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[Zangi]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-12740975

"Our men in the field are growing their beards because the Afghan soldiers think it is respectful," said a Ministry of Defence spokesman in 2006. "For men working very closely alongside the Afghans for long periods, wearing beards has proved to be an excellent way of helping to win trust and breed understanding."

US special operations units in Afghanistan have also long worn beards to gain the respect of tribal elders. Combined with Oakley wrap-around sunglasses, though, the look is sometimes more Hell's Angel than Helmand.

Having a beard is a sign of respect in Afghan apparently.

[RedKing]

*strokes beard thoughtfully*

The Afghans are a wise people.

[Tellemurius]

*strokes beard thoughtfully*

The Afghans are a wise people.

*does the same*
as it seems.

[Rilder]

For some reason I don't think having a bit of facial hair is a logical reason to turn away someone who's offering to risk their lives for your country. Heh.

[Nadaka]

absolutely dwarven.

I've got about a month of beard myself at the moment.

[RedKing]

Hmmm...they're warlike, they live in the mountains and caves, they respect beards....apparently the Taliban are boozeless dwarves. We just need to create a large enough tantrum spiral, and the war can be over. Or, y'know...flood the country with magma.

[Levi]

Hmmm...they're warlike, they live in the mountains and caves, they respect beards....apparently the Taliban are boozeless dwarves. We just need to create a large enough tantrum spiral, and the war can be over. Or, y'know...flood the country with magma.

Or engrave a legendary dining room for them to party in.

[Criptfeind]

Damn. I have not been able to grow a beard since my dermal layer sloughed off.

I guess that puts the middle east on the list of places I should not go.


In all seriousness though, this is a fascination cultural trait.

[Zangi]

For some reason I don't think having a bit of facial hair is a logical reason to turn away someone who's offering to risk their lives for your country. Heh.

Logic doesn't have anything to do with it.  If people used logic, the world will be right.  Or wronger.  Faulty logic exists. 

It may range a number of reasons.... religious?, familiarity, and hey, they are growing the beards as an effort to fit in instead of... just ignoring that thing that is common with most if not all the Afghan guys... while 'you' are glaringly smooth faced and different.

[Strife26]

Strokes the single annoying really fast growing hair on my chin that I shave every day, just to ensure that it stays shortish.

It's a safety thing, you can't get a seal on a gas mask with facial hair, unless you go through a lot of trouble to grease it down.

[Ancre]

Strokes the single annoying really fast growing hair on my chin that I shave every day, just to ensure that it stays shortish.

It's a safety thing, you can't get a seal on a gas mask with facial hair, unless you go through a lot of trouble to grease it down.

Even if it's kept short ?

Strokes his clean shaven face and curse his school's reglementations. They should read the last part of that article !

[Tellemurius]

Strokes the single annoying really fast growing hair on my chin that I shave every day, just to ensure that it stays shortish.

It's a safety thing, you can't get a seal on a gas mask with facial hair, unless you go through a lot of trouble to grease it down.

Even if it's kept short ?

Strokes his clean shaven face and curse his school's reglementations. They should read the last part of that article !

Even that, my israeli masks won't seal if its not smooth skin

[Zangi]

Strokes the single annoying really fast growing hair on my chin that I shave every day, just to ensure that it stays shortish.

It's a safety thing, you can't get a seal on a gas mask with facial hair, unless you go through a lot of trouble to grease it down.

Not the main reason I brought this up, but yes, the 2/3 of the article does give that reason and I can understand that.


Otherwise, anyone know other places where beards are 'respected'?

[Criptfeind]

Bowling alleys?

[Taricus]

Biker hangouts?