>>>Sidebar: for those of you who don't wear beards, don't let a guy tell
>>>you they do it because it's "easier than shaving." Even cursory
>>>efforts to properly maintain a beard are considerably more time and
>>>energy intensive than the most vigorous attempts to remain
>>>clean-shaven
>>
>>Bollocks.
>
>Um, yeah. I'm with Gryphon on that.
>
>I mean, I just trimmed my beard for christmas. It took two minutes,
>not counting cleaning the sink afterwards. Granted my beard isn't the
>standard bearer for neatness. Keeping it clean is simply part of the
>shower routine and doesn't add anything much to time and effort.
>
>Appearing clean-shaven would require close and careful attention to
>detail every couple of days at least.

It really depends on all the factors like rate of beard growth, how sensitive the underlying skin is, and how much hygienic care the beard requires when it's actually present. Plus, how curly is the beard hair, what color it is (it doesn't necessarily match the color of what's on top of the head)... and do you have a significant other that finds it cuddly warm, or irritating, when they're kissed?