“No shave November,” also known as “novembeard,” by definition is the month of November in which you don't shave any hair of your body but instead you grow more bestial, brutish, and manly (source: urban dictionary.com). The rules are simple: Rule #1- Be a man. Sorry girls, invent your own holiday. Rule #2 - No shaving or grooming of any kind, for the whole month of November. It’s as simple as that. A couple years back I was blessed with information regarding this movement, and I’m not sure that there is anything I have been more excited for in my life. I figured not shaving for a whole month is not only a great way to keep your cheeks and neck warm in the nippy chill of November, but can also be a great bonding experience for you and your buddies, via beard. I feel pretty confident in saying that in every man’s life, even if it was for not but a brief moment, we have all had a desire to grow that trophy of manhood most commonly known as a beard. I know I have. The problem is, for some untold reason, a beard is not very socially acceptable. In my opinion this is not right. Back in the old days, all great men had beards. Everyone had beards for that matter. It seems as though society has lost its way somewhere around the 1930’s.
Just when I thought novembeard couldn’t get any better, I learned what it was REALLY about. The brief history goes as follows; although great men have been growing face sweaters since the beginning of time, no shave November hasn’t always been around. No shave November first came to be in the mid 90’s in Australia. A group of Australian men decided they would grow beards through November as a way to express their masculinity and honor their manhood. This tradition quickly reached dozen of countries. A few of the countries that got on board are Ireland, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Spain, the United Kingdom, Israel, South Africa, and the United States. Men embraced the tradition all over the world so it spread like wildfire. Then in 2003, the tradition changed forever. Movember was created. Movember is an annual, month-long event involving the growing of moustaches during the month of November. But movember was more than just another way for men to celebrate their manhood. Movember had a bigger purpose. It was created to raise awareness and funds for men’s health issues such as prostate cancer and depression. Movember officially became a charity one year later in 2004, and to this day runs fundraisers and charity’s all over the world. Naturally, with movember now existing, no shave November was quickly affiliated with it. So whether you’re a mustache dude or a beard dude; grow it and show it, wear it proudly, and you will be helping a great cause.
One might ask, “How does me growing my facial hair help fight prostate cancer?” Valid questions. I know, I asked the same thing. It works like this; if you are a clean shaven individual and decide not to shave for more than a couple days people will notice. Why? Because it is out of your norm. People are not used to seeing you with facial hair. This will eventually spark some interest and ultimately some questions. You most likely will end up having more than one conversation that goes like this:
Jenny: “Hey Bill, I’m liking the scurff!”
Bill: “Thanks Jenny!”
Jenny: “So.. are your just trying something new or..”
Bill: “It's no shave November!”
Jenny: “What is no shave November?”
Bill: “It's when you don’t shave the whole month to raise awareness for men’s health issues.”
Jenny will then look it up online for more information and end up on one of the many fundraising sites. Hopefully she will end up making a donation.
The great part is this movement is growing so fast! More and more men are growing facial hair every year. The more people there are with beards and mustaches, the more confused people without beards and mustaches will be. Confusion = desire for answers. Desire for answers = looking for answers. Looking for answers = finding answers. Finding Answers = knowledge and donations, and hopefully the desire to participate next November.
One might say, “Andrew, I mustache you a question!”
“What if I already have a beard year round?”
Great question. If you have a beard year round, first, you're awesome. Second, maybe for the month of November, shave it and just keep a “movember mustache.” Or If you are like me and usually have a mustache year round, grow a beard. Ladies, just because you are unable to grow beards doesn’t not mean you don’t matter in this equation. Men want your approval. Your job is important. Praise the facial hair. Complement it, play with it, do whatever you need to do to boost men’s facial hair growing confidence around the world. Even if you really hate facial hair, which you shouldn’t because it’s amazing, pretend like you like it for just one month out of the year.
In conclusion, whether you grow peach fuzz or Velcro on your cheeks, grow out those cheek bushes and soup strainers. Wear them proud with your head held high because you look great, feel like a real man, and most importantly, you are helping a great cause.
- Andrew
Wednesday, May 2, 2012 at 9:55PM | 
