. It's almost like wearing some sort of popular culture uniform.

On 8/23/2026 at 4:31 AM, GammaGlobulin said:

Food particles in the beard can lead to ant infestation.

There is no excuse of this.

Razors at Tops cost no more than 3 for about Baht 100.

Thiai people do not like Farang with beards.

Beards are only acceptable for hiding facial tattoos, which are one step down in disgustingness from the beard.

Bearded ladies are acceptable at a circus, or freak show.

On 8/23/2026 at 4:31 AM, GammaGlobulin said:

Food particles in the beard can lead to ant infestation.

There is no excuse of this.

Razors at Tops cost no more than 3 for about Baht 100.

Thiai people do not like Farang with beards.

Beards are only acceptable for hiding facial tattoos, which are one step down in disgustingness from the beard.

Bearded ladies are acceptable at a circus, or freak show.

I am female, so no real experience either way on the beard thing and let my husband decide on what he wants to do with his face. But, some of the statements on here about beards sound like people don't understand simple personal hygiene. I would imagine that someone with a beard would (hopefully) like someone without one wash thier face, so I doubt that ants and bacterial infections would be a issue. I also doubt that there is any long term medical studies that show whether a man having a beard or shaving over a lifetime has any effect on health. Why don't we just put it down to personal preference and let bygons be bygons.

7 minutes ago, Issan girl said:

I am female, so no real experience either way on the beard thing and let my husband decide on what he wants to do with his face. But, some of the statements on here about beards sound like people don't understand simple personal hygiene. I would imagine that someone with a beard would (hopefully) like someone without one wash thier face, so I doubt that ants and bacterial infections would be a issue. I also doubt that there is any long term medical studies that show whether a man having a beard or shaving over a lifetime has any effect on health. Why don't we just put it down to personal preference and let bygons be bygons.

facial hair acts as a natural shield that blocks up to 95% of harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun

That being said, sun exposure in the morning especially positively extends lifespan in a Swedish women study

5 minutes ago, Issan girl said:

I am female, so no real experience either way on the beard thing and let my husband decide on what he wants to do with his face. But, some of the statements on here about beards sound like people don't understand simple personal hygiene. I would imagine that someone with a beard would (hopefully) like someone without one wash thier face, so I doubt that ants and bacterial infections would be a issue. I also doubt that there is any long term medical studies that show whether a man having a beard or shaving over a lifetime has any effect on health. Why don't we just put it down to personal preference and let bygons be bygons.

I am surprised to learn you are female.

I had thought you were merely making a joke using your profile name.

CONCERNING your natural and understandable ignorance of what it is like to grow a beard, then I can tell you:

Skin infections can be a problem, due to having a beard, no matter how many times one might shampoo it, each day.

Do you doubt me?

IF you doubt me, do you have any personal empirical evidence to state otherwise?

I once had a beard....or....

Should I say.....

The beard once had me.

Please get back to me.....once you have grown your own beard......

From the song: I sat on his rug......etc.....

And she started to laugh.....

Edited August 25Aug 25 by GammaGlobulin

22 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Thais don't do a whole lot of kissing versus a little bit of stubble, as that's a whole lot of scraping and scratching 😜

I don't think it's two or three millimeters, just number two or three on the shaver head.

Floating ads on the phone, annoying as hell. How do you people use your phone all the time, and I'm using voice to text.

If I had to use the phone to access AN all the time I'd make a lot of people happy, as I wouldn't be here.

A well kept beard is fine and presents a clean look regardless of length. I bet your beard was well groomed most of the time.

A spotty and unkept beard is a tell. All people that have unkempt beards aren't depressed but in many cases they are struggling. We all have known individuals that fit this type. I can't think of one person I've met the last few years that had a spotty an untrimmed beard that wasn't struggling.

13 minutes ago, Issan girl said:

I am female, so no real experience either way on the beard thing and let my husband decide on what he wants to do with his face. But, some of the statements on here about beards sound like people don't understand simple personal hygiene. I would imagine that someone with a beard would (hopefully) like someone without one wash thier face, so I doubt that ants and bacterial infections would be a issue. I also doubt that there is any long term medical studies that show whether a man having a beard or shaving over a lifetime has any effect on health. Why don't we just put it down to personal preference and let bygons be bygons.

