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.

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

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.

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

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 :p


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

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.

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.

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.

Okinawan people have different attitudes about a lot of things compared to the rest of Japan.

I was told they get called "Island people" by the majority of mainland Japan, also something about Okinawa being a really lazy society compared to the rest of Japan.

This is something i had always heard but never got confirmation on so i find this interesting. One of the many differences in the western and eastern culture. God i dont know what i would do if i had to shave completely. I dont have a beard or mustache or anything just a little but when its all shaved off i look like im twelve years old.

Same thing with one of my east asian friends(Indian). When he doesn't shave he looks like he is about 25. When he doesn't, he looks about 15.

lol same happens to me! I can't get into nightclubs without my ID if i shave!

Either way. I absolutely LOVE how relaxed Okinawa is. But at times it can be busy. But it is true, okinawa is laid back and such. But I wouldn't say "Lazy".

That sounds like my kind of people. "Dude, ride the waves man, you just gotta listen to mother ocean." Bust out a little ukulele and take a nap in my hammock.

A little is okay, but a lot is disturbing to me.
It does come across as "dirty" becomes it doesn't
look very well kept. Really, it does remain a
personal preference, and it's the same in every
country.

It looks like I have found a place to go to when I visit Japan :).

I always perceived in general that Japanese women preferred men without facial hair. I dunno, from my experience with foreign exchange students from Japan, that seems to be the "normal" consensus.

I think you are right.

Definately Okinawa=Amazing

My Japanese teacher is from Okinawa too. I'm gonna ask loads of questions about it when Uni starts again next week :).

Why do i find this topic hilarious?

Dating tips of course.