I feel like I have expressed the way that I feel about mustaches and the benefits of having one, so I am not going to beat on the same drum again by trying to convince you. Instead, I think that I should show how many different mustache styles there are out there. For those of you thinking about growing one, the first thing to do is decide what kind of mustache will work best for you. Here is a link that shows a broad variety of mustache styles that might suit you, courtesy of the American Mustache Institute (AMI).
http://www.americanmustacheinstitute.org/MustacheStyles.aspx
For those of you who are overachievers here is something that you might want to aim for in the future.
http://www.worldbeardchampionships.com/history/
Here is a video of a past competition as well.
Here is another video that I found which could be helpful for those considering how to start growing one.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
Reason #6
I should start off by saying that right now my wife is wearing a huge sun hat that looks completely ridiculous. As a gentleman I am supposed to refrain from commenting, because otherwise I would be in the "dog house." Why is it that if I wore something like that, or any man in general, she would be allowed to say something about how bad it looks but I can't say anything to her? I thought our country was all about equal rights and privileges for men and women, but when it comes to style experimentation, especially with hair, the situation is anything but equal. It's interesting that women can cut and dye their hair in all kinds of bizarre colors and shapes, but men aren't allowed the same freedom of hair experimentation without serious social repercussions. While I say this, I do recognize that there has been an increasing number of men who have been growing their hair out and making changes like wearing a mustache or beard, but the percentage of men who get away with this is very small.
The most common response when I ask someone why they don't try and grow a mustache is that they don't have permission from their significant other. I hate to break it to you, but for the most part, women are completely unfair with their hair experimentation standards. There have been numerous times where my wife has experimented with her hair and the results have been, well lets just say that they weren't terrific. How come when women do this men are supposed to be supportive and accepting regardless of their true opinion, but men are not shown the same courtesy? Why don't women let men grow a mustache? Why can't the same tolerance be shown by both parties? As far as I can tell the discrepancy is fairly absurd. (I also should say that my wife is an exception; she is fully supportive of me having a mustache and would also let me grow a huge beard if I wanted to.)
My last and final reason why every man should grow a mustache at some point is because we can, and by doing so we help bridge the gap of hair experimentation inequality. We need to break the chains of restrictions and be free, to a certain extent. I apologize if I have made generalizations about women, but I feel I have a solid point. And I once read in a certain book that the guilty take the truth to be pretty hard.
The most common response when I ask someone why they don't try and grow a mustache is that they don't have permission from their significant other. I hate to break it to you, but for the most part, women are completely unfair with their hair experimentation standards. There have been numerous times where my wife has experimented with her hair and the results have been, well lets just say that they weren't terrific. How come when women do this men are supposed to be supportive and accepting regardless of their true opinion, but men are not shown the same courtesy? Why don't women let men grow a mustache? Why can't the same tolerance be shown by both parties? As far as I can tell the discrepancy is fairly absurd. (I also should say that my wife is an exception; she is fully supportive of me having a mustache and would also let me grow a huge beard if I wanted to.)
My last and final reason why every man should grow a mustache at some point is because we can, and by doing so we help bridge the gap of hair experimentation inequality. We need to break the chains of restrictions and be free, to a certain extent. I apologize if I have made generalizations about women, but I feel I have a solid point. And I once read in a certain book that the guilty take the truth to be pretty hard.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Reason #5
By now most of you have decided which side you stand on regarding the mustache issue. I hope that I have at least shed a little bit more light on the positive aspects of having a mustache that most people don't really think about. Deep down inside I even have a vain hope that maybe I convinced a guy to grow a mustache, or better yet, have convinced a girl not to discard the idea before you've seen the results. If that is the case then I feel like I have made a difference, if not, then I have to admit I am still going to be able to go on with my life.
