The Psychology of a Clean Shave

[thirdeye]

The Psychology of a Clean Shave

There are many things that enter so intimately into the routine of our daily lives that we never give them a passing thought. Their significant, no matter how vital, is overlooked. Shaving, for instance was one I myself overlooked for a long time.

This statement may sound ridiculous, but it is not. You know how it is yourself. You know the direct bearing a clean shave has on your personal morale. Compare the way you feel in making and important call or attending a special meeting when you are freshly shaved with the way you feel with a day’s growth of stubble on your chin. There’s all the difference in the world. It seems a trivial thing to have such an effect upon you, but for some psychological reason, it does have that effect – and you know it.

Enjoy the shave!!!

[DFrancis]

+1, I always feel better after a shave. I feel it's relaxing and gives me a break. When I'm shaving I can forget everything and just be in the moment. As mentioned I too feel better going about my day clean shaven, it also helps that SWBMO gives out more kisses to a freshly shaved face.

[The Last Chimney]

Counterpoint: A clean shave angers me, but I do it every day, because it's better to feel the slow boiling rage that comes with a smooth chin than to release the day's tensions with a few good old coffee-mug-tosses at my pleasantly resilient concrete patio deck.

[thirdeye]

Counterpoint: A clean shave angers me, but I do it every day, because it's better to feel the slow boiling rage that comes with a smooth chin than to release the day's tensions with a few good old coffee-mug-tosses at my pleasantly resilient concrete patio deck.

Bummer.....

[Blue_2]

I completely agree. Not only does a shave relax me, it sets the mood for awhile.

If things aren't going well that day I can always enjoy the "job well done" of my BBS face.

[jrowen]

Completely agree. Something about a good shave makes you feel like you're starting your day on purpose, and gives a little sense of accomplishment and confidence that carries through the day.

- Jason

[RF1963]

Completely agree. Something about a good shave makes you feel like you're starting your day on purpose, and gives a little sense of accomplishment and confidence that carries through the day.

- Jason

+1. add the sensory pleasures (smell of the soap/cream, the sound of the whiskers surrendering to the blade, the feel of the proraso pre/post shave) and I wouldn't give up shaving for the world.

[Jorocom]

I agree. When I'm freshly shaved I feel as if I have my "real" face. The girlfriend keeps saying that stubble is sexy...but I love shaving too much!

[Loric]

I take a lot of pride in my shave too. I hated shaving for years and years, and I never really could do a good job of it. My 5 oclock shadow started at 10am, and to be honest the stubble just seemed to be part of being a man.

Now that I am wet shaving, all of that has changed. I take pride in my new found skill and my smooth face. Where stubble once made me feel like a man, a close shave makes me feel like a gentleman. Plus my girlfriend loves it too, so the extra attention is great reinforcement for the psychological effect.

[RazoRock]

Nowadays, the first thing I take notice when I meet someone is the quality of their shave. I believe there is a link between personal grooming and professionalism, at least in a general sense.

[TheFlyingFrenchman]

There is a huge moral boost in a clean shaven face. You feel read to take on the world. It's one of the reasons that we hand out disposable razors and barbasol at shelters around town here. A wandering gentleman will be able to get a clean shave even if he has little else. And that little bit can make all the difference if your looking for a job to get you back on your feet for instance.

[Sydney Guy]

ISTR that the USAF or RAF did a study of the factors that influenced the survival rate of airmen who crashed in wilderness situations. It turned out that there was a high correlation between whether the survivors shaved regularly and how well they coped. The shavers had higher morale, looked after themselves and their equipment better, were more proactive and presumably had a higher survival rate (difficult to see how they'd question the non-survivors about their shaving habits!). Being cleanshaven positively affected their mindset.

So lather up! Particularly if you have just crashed in the middle of a howling wilderness.

[DavyRay]

I've got this neighbor. He's 95 years old or so. He is retired (don't laugh). I see him in the mornings. Usually he is cleaning sticks out of his yard. He is well-shaved, and well-groomed. He is also well-dressed. I have had to answer his alarm service when they could not get to him. He was on a ladder cleaning out his gutters. He gets the car out on Sundays, to take his old Aunt out for dinner. I think she is 105 years old.

I have never seen this guy in a bathrobe schlepping around his house. The moral of the story? I'm just saying what I see.

[Uncle Erik]

Yes, I do feel better cleanshaven with an excellent DE shave. One thing that's always a kick is when I go into the office on weekends. Sometimes, I'll let it grow a day or two and people are surprised, almost as if they thought I wasn't capable of growing stubble.

Also, as a nightshaver, nothing makes me feel more relaxed and satisfied with the day than going to bed completely smooth and smelling of whatever I chose to apply. It's wonderful. It's also wonderful waking up smooth and knowing I can enjoy a few more minutes in the shower instead of hurrying a shave.

[PhatMan]

Hi,

I shave when I get home from work; it really does away with the crap, stress and misery arising from the working day, leaving me feeling much, much better

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

[Hansel]

Oh I totally understand the feeling.

I've got something else to add to all of the above. I've noticed that on the occasions when I had to go a day with little or no sleep, the act of shaving after my morning shower makes me feel less haggard and rough through the rest of the day.

The girlfriend keeps saying that stubble is sexy...

Oh yhea, I heard that one...With the addition that while stubble is sexy to look at, its not sexy to scrape her delicate skin up with it!

[honed]

AMEN to that Brother

[Just looking]

Where stubble once made me feel like a man, a close shave makes me feel like a gentleman.

Very nicely put

[djh]

Very true Ray. Hope that you are doing well and thanks for the good thoughts.

[straight_razor_dave]

Amen Brother!!!!!