If you are puzzled about the title…we’ll explain it all: Basically “No shave November” requires participants not to touch razors (electric or manual) or shaving creams for the complete month. Among many, it is seen as a rite of passage, an ability to exhibit the nature of “manhood”. The event has quite a following at colleges nationwide, and it is meant to bring together a “fraternity of the facial haired ones” if you will.
Many participants unfortunately at the end of November stop this process, and instead of continuing towards the end of the year, at which point they can look like that guy in the red suit, they shave it off and go back to the shaven life.
Its odd, that after experiencing facial hair, which is so natural and suited to man, that they willingly go back. After all the effort to get pass the new growth and all its associated pains of itching, scratching, redness, new look, and convincing their beloved ones, they go back!
It is well-known that the most difficult part of growing a beard is the itchiness and urge to scratch that comes with new growth. It takes a number of days, sometimes even weeks before that feeling dissipates, but its there, and once you get through that its smooth sailing. Here and there you might need some conditioner or a special shampoo to keep it nice and going, but the discomfort has disappeared by and large. After all that effort if you shave, well, that’s just a tragedy.
To put it in a more appropriate metaphor, shaving a beard after growing it for a month is like climbing all the way to the top of Mount Everest, but before you can raise you hands and take in the view and experience that thrill of victory you climb back down! Those who have facial hair will tell you what you’re missing.
Most importantly, up until the 20th century, it was common for men to have a beard, and this tradition had flourished from time immemorial only to be discarded as man entered the “modern age”. Today with events such as No-Shave November we recall and realize the great tradition of facial hair. But by feeding that frenzy for a month we become temporarily satisfied and forget the greatness of a way of life that has existed for so long.
So when December 1st comes, make sure you’re figuring out how to mantain your beard instead of shaving it!