Of facial hair and public perception

"You have a particular facial hair pattern. Let me judge and stereotype you."

(Fair warning : Don't expect a thought-provoking / life changing / revolutionary post)

I don't like to shave. Mainly because of my irritable skin and also because I am plain lazy.
Four years in a hostel with like minded people doesn't help either. In the hallowed corridors of the hostel or the classroom, no one really questions your appearance, as there are more pressing issues on mind - "Will there be water in the morning?" "Is the internet working yet?" "Wonder how my MMORPG character is faring in the virtual world? It has been 5 mins since I checked."

Anyway, coming back to the point. People judged you, in an instant, based on the your mustache, your beard or the non-existence of it. Sometimes I grow a liking to a particular look (usually donned by a fictional character in the movies). The days following this change will attract several (typical) questions, and received several comment.

After a week of stubble - 

"Going for the rugged look to impress the ladies eh ;-)"
    And several, several versions of it mainly from the guys.
"Full John Abraham look try maadthidya" (Imitating J.Abraham I see)
And my mom - "Shave maadkoLo." (Go shave that beard)


With a French beard -

"Going for the French look to impress the ladies eh ;-)"
    And several, several versions of it mainly from the guys.
"Hi Bachchan " (referring to Amitabh Bachchan)
And my mom - "Shave maadkoLo." (Go shave that beard)

With a mustache - 

"Going for the mustache to impress the ladies eh ;-)"
     (You see where I am going with this. You'd think a guy's sole purpose in life is to impress the girls. Heck, it might be for many many guys.)
"Eno, uncle thara kaaNthidya. " (looking like an uncle)
"Kannada movie noDkond bandya" (Did you get inspired by a Kannada (or any South Indian) movie.)
 "Are you married?" (Mustaches seem to be the trademark of the happily married)
 And my mom - "Shave maadkoLo."

 With a trimmed beard -

(The usual comments about trying for the ladies, and the same line from my mom)
"You look like a jehadist"
"I thought you were a 'paapa - saadhu' kinda guy... So which pubs have you been to lately"

Two week beard -
"Yeno devdas aagidya. Kai koTla?" (Why are you looking like Devdas? Did she ditch you)
"Love disappoint aa ?"
"Are you not well?"


(And there won't be a third week of beard, because my mom will shove the razor into my hand and direct me to the bathroom :P )


The clean shave -

"Which school do you go to?"
"Do you have a meeting with your boss?"
And my mom "See how decent you look now..."

I am sure many guys have been at the receiving end (or even the giving end) of such comments. Drop in a comment if you have something to add. The ladies (who I am supposedly trying to impress) may also join in.