Monday, March 21, 2011

The goatee: Orgins and meaning.



A more or less unconscious statement about virility and temperament.
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Throughout history facial hair on gentlemen has been an important grooming statement for the man, often dictated by fashion and convention, facial hair can be said to be representative of a man's need to assert his masculinity and status.  Simply by his attentiveness to detail and by his carriage, the perfectly groomed gentleman announces his genteel taste and superiority to the public.  Whereas the poorly groomed, scruffy bearded man reveals his disinterest in material wealth and honors, and more often than not his lower status.  He may be a student or artist - whose disinterest is demonstrated by a nonchalance about his appearance - much like the monk, whose identity is frequently associated with the lowly and the poor.
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The goatee on the other hand, gives the wearer a quite distinct identity from all other beards.  Originally the goatee was seen as a fashion fop for the very vain and pompous, a characteristic which endures to this day.  Of course it became identified with the intellectual and creative elite as well.  It was also adopted by the avant garde to distinguish themselves from the bourgeoisie in the 20th century. 
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Likewise, as the name indicates - goatee - the beard is modeled after the he-goat, hence the beard became associated with evil and the occult.  Pop-culture demonstrates this frequently in media and practice, especially when worn with shaved heads.  The goatee also can make a sexual statement.  In cases of shaved heads and highly styled goatees, it can signal a shaved body as well as other erotic accessories and proclivities - otherwise not perceived by the uninitiated.
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Like body piercings, most men have no idea the significance of their fashion statements and how they are perceived by the public.
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What?
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Disclaimer:  This post has absolutely nothing to do with anyone living or dead.  Please be advised that I made the entire thing up as well.  It kind of makes sense though. 
    

13 comments:

  1. I used to have a girl friend that had a goatee; her parents started her on birth control pills when she was nine years old and becoming a young lady.


    She had the hairiest armpits of any human I have ever seen.

    We broke up when we got into a fist fight over a woman I was interested in.

    I won the fight, but she went to the girl's restroom, and the other girl went in to help clean her up.

    They now have an adopted child from China and run an animal shelter in Wyoming.

    They get millions of dollars a year for taking in stray dogs and cats.

    *

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  2. I don't know which one of you cracked me up more with your posts on goatees.

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  3. The bald head / goatee look has always struck me as kind of gay-looking. Or really gay-looking. I'm not saying that because of anyone in particular. I've just always found it weird.

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  4. There once was a man from the East Wood.
    Who desired to enter the priesthood.
    His bishop said rotely
    "Please shave off your goatee
    If you keep it, it would do the least good."

    (Don't read anything into the limerick - I'm praying for all concerned.)

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  5. Anonymous2:34 PM

    I hate them, SHAVE THEM OFF! But once someone told me of something else they look like, and why guys like them, ewwwwwww...I never look at them the same again, ewwwwwwww.

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  6. Mercury - me too.
    Tara - I know!
    Larry - I'm praying too - but since a friend told me - never mind.
    Maria - Pablo's is funnier.
    Pablo - you really made me laugh with that one.

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  7. To quote a great prophet:

    "...Please be advised that I made the entire thing up as well. It kind of makes sense though..."

    The Book of Nelson, Chater Five, verse four.

    *

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  8. fifteen years ago nearly all of my husband's male relatives ruined my wedding album with their goatees. It's a sore subject.

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  9. Did I miss the post and/or significance of the recent inclusion of TBBT pics at the ends of the posts?

    Just curious.

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  10. I had a boyfriend once who was half Native American...due to my European heritage I could grow a better moustache than he ever could.. :(

    He could also get a better tan in one day than I could all summer...

    Life is just SOO unfair!!

    Sara

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  11. Joe - it is my favorite show on TV now - and I love Amy Farrah Fowler.

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  12. i love my full mustache/beard. those who can't grow just cast stones.

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  13. This comment has been removed by the author.

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Please comment with charity and avoid ad hominem attacks. I exercise the right to delete comments I find inappropriate. If you use your real name there is a better chance your comment will stay put.