I’ve been wondering about this for some time. All over the world, men with beards are usually viewed as older and wise, or linked to maritime activities. Both make sense as a beard keeps the wind out, and in Western education all male maths teachers seemed to have beards and also ancient druids, teachers, hippies what knew everything about computers. similar with gurus, imams and other wise men/teachers found in faith groups.
In some religions like Islam, a tidy beard is obligatory (or being clean shaven if you cannot grow one). Incidentally the acceptable standards of beards are virtually identical for both moderate Islam and the British Royal Navy!
In India, elaborate moustaches are prized. But over the Punjab in Pakistan, more conservative moustaches are preferred, but are valued in both nations as a symbol of authority. PK follows British moustache fashion which is “anything what is tidy and doesn’t make you look like Hitler”.#
An old Indian dude told me “never underestimate the value of a good moustache”.
However younger Asians like myself prefer to be clean shaven, as now youthfulness is valued and beards and moustaches make you look old. In the 80s young Pakistani men more often grew moustaches but unless they have full beard for religious purposes tend to be clean shaven. My Muslim friends said “it did not matter so much in England, you can have either provided you are faithful”.
Also, I have very rarely seen a young Chinese with a beard. Only old men, especially in films of rural area, and hollywood movies with rather stereotypical old Chinese men in karate type movies. And these men are usually age 80+.
anyone else noticed this? are you Asian, and if so do you have beard/moustache or prefer to be clean shaven?
