Keep the beard or shave it? [OPINION]

Each day of the week, I’m tasked with writing a pair of opinion pieces for WBSM.com which typically end up on our social media pages on platforms such as Facebook. If you download our free WBSM app, these parts arrive straight to your phone without you having to search for them. It really is a wonderful thing, you know.

Well, today I am presenting an opinion piece in which I turn the tables. Instead of expressing my thoughtful and measured opinion, I seek yours. For real! I want to know what you think of something that is really quite personal to me. Should I keep my newly grown beard or get rid of it?

Now spare me the sarcastic remarks about how the beard hides my perfect radio face because I’ve heard it all before. That well-worn face has gotten more than one train down a dirt track over the years, but hey, that’s what I have to work with.

I never really liked facial hair. I had a mustache for a very short time when I was 20. But I was a smoker back then, and the thing still tended to smell like a dirty ashtray. I got rid of it.

Barry Richard / Townsquare Media

This thing came as a challenge from my son, who has his own beard. He challenged me not to shave during my recent vacation.

It’s been over three weeks since I last shaved, and honestly, I don’t know if I want to continue or eradicate the thing. Some said it made me smarter. Hmm. Others (my wife) say it makes me look older. At 63, I don’t need to look older.

So I come to you, hat in hand, and I humbly ask for your wise advice. Should I keep my beard or shave it?

Barry Richard is the host of the Barry Richard Show at 1420 WBSM New Bedford. It can be heard on weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. Contact him at barry@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @ BarryJRichard58. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.

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