Does wearing imperial beard in the UK attract any ire of general public?
I love Imperial beard, which is also known as Friendly Mutton Chops. Take this for an example:
Source: Maria Ly, via Wikimedia Commons
Here is a another gentleman that more people can relate to:
General Ambrose Burnside (United States)
Source: [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
I love to wear it sometimes, maybe once a year for a few days? Where I come from people don't have those beard styles anymore. Everyone relates them to the old times and that British people loved them back then.
On an upcoming visit to Edinburgh,Scotland and London,England I'd love to wear my beard that way. I find that beard extremely graceful. Is there any general disliking associated with it in the UK? I wouldn't wish to become a laughing stock or to draw some ire/snark. I'm in my early thirties and don't look even remotely as good as those gentlemen in the pictures.
I'm perfectly fine with a glance or two, and even a small talk about it if somebody likes to. I just don't wish to attract too much negative attention for all the wrong reasons.
Best Answer
In the UK any larger town or city you will go about invisible, the smaller the community the more you would stand out... ie a town of a few thousand then you will look different. I have a beard and dress quite well (some might call me a hipster) and live in a town of a few 10's of thousands, I do stand out a little at times depending on the area, but other people also dress well so I only get attention from the odd idiot/drunk. If I go to London/Bristol I look scruffy or the same compared to the way others dress and I am invisible. When I go to visit my mum in her tiny town I either dress down or am content to stand out like a sore thumb.
That type of beard is mostly seen on older men, although I have known people in their 20s with that type of beard, as far as I can tell it's not seen as a bad thing, it's just not something you see very often.
Go ahead, have your beard how you want, it's your beard, be proud!
Pictures about "Does wearing imperial beard in the UK attract any ire of general public?"
The Top 10 Best Beards in History
More answers regarding does wearing imperial beard in the UK attract any ire of general public?
Answer 2
My friend has a beard very similar to that, he's lived in the UK for years (and also southern Africa). You don't see it that often, and it tends to be with older men - but it's not completely out there, even in relatively small towns.
The only time I'd expect any kind of comment is late at night, where people have been drinking. Even then, it's more likely to be a compliment than an insult, I'd have thought. I think it looks pretty cool.
Answer 3
I think the only kind of beard that would possibly get you any hostility in the UK is something that looks "Islamic" (thick, long beard mostly around the bottom of the face below the mouth, moustache is absent or not prominent) for reasons around religious tension and associations with terrorism. Anything other than that is either going to be seen as amusing or just ignored.
Answer 4
Does it attract ire? I would be very surprised if it did. It's maybe not mainstream, but most people have seen re-enactors, and many may well have seen steampunks, both of whom wear a bewildering and delightful range of facial hair.
In fact, if there are any steampunk events on near you while you are in the UK, you would be more than welcome, and your friendly mutton chops would look great paired with a steampunk outfit :)
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Andrea Piacquadio, cottonbro, Ali Pazani, Helena Lopes