The fifth reason that a man should grow a mustache is because growing one gives you membership in the elite group that is called the mustache brotherhood. This is obviously not an actual group, though there are groups that you can join if you have a mustache, but rather it's an idea. It's not the kind of thing that you carry around a membership card for as proof of participation, it's more an unspoken respect that you receive from other members. I have heard a few men refer to growing facial hair as, "a man's responsibility to prove that he is a man." While I don't wholeheartedly endorse this idea I have experienced the manly respect that comes as a result of growing a mustache. I mainly refer to, "the nod." That may sound rather ambiguous, so let me explain. It's almost an unspoken rule that whenever you come across another man with a mustache, you both give each other a nod of approval and respect. You are both united through your mustaches and are instantly cordial toward one another. I have received the nod on numerous occasions, most recently, though, was actually in this class. A guy with a very nice handlebar mustache walked past the windows during class and stopped to get my attention. We exchanged a quick glance and then both showed our respect for the mustache with a nod. Nothing else needed to be done or said, the nod carries more meaning on it's own.
The reason that I am using "the nod" as one of the reasons to grow a mustache is because it helps validate you as a man. I certainly do not think that only by growing a mustache do you receive such validation, but it is one means of doing so.
Sorry about the bad link last week. This is the mustache commercial that I was trying to share.
The fifth reason that a man should grow a mustache is because growing one gives you membership in the elite group that is called the mustache brotherhood. This is obviously not an actual group, though there are groups that you can join if you have a mustache, but rather it's an idea. It's not the kind of thing that you carry around a membership card for as proof of participation, it's more an unspoken respect that you receive from other members. I have heard a few men refer to growing facial hair as, "a man's responsibility to prove that he is a man." While I don't wholeheartedly endorse this idea I have experienced the manly respect that comes as a result of growing a mustache. I mainly refer to, "the nod." That may sound rather ambiguous, so let me explain. It's almost an unspoken rule that whenever you come across another man with a mustache, you both give each other a nod of approval and respect. You are both united through your mustaches and are instantly cordial toward one another. I have received the nod on numerous occasions, most recently, though, was actually in this class. A guy with a very nice handlebar mustache walked past the windows during class and stopped to get my attention. We exchanged a quick glance and then both showed our respect for the mustache with a nod. Nothing else needed to be done or said, the nod carries more meaning on it's own.
The reason that I am using "the nod" as one of the reasons to grow a mustache is because it helps validate you as a man. I certainly do not think that only by growing a mustache do you receive such validation, but it is one means of doing so.
Sorry about the bad link last week. This is the mustache commercial that I was trying to share.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Reason #4 It makes you look older
Despite the push in the past couple of decades to look as young as you possibly can for as long as you possibly can, there are some people who want to look a little older because they look too young. I commonly refer to these kinds of men, (and I am sure that others have heard them referred to as this as well,) as "baby faced" or some variation of that. They are the sort of people that we tend to guess wrong on their age by guessing too low, and this is often embarrassing for men who are trying to be professionally credible. I have never really considered myself to fall in the category of a "baby face", though I might and no one has ever mentioned it to me. But for those men who are definite "baby faces" a mustache can be a great solution. I have heard numerous comments about how much older it makes me look. My own brother-in-law looked at a picture of me before I grew a mustache and started laughing because he said that I looked so much younger. Looking older isn't the reason why I continue to have a mustache, but I think this benefit should be given serious consideration by men who are wondering what a mustache could do for them.
I recognize the fact that many of the people who have a "baby face" are often times the type of people who can't grow facial hair, but this is not always the case. And I also want to acknowledge those men who aren't "baby faces" and may still want to look older anyway. A mustache might be a good option for you.
As a brief example, here are some photos of Sam Elliott, an actor who is best known for his roles in Western films. Other than the fact that he looks better with a mustache, I feel like it makes him look older too. And which man would you take more seriously if he was pointing a gun at you? My guess is the man in the photo on the top, but my readers can form their own opinion. Stay tuned for reason 5 next week.
P.S Here is a commercial that I found about mustaches that is entertaining:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9aYUj8
I recognize the fact that many of the people who have a "baby face" are often times the type of people who can't grow facial hair, but this is not always the case. And I also want to acknowledge those men who aren't "baby faces" and may still want to look older anyway. A mustache might be a good option for you.
As a brief example, here are some photos of Sam Elliott, an actor who is best known for his roles in Western films. Other than the fact that he looks better with a mustache, I feel like it makes him look older too. And which man would you take more seriously if he was pointing a gun at you? My guess is the man in the photo on the top, but my readers can form their own opinion. Stay tuned for reason 5 next week.
