h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Pan surely didn't have a relationship with the Creek Indians of America.

And I'm afraid I'm going to second Mr. Moxon's comments.
'Ahem'

For me, it came about over a week-long vacation in which I didn't shave. Then, as I often do while shaving a week's worth of beard, I got to experimenting with different looks (I usually wind up with a Hitler mustache before shaving it all off). My daughter, who was 4 at the time, said she liked the goat and asked me to keep it.

Since it wasn't the Hitler, I said OK. It served to cover a rather deep scar on my chin from a root beer explosion (that's another story) and my wife didn't recoil in horror at the sight of it.

Two years has passed and my youngest daughter has never seen me without it. So I'm afraid to shave it off and have her fail to recognize me. I reckon in a couple more years it'll disappear, but as you can see - anything with this kind of history belongs on my chin and deserves a tiny bit of respect.

btw: You failed to distinguish between the ones that are pointy (like Satan's and Col. Sanders') and the ones that are more rounded and infinitely more sexy (like Mark's and my own).

Nice little entry though.

- X

You forgot Popeye's nemesis Bluto, Jimi - that's who mine always reminds me of

Goatees do have the advantage of making the "fuller" face appear rather less... wide. This was ably demonstrated by my own role model, Stephen Page of the Barenaked Ladies. Furthermore, they offer all the appearance-changing advantages of a full beard without the itchy bit under your chin. They can be shaved off on a whim and re-grown in just a few days. They are, in fact, the ultimate facial accessory.

Now if you want to talk stupid beards, I was at college with a guy who grew hair round his throat but none above his chin line. Very strange.

Jimi, I have sent Pan home to Greece. I just know he would have hated America. All those people saying "have a nice day".

GVI, I look forward to reading your companion article: "In Defence of Goatees".

Great Looney! Have a great day!

Well, I've got a goatee and I'm a so I guess its OK

Incidentally, my girlfriend complained when I shaved mine off a few months ago and made me grow it back.
I periodically get annoyed with it as trimming a beard is more of a pain than simply shaving. I have solved this by buying some electric hairclippers - grade 1 - wham bam, 2 minutes - easy.