Facial Hair & Japan.

JoshAussie · (#1 (**permalink**))

I heard recently (A few minutes ago, - while watching a "Vlog") that facial hair is generally perceived as "Dirty" in Japan. (By females.)

Now usually if anyone asks a question about "Will X like an X" Id give the answer "Its personal preferance." But..

Is there any truth behind this? and if there is, what is the reason?

I sport a bit of facial hair, But its neat. But the impression the "Vlogger" gave us is that all facial hair is perceived as "dirty" (By females) and all males should shave. - He had facial hair himself but ended up shaving it off. (He was in Japan.)

SHAD0W · (#2 (**permalink**))

On the tv show Japanorama (youtube) Jonathan Ross states there are cafe's/bars in Japan where women who don't feel confident talking to men, can go and have dinner with women dressed as men to build up their confidence and social skills. All those "men" had drawn on facial hair so it can't be that bad?

If you think about it, business men in western culture get frowned upon for not having a shave. My boss gives me dirty looks if i have a bit of stubble!

Saying that, if i dont shave for more than 2 days I become a monkey..

I'm working on the source for my first paragraph, ill edit it in here later.

kouichisan · (#3 (**permalink**))

well I have a beard, if they don't like it... they can do 1. Cos it's not going anywhere.

Nyororin · (#4 (**permalink**))

Obviously it does come down to personal preference... But I would say the view of a beard as "dirty" is true. That doesn`t necessarily mean it`s a bad thing, as some people prefer "dirty". But it doesn`t make you look like you`re successful, as companies tend not to like facial hair.

kouichisan · (#5 (**permalink**))

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nyororin

Obviously it does come down to personal preference... But I would say the view of a beard as "dirty" is true. That doesn`t necessarily mean it`s a bad thing, as some people prefer "dirty". But it doesn`t make you look like you`re successful, as companies tend not to like facial hair.

My beard is neat and well kept, it does not have stubble and I comb it regularly. I am British and I was born in the UK, but my family is from a south asian background. In our culture, a beard symbolizes integrity and honesty.

SHAD0W · (#6 (**permalink**))

Quote:

Originally Posted by kouichisan

In our culture, a beard symbolizes integrity and honesty.

I like that. gives me a sense of.. security?

Fooflowers · (#7 (**permalink**))

i tend to rock the homeless look alot, i dont intend on changing anytime soon untill ppl either A) run away screaming or B)start throwing change at my feet

its down to personal preference EVERYWHERE, girls(& guys) are all diferent, sure "companies" might not like it but thats a whole different story

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nyororin

But it doesn`t make you look like you`re successful

some of the richest ppl on the planet have beards, steve jobs, dave grohl, george clooney, bradd pitt has had some crazy beards, so i dont see how thats the general view on beards

Nyororin · (#8 (**permalink**))

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fooflowers

[color="Black"]some of the richest ppl on the planet have beards, steve jobs, dave grohl, george clooney, bradd pitt has had some crazy beards, so i dont see how thats the general view on beards

But we`re not talking about the world. We`re talking about Japan. Everything leans toward being clean shaved as reflecting on you as properly managing your life and self. Of course there are exceptions, but the general image is more favorable toward being clean faced.

spicytuna · (#9 (**permalink**))

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nyororin

But we`re not talking about the world. We`re talking about Japan. Everything leans toward being clean shaved as reflecting on you as properly managing your life and self. Of course there are exceptions, but the general image is more favorable toward being clean faced.

That's for sure. I don't know the statistics but I'd estimate that only 1% of the guys I saw in Japan had facial hair.

Perhaps it's acceptable on western men but being of Japanese descent, I definitely made sure I was clean shaven before I stepped outside.

HIalchemist · (#10 (**permalink**))

It doesn't really matter many people in Okinawa old & young adults had facial hair, and they we respected. Although some do think of at as dirty. I didnt.