My wife both loves and hates my beard. I grew mine after I got out of the military and just let it go. Was epic, bushy and full. But, after a couple of years, I got bored with and shaved it. Although now I'm growing it back, I'll be keeping it neat and trim. The beard both fascinates and intimidates. I always got compliments on it, from men and women. I think the beard throws people off, because as humans, we're biologically wired to read faces, and beards cover such a large area of the face. Thanks for the interesting read.