-How old are you? 24 -When did you start growing your beard? Was capable of full beard at age 16. Would have a light beard on during early college years. Haven't been clean shaven since April of 2012 (was 21). -What inspired you to start growing your beard? Religious reasons -How many times have you fully grown out your beard? Well ever since I stopped shaving I haven't regrown. But before that too many times to count. -Is there any significance in the number of times you've grown out your beard? No, just switching styles. -Why did you cut or shave your beard? Switching styles -Do you ever plan on cutting or shaving your beard? I trim regularly but will never shave again. -Do you grow a beard during a certain season of the year? As an engineer there times where I will be stressed with work so I can just leave my beard to get real wild for a month or so. -What does your beard look like? Is it straight, curly, thin, thick? Wavy -Does your beard have a particular smell? what ever cologne I wear -Does your beard make any noise? yeah if i rub it against something. -What does your beard feel like? Is it soft, coarse? poky as my little niece describes it. -What is the color of your beard? dark brown with a red touch to it that really shows when its longer and in sunlight. -Has the color of your beard changed over time? I noticed the red touch first in my college years -Is your beard the same color as your hair? slightly lighter brown, but as it moves down to the chin area it gets more reddish -How do you maintain, trim, or shave your beard? Trim with my hair trimmer. -Do you wash your beard? If so, with what? I just use the same shampoo for my hair -Do you style your beard? If so, with what? sometimes with oil -Besides your beard, did any other of your physical features appear different? no -Do your friends or family members have beards? many of my friends do -What kind of feedback do you receive from family, friends or significant other about your beard? everyone loves it -How do children react to your beard? they think its cool -How do elders react to your beard? For religious reasons most of the elders I deal with have beards and they like seeing young guys with beards as well. -Do members of the opposite sex treat you differently with a beard? When I asked the few women that I did if I should shave they said no ( i wouldnt have anyway, just making sure they are the right one!) -Do members of the same sex treat you differently with a beard? Yes, they give more respect. -Do you treat someone with a beard differently? Depends on the situation. But someone with a beard its very easy to go up to them and start a convo bc ill just say "nice beard" -What do you think of strangers with beards? Real men. -Do you feel a connection with other people who have beards? Yes. -Do you feel the need to compete with fellow bearded men? Sometimes lol. -What stereotypes are associated with a beard? For me, terrorist lol. -What do you believe is the symbolism behind a beard? Men naturally have beards, along with that it is a religious practice to emulate the prophets from the abrahamic faiths peace be upon them. -Is there any significance in the age of which a male has a beard? puberty -What is the symbolism of your beard to you? Following the way of the prophets of God peace be upon them. -Did you discover anything new about yourself when you grew out a beard? My immense beard trimming and lineup skills. -Are there any downsides to having a beard? Sometimes I can spend sometime maintaining it. has made me late to a few events -Are there any advantages of having a beard? TOO MANY TO LIST.

You can see pics of my beard on my submission http://www.reddit.com/r/beards/comments/32332o/a_couple_of_pics_of_my_beard/