I am normally clean shaven (and a guy, BTW!) but my wife likes me to grow a beard on occassion. My beard is normally soft although it tends to be brown on the sides and blond on the chin
I usually grow one in the winter just for kicks or in the spring if I am involved in a church pagent. I always shave it off a few months later. Different friends like either look better.
Cute story..my daughter seemed to be scared of my brother who looks a lot like an ewok only thinner

I had not seen him for awhile and our families were getting together at the beach. I was in the process of growing a beard so she would get used to them and maybe not be scared, and he shaved his off just for her! (Sort of a gift of the Magi thing..) It is the only time he ever shaved when he was not required to for employment.
Actually, since I am going to WDW immediately following Thanksgiving, I thought I may start growing one then since I will be out of work for over a week.
Of course, I'd go through that "shaggy" period at WDW, but no one will be looking at me then anyway.
