4 RULES TO FOLLOW WHEN YOU'RE IN THE COMPANY OF A BEARDED GENTLEMAN

When I meet new folks for the first time sometimes there's usually an air of awkwardness where you find yourself fishing your brain for fitting small talk subjects to roll out a good conversation. Usually the individual I am greeting with often throw out a comment or two in regards to my beard, which is an instant winner 99% of the time. Today, I wanted to lightheartedly discuss some ice breaking rules and suggestions on how to greet a bearded fellow, so without further ado, here are 4 Rules To Follow When You're In The Company Of A Bearded Gentleman...

YOU SHOULD ALWAYS COMPLEMENT THE BEARD!

A sure start winner in my opinion is to fire some smart compliment about a man's beard, as you know for sure that his beard is likely to be his pride and joy. So letting him know you dig that beard too will break the ice just nicely. I've been greeted with the 'Oh you got a beard!' line more times then I care to count, which is not only pointing out the obvious, but leaves little choice of return in conversation too. The other point people like to remind me of frequently is 'Your beard is ginger!' ....NO SHIT SHERLOCK! In short, if your dig a guy's beard let him know, he will thank you for it.

YOU CAN LOOK BUT YOU'D BETTER NOT TOUCH!

This is the biggest rule breaker everyone repeatedly seems to break. When you meet a beardy for the first time, it's never a good call to reach out and grab his face fuzz without asking him first. I appreciate that most beards look super warm, fuzzy and rather welcoming, but most bearded gents don't appreciate it when you reach out and touch it without asking first. Yeah, we often like the attention, as do our beards, but all we ask is that you kindly ask before you do. Usually the question 'Can I touch your beard?' gets asked when the person has already began having a good grope (of the beard that is, keep it clean mucky mind!) which instantly renders the question at hand useless. But don't be afraid to ask! We love a good groping every now and then! (again, of the the beard!)

ALWAYS BE POLITE, AS THERE IS NO PLACE FOR YOU TO BE RUDE!

Sometimes we unfortunately meet the small minority of individuals that don't dig beards, (I know, I find this hard to believe too!) and rather annoyingly these folks seem rather happy to voice their disapproval with harsh and unfiltered insults about beards in your direction. Listen, I get that not everybody you meet in life are going to have the same level of appreciation of facial hair as yourself. But that doesn't give those who dislike beards the greenlight to be outright offensive. I was raised to be respectful to everybody in equal measures, that is until someone disrespects you, then all rules go out of the window. I wouldn't dream of approaching a blonde lady sat at the bar and begin verbally attacking everyone who is blonde in conversation, simply because I dislike blondes. (Of which I don't by the way!) It's not only rude but is highly disrespectful too. So, if you meet a beard at the bar, supermarket checkout, bus stop or anywhere else for that matter, remember to be polite, as I'm sure you'd expect the same in return. Afterall, it costs nothing to be nice.

DON'T LABEL OUR BEARDS A FAD, PHASE OR ANYTHING ELSE FOR THAT MATTER!

Unfortunately the media seems to rather enjoy poking fun at our beards at any given opportunity, from horror stories like the 'POOP IN MY BEARD!' nonsense that went viral, to labelling us bearded ones as untrustworthy liars, it does seem a touch overkill to promote such negativity in our direction simply because we choose to live the bearded lifestyle. Another sad statistic is that people read such garbage and assume it to be true, labeling facial hair as 'fad' or 'phase' suggesting the 'beard boom trend' will soon disappear when it becomes unfashionable to be bearded. Let's straighten this up real quick, many of us bearded kind don't grow out our face forests to fit in with the latest trend, nor do we view our beards as a fad or phase. Our beards are a much loved part of us, an extension of our character and personality, and damn, don't they just look fuckin fantastic too!

Well, that's another beard blog coming to an end for today my bearded friends and furry faced admirers! If you have any beard related thoughts, comments or questions then please leave us your feedback in the box you'll find provided below.