P.S Here is a commercial that I found about mustaches that is entertaining:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9aYUj8
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Reason #3 It's a good way to break social norms
Deep down inside of each individual I believe that there is a rebellious side. Granted, for most people it is squelched and hidden beneath the fabric of social expectations and the fear of reprisals. That might be assuming too much, and if you are adamant about the fact that you have no rebellious leanings whatsoever, then I acknowledge that this feeling may not apply to everyone. But, for everyone else who either openly or secretly agrees with me then I will offer my opinion on why mustaches can be a fun and harmless way to indulge this rebelliousness.
I feel like in recent history more and more people are embracing this rebellious side and taking radical steps to let everyone know how different they are. Elaborate tattoos, excessive piercings, and extreme clothing styles are examples of ways of showing this rebellion. The problem with some of them is that they are permanent, so once you've done it, there isn't any going back. While I don't have anything against people who choose to do those sort of things, I must admit that it isn't for me.
One of the reasons that I wanted to grow a mustache was to embrace this "rebellious side" of me, in a non-permanent, less drastic way. My mustache is a fun way of indulging the desire to be different. If you are someone who is sick of the social norms, and wants to do something a little out of the ordinary that isn't a permanent change, then a mustache might be the answer for you. A mustache doesn't mean that you have ditched your moral values or become irresponsible and reckless; many responsible adults have mustaches. I have enjoyed being a little different than everyone else because I have a mustache, though I recognize that not everyone wants to be different. If you are content with being another face in the crowd then that is your choice to make. But if there is a part of you that wants to "stick it to the man" in a small way, then the mustache brotherhood may be a good place for you.
I feel like in recent history more and more people are embracing this rebellious side and taking radical steps to let everyone know how different they are. Elaborate tattoos, excessive piercings, and extreme clothing styles are examples of ways of showing this rebellion. The problem with some of them is that they are permanent, so once you've done it, there isn't any going back. While I don't have anything against people who choose to do those sort of things, I must admit that it isn't for me.
One of the reasons that I wanted to grow a mustache was to embrace this "rebellious side" of me, in a non-permanent, less drastic way. My mustache is a fun way of indulging the desire to be different. If you are someone who is sick of the social norms, and wants to do something a little out of the ordinary that isn't a permanent change, then a mustache might be the answer for you. A mustache doesn't mean that you have ditched your moral values or become irresponsible and reckless; many responsible adults have mustaches. I have enjoyed being a little different than everyone else because I have a mustache, though I recognize that not everyone wants to be different. If you are content with being another face in the crowd then that is your choice to make. But if there is a part of you that wants to "stick it to the man" in a small way, then the mustache brotherhood may be a good place for you.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Reason #2 It Makes You More Approachable
Some of you might be thinking that being more memorable and being more approachable are pretty similar and don't need to be separated into different reasons; I, on the other hand, have found them to be quite distinct. It's one thing for people to easily remember you, it's quite another for them to approach you to talk. One of the biggest adjustments for me was having people come up to talk to me in public situations. Some might say that this happens to them on occasion, but I have found that it happens to me at least a few times a week. It's getting to the point where I can't walk into Wal-Mart without someone stopping to talk to me. This wasn't the case before I started to grow a mustache. People never approached me simply to talk to me, especially not complete strangers.
I am not sure what about having a mustache makes people more likely to talk to you, but in talking to my wife we came up with a possible reason. The mustache is in the public domain. This may not make sense at first, so allow me to explain. If someone walked in with piercings all over their face people aren't going to comment about it to your face, because for some reason it's offensive if you do. The same thing applies with outrageous clothing, or someone growing a beard. Socially it would be weird if you comment on these "facial accessories", but, if someone grows a mustache, then people seem to feel like it is their solemn duty to comment. I can't explain why socially there is that sort of guideline or restriction, but there is. Don't get me wrong, people aren't making rude comments to me, it's more as if they are just curious about it. All in all it's a great conversation starter. I have had all sorts of people talk to me since growing one. Young kids, teenagers, adults and some people who look old enough that they could be my great grandparents all seem to want to talk to me. I have had some lengthy and very interesting conversations with these people, and have come to really enjoy them. It has also made me wonder about something. When I was a missionary, I did everything that I could to talk to people and make myself approachable to people. Would missionaries have more success talking to people if they had mustaches? I guess that it's something for you to think about. Stay tuned for reason three next week.
