No Shave November, or Movember

[thedeathscythe]

As November comes to a close, I see many people with huge moustaches that, admittedly, makes me jealous of my lack of ability to grow a moustache. But besides my inability to grow hair above my lip, there's another reason I haven't participated in No Shave November.

If you aren't familiar with it, No Shave November, or Movember (how did it become called that? I've heard so many stories from my friends but never heard anything concrete), is an event for men where you grow you moustache all throughout November to raise awareness for prostate cancer. A very real problem with men and my heart goes out to anyone diagnosed with it. So, why don't I participate in No Shave November?

Because I would be a hypocrite. What's the point of raising awareness for something? "Raising awareness" has always been a funny thing for me, because it sounds like the end game is to have everyone aware that prostate cancer exists. I've always though awareness was to inform you of it, yes, but to also get you into action to check yourself out and to urge your friends and family to get checked out. I have not had a prostate exam; in fact the thought of just calling for one gets me nervous. I should get one, and I know I should, but I would be a hypocrite to grow a moustache and tell people to go get checked out when I can't even get myself to do the same.

I feel that many people that participate in No Shave November don't know what the point of it is, or ever plan to get checked for prostate cancer. A friend of mine is raising money for some cancer research thing; this makes sense to me, and if he doesn't shave his moustache by the end of the month, I've pledged $20 to him.

So, TL;DR: No one understands the point of No Shave November. I don't grow a moustache for it because I would be a hypocrite.

Discussion time. Are any of you participating in No Shave November? And if so, have you had a prostate exam or do you plan on getting one?

 

[Macheteswordgun]

Not getting a prostate exam but i did represent i cant grow to good of a warm above my lip but my beard is down to my chest at a min. But i did give a few prostate exams to some ladies ;D har har har.

 

[Redlin5_v1legacy]

I've never even heard of this before today. And maybe I should get an exam done sooner or later. I'm 19 though and I haven't had any problems in the past....

I also can relate to the "can't grow it" thing you're dealing with.

*Strokes shaved face thoughtfully*

 

[RatRace123]

I'm particiating because it gets cold and my beard keeps my face warm, I'm a bit too young for a prostate exam though.

Of course, I recently got braces (again, as an adult, kind of embarassing) so I may shave because I feel that an adult with braces is a bit weird.
We'll see how it goes.

 

[CoverYourHead]

Around these parts we call it a "Novembeard" and yes, I am participating. *Stands proud*

 

[SimuLord]

Getting a prostate exam is a rite of passage for a man getting older--a guy's supposed to get his first one at 50, 40 if he's got a history of prostate cancer in his family or he's African-American (black dudes are at higher risk, apparently, due to genetics).

Of course, no guy's ever died of prostate cancer in my family---the heart attacks usually get us first.

 

[thedeathscythe]

Around these parts we call it a "Novembeard" and yes, I am participating. *Stands proud*

If people called it "Novemchops" I might be able to participate. Did you get a prostate exam yet, though?

See, that's what erks me, I would just feel weird doing it but not getting myself check out, since that's arguably the whole point of the event.

 

[Vynai]

Seeing i can't really grow a Mo, I have to grow my Neck Beard.

 

[CoverYourHead]

Around these parts we call it a "Novembeard" and yes, I am participating. *Stands proud*

If people called it "Novemchops" I might be able to participate. Did you get a prostate exam yet, though?

See, that's what erks me, I would just feel weird doing it but not getting myself check out, since that's arguably the whole point of the event.

I am far too young for a prostate exam, so no!

EDIT: Holy crap! Post 20202!

 

[thedeathscythe]

Around these parts we call it a "Novembeard" and yes, I am participating. *Stands proud*

If people called it "Novemchops" I might be able to participate. Did you get a prostate exam yet, though?

See, that's what erks me, I would just feel weird doing it but not getting myself check out, since that's arguably the whole point of the event.

I am far too young for a prostate exam, so no!

EDIT: Holy crap! Post 20202!

Crazy! I'm waiting for post 666, then I guess 1337...?

How young is too young? I mean I'm only 20, but I feel that you're supposed to get one once you're an adult, and then I heard somewhere you're supposed to get yearly exams. Yearly! I guess every November it's like reminding people to get that yearly exam, but is 20 too young, am I being just too cautious in thinking I need one?

 

[Shock and Awe]

Even I wanted to participate I am not allowed due to uniform regulations about facial hair.

 

[burningdragoon]

I still don't know why it's called Movember (and no I won't use google... right now). I do also find "raise awareness" stuff like that to be kind of silly. I guess it's good to keep things like that in peoples mind for one reason or another. I think it's more important that you actually do something, like hold a fundraiser or something, or at least make it more known what the point of your thing is.

As far as participation goes, no and under more ideal circumstances I would have a beard/stache regardless of what month it was.

 

[TeeBs]

Eh, I think this is one of those things that can be done just for the fun of it and not hurt anyone.

 

[j0frenzy]

To be honest this is the first time in three years I have heard anyone connect it to prostate cancer. Where I am from, it is just a convenient excuse for college guys to not shave for a month. So no, I do not participate. For 2 reasons:
1) I don't need an excuse to grow a beard. I want a beard, I grow one.
2) Since it is not connected to any movement where I am from, I find it kind of chauvinist. For me, it always represented a month where guys purposefully undergo bad grooming habits to show how 'manly' they are, but at the same time, I am willing to bet most of the people who are participating without a political cause would not date a woman who did not shave for a month. Personally, I don't care about how people deal with their appearance, I would just be happy without the double-standard.