Many studies showing that people with unkempt facial hairs is correlated to depression. Easy to find them.

I agree, if a beard is cleaned and is trimmed then bacteria isn't an issue. Following a healthy routine is why many happy successful people have beards. If my wife had a beard that was dirty which in the tropics would be common, I would have hard time kissing her. Just my preference and to each his or hers own :)

Not just here. Like tattoos, it is a current trend that has become popular in recent years. Often the two go together.

Of course, another reason could be that razors have become too expensive. 🙂

Edited August 25Aug 25 by phetphet

24 minutes ago, atpeace said:

Following a healthy routine is why many happy successful people have beards.

On the other hand.....speaking of happiness.....in terms of the most FAMOUS bearded on in modern history......

It is arguable that this bearded one brought more unhappiness to modern-day humans than, even, KARL MARX....

Fortunately; GROUCHO MARX made up for these two very depressing pair.

Fortunately, Groucho was smart enough to stop at just a thin mustache.

32 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

On the other hand.....speaking of happiness.....in terms of the most FAMOUS bearded on in modern history......

It is arguable that this bearded one brought more unhappiness to modern-day humans than, even, KARL MARX....

Fortunately; GROUCHO MARX made up for these two very depressing pair.

Fortunately, Groucho was smart enough to stop at just a thin mustache.

Freud was actually pretty on about his ideas listed there. I'm sure you realize Groucho's mustache and eyebrows were fake and painted on for much of his life until he was on "You Bet Your Life", where he then grew a mustache. Karl Marx did have depression.

Edited August 25Aug 25 by fredwiggy

8 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

Freud was actually pretty on about his ideas listed there. I'm sure you realize Groucho's mustache and eyebrows were fake and painted on for much of his life until he was on "You Bet Your Life", where he then grew a mustache. Karl Marx did have depression.

There is a Thai guy across the street that is popular and nice but everyone avoids him at eating time that has the Marx type of beard. I could never enjoy a meal with him unless it was not moist in the least. Watching him eat soup is beyond disgusting. His wife just left him and it was all over Facebook group. She just could handle his hygiene.

Well groomed beards are fine and can eat with these idividuals.

2 minutes ago, atpeace said:

There is a Thai guy across the street that is popular and nice but everyone avoids him at eating time that has the Marx type of beard. I could never enjoy a meal with him unless it was not moist in the least. Watching him eat soup is beyond disgusting. His wife just left him and it was all over Facebook group. She just could handle his hygiene.

Well groomed beards are fine and can eat with these idividuals.

True.If you're going to have facial hair, at least make it well groomed. My best friend, a drinker all his life, has always had the ZZ Top type of beard. Straight down and ungroomed. He actually looks better shaven, but that's his deal. It must be a pain in the arse trying to keep food and drink out of a thick beard.

22 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

I'm sure you realize Groucho's mustache and eyebrows were fake

No they weren't.

I do not believe it.

If you can believe in God, or gods...then....

I can believe in Groucho's mustache, and also a Teapot.

Edited August 25Aug 25 by GammaGlobulin

14 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

No they weren't.

I do not believe it.

If you can believe in God, or gods...then....

I can believe in Groucho's mustache, and also a Teapot.

I believe in the one God, and Groucho's mustaches and eyebrows were grease paint, which is plainly obvious , which is why I thought you already knew this

Yes, Groucho Marx's iconic mustache was originally fake—he painted it on with black greasepaint.

• Early Vaudeville: Early in his stage career, he used a traditional glued-on, furry fake mustache.

• The Greasepaint Accident: According to his autobiography, he started painting it on with greasepaint around 1921 when he was running late and had no time to glue a real fake one on.

• The Eyebrows: Because the painted mustache did not match his real eyebrows, he also used the greasepaint to draw on thick, matching eyebrows. [

• Real Mustache Later On: He kept the painted-on look for most of his movie career because it was faster and less irritating to remove. However, by the late 1940s and when hosting his television quiz show You Bet Your Life, he finally grew a real mustache. ...................https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groucho_glasses

2 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

I believe in the one God, and Groucho's mustaches and eyebrows were grease paint, which is plainly obvious , which is why I thought you already knew this

HORSEFEATHERS....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I never knew this, nor believed this.....because.....

I never thought that Groucho would ever stoop so low......

And, I still believe.