I am not sure what about having a mustache makes people more likely to talk to you, but in talking to my wife we came up with a possible reason. The mustache is in the public domain. This may not make sense at first, so allow me to explain. If someone walked in with piercings all over their face people aren't going to comment about it to your face, because for some reason it's offensive if you do. The same thing applies with outrageous clothing, or someone growing a beard. Socially it would be weird if you comment on these "facial accessories", but, if someone grows a mustache, then people seem to feel like it is their solemn duty to comment. I can't explain why socially there is that sort of guideline or restriction, but there is. Don't get me wrong, people aren't making rude comments to me, it's more as if they are just curious about it. All in all it's a great conversation starter. I have had all sorts of people talk to me since growing one. Young kids, teenagers, adults and some people who look old enough that they could be my great grandparents all seem to want to talk to me. I have had some lengthy and very interesting conversations with these people, and have come to really enjoy them. It has also made me wonder about something. When I was a missionary, I did everything that I could to talk to people and make myself approachable to people. Would missionaries have more success talking to people if they had mustaches? I guess that it's something for you to think about. Stay tuned for reason three next week.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Reason #1 to Grow a Mustache
The first reason, (and possibly the top reason in my opinion), to grow a mustache is that they make you more memorable to people. Prior to growing a mustache I felt like I was one of the indistinct masses. Sure I thought that I was different, but there wasn't anything unique or distinguishable about me. People never remembered my name; I was constantly having to remind people who I was, and if I missed a class no one was ever the wiser. That all changed when I grew a mustache. Suddenly my face stood out among the crowd, and people started to remember who I was. My professors starting asking me where I was when I missed class, and actually called me by my name. Because my mustache is a unique and rather uncommon feature at school, it became an easy way to for other people to distinguish me.
School is not the only place where my mustache has made me memorable. I had an experience the other day at the grocery store where the checker recognized me even though it had been four months since I had last been there. That may not sound like a big deal, but how many of you have had a stranger recognize you and talk to you after seeing you once months ago? I imagine that it hasn't happened to you very often, if at all. And that isn't the only time that I have been recognized out of the blue. I frequently am stopped by people who remember me from brief encounters that I have had with them. Of course, that happens to everyone occassionally, but it happens to me at least twice a week. There is a stark difference between how many people remembered me pre-mustache, and the number of people who remember me now.
I am not the only one who is more memorable because I have mustache. Many famous men throughout history have had mustaches. To give a few examples:
Albert Einstein- Would Einstein be as widely remembered for his scientific contributions had he
not had a mustache?
Mark Twain- Is it possible that Mark Twain's mustache was a major factor in his success as an author?
Hulk Hogan- Would Hulk Hogan have been able to dominate and intimidate the wrestling world without a mustache?
Hopefully I have given you something to consider, if not, then stay tuned for the other five reasons why every man should grow a mustache at some point in his life.
School is not the only place where my mustache has made me memorable. I had an experience the other day at the grocery store where the checker recognized me even though it had been four months since I had last been there. That may not sound like a big deal, but how many of you have had a stranger recognize you and talk to you after seeing you once months ago? I imagine that it hasn't happened to you very often, if at all. And that isn't the only time that I have been recognized out of the blue. I frequently am stopped by people who remember me from brief encounters that I have had with them. Of course, that happens to everyone occassionally, but it happens to me at least twice a week. There is a stark difference between how many people remembered me pre-mustache, and the number of people who remember me now.
I am not the only one who is more memorable because I have mustache. Many famous men throughout history have had mustaches. To give a few examples:
Albert Einstein- Would Einstein be as widely remembered for his scientific contributions had he
not had a mustache?
Mark Twain- Is it possible that Mark Twain's mustache was a major factor in his success as an author?
Hulk Hogan- Would Hulk Hogan have been able to dominate and intimidate the wrestling world without a mustache?
Hopefully I have given you something to consider, if not, then stay tuned for the other five reasons why every man should grow a mustache at some point in his life.
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