Article in Evening Herald about Movember

Ectoplasm

The article below was in today's Evening Herald. There's a thread about it in AH, but I was wondering what other tLLers think of this?

Personally, I think it is pretty much a disgrace - she's knocking a worthwhile fund raising effort for something that comes down to aesthetics, with not even a nod towards approving what it's all about. I really resent her lumping all women into this, imo, idiotic viewpoint.

Colette Fitzpatrick: Sooner this 'Movember' nonsense ends the better - I'll take women stripping to their smalls over men growing moustaches for charity any day

Notice you're suffering from stubble rash these days, ladies? Well, we're at the half-way point; 15 days in and the men in your life should be looking a little more Village People.
They started the month clean shaven and by now should be rocking some sort of suspect facial hair for Movember -- the month that your man, or now 'Mo-bro', gets to grow a Ronnie in a bid to raise awareness and money for cancer.
Also known as pash (passion) rash, beard or stubble rash is about as passionate as running a cheese grater along your cheek. But this month we're willing to turn a blind eye, or indeed a raw face.

Tarzan
One of my colleagues looks like he's just emerged from some sort of mancave. I'm expecting him to ditch the suit and go full Tarzan, swaddled in leopard print loincloths, club in hand.
I'll see you the lead singer of ZZ top and raise you this former sales executive. Somebody call the king of the jungle, this guy's gone off side with Jane.
Other friends and colleagues are sporting something that resembles bum fluff. Man up guys, and go for the full Dr Phil or Tom Selleck.
The 'trash-tache' is the skinny moustache favoured by the man who wants to bring you back to his trailer. 'Cop-tache' is for the guy who yearned to be a member of the Californian Highway Patrol and should always be teamed with aviators. "Nothing to see here, ladies. Move on."
The 'porn-tache' is straight from dodgy 70s porn movies -- think handlebars, bad acting and Freddie Mercury. And the 'Salvador Dali' is for the arty menfolk, you know. It's simply not committed enough for the hairiest month of the year. Channel your inner gorilla and drag those knuckles on the ground.
The goatee and carefully shaped sideburns say 'I'm a socialist' and are in keeping with the zeitgeist this year. Cutting out buying razor blades at extortionate prices is certainly one way of keeping to the emergency budget in your home.
Designer stubble a la George Michael and Don Johnson must be making a comeback with legwarmers, emigration and scrunchies from the 80s. Team this look with a white blazer, rolling up the sleeves to your elbows.
Last November Brad Pitt never got the memo that you had to shave it off at the end of the month. He didn't de-fuzz for months, leading many to wonder did his chin suddenly become weaker? Was Angelina hiding a few more babies in there? Thankfully he eventually got the pinking shears out and we were able to re-obsess.

Grooming
Note to guys -- when the end of November comes, shave it off. We don't dig hirsute as much as you dig not having to bother with this simple piece of daily grooming. If you're still looking like a yeti in December, you'll feel the cold front from us and the reason might be under your nose. Literally.
Let's just hope women stick to stripping down to their smalls to raise money for charity. Altruism is no excuse for the fairer sex to have hair on their chinny chin chin ...

Link to the Movember site: http://ie.movember.com/

Silverfish

There's already a thread on this in After Hours, so if anyone wants to post witty one liners please go there.

Also, please be aware that any abusive posts will result in bans, as there is now a warning here and nobody can state there were no warnings.

The new abuse rules apply here also.

Discussion of celebrities.

There are fine lines between banter, criticism and abuse. To protect the boards.ie community from legal threats, abuse towards celebrities will not be tolerated.

This is not about stifling discussion, or fair criticism ... it's about decent, dignified posting. Lighthearted mocking and pisstaking is OK in context but
nasty abuse, lies, insinuations and potentially libellous comments are not OK

If you are abusive towards celebs or other public figures you may get a warning or an infraction, your post may be removed and you can even get banned at the moderators discretion the same way you would if you were abusive towards another poster.

Silverfish

I can't figure out where she was coming from with that article at all.

Movember is a great thing. Surely the aesthetics of personal preference of the facial hair of the opposite sex is just completely and utterly irrelevant in this.

This would be like me writing an article on why I just don't like custard creams. It would be boring, too specific to me personally and basically unpublishable.

I actually cringed reading it.

Orla K

My first time admitting it to people (because it's never come up before) but I don't like it not because of how it looks but because whenever I ask someone why guys are doing it the only answer is "they're raising money for charity" but I still don't actually know what charity. Alot of guys do it as an excuse not to shave and act the muppet/look fairly stupid.

In theory it should be a good month for me, I like a guy with facial hair but they're putting me off it now, just because of the stupidity of it.

That said it is a good way of raising money for charity(I just don't know what charity)

Das Kitty

God, I love seeing all the Mo's around. A couple of years ago you'd see the odd one and the guy looking a bit sheepish but now it's everywhere it's brill. As well as the charity aspect it's great to see men with facial hair styles you would never normally see. There's a guy at work with a Victorian style affair with mutton chops and the works.

Maybe the author's boyfriend should stop kissing her to save her the stubble rash...

ztoical

Silverfish wrote: »

I can't figure out where she was coming from with that article at all.

+ 1 I was just about to type the same thing. It sounds more like she suffers pogonophobia ie a fear of beards or is just really OC about hygiene. If you don't like facial hair fine but I know plenty of women who really dig facial hair [I swing for and against as it does suit some faces better then others]

She makes it sounds like growing a beard for Moevember is like growing underarm hair, not washing and not using deodorant, just because someone has some extra hair on their face doesn't mean they aren't 'grooming'

Das Kitty

Orla K wrote: »

That said it is a good way of raising money for charity(I just don't know what charity)

Men's cancer charities.

ztoical

Orla K wrote: »

That said it is a good way of raising money for charity(I just don't know what charity)

It's for mens health issues like prostate cancer and depression.

Ectoplasm

It's about raising money for prostate cancer. I don't think it's fair to say that guys are doing it to act the muppet or look stupid - these things might form part of it, but that is just having some fun with it, which is only a good thing.

It doesn't follow that you can't have fun while raising money for charity...especially when such fun can be had with the wide variety of 'taches that can be displayed. I actually think it adds to the whole thing.

epgc3fyqirnbsx

Orla K wrote: »

My first time admitting it to people (because it's never come up before) but I don't like it not because of how it looks but because whenever I ask someone why guys are doing it the only answer is "they're raising money for charity" but I still don't actually know what charity. Alot of guys do it as an excuse not to shave and act the muppet/look fairly stupid.

In theory it should be a good month for me, I like a guy with facial hair but they're putting me off it now, just because of the stupidity of it.

That said it is a good way of raising money for charity(I just don't know what charity)

It's much easier to shave everything than fashion a moustache

LittleBook

It's baffling really, is she trying to be funny?

I can't stand stubble but Movember is a great idea not just for the fundraising but (maybe even more importantly) the awareness aspect.

Will

I have been taking part in movember for the past 3 years. Main reason being it's for cancer awareness as my grandfather and more lately my cousin (24) has fallen victim to it. My mother had it and a woman on my road is fighting a losing battle, a battle I would not wish on my worst enemy.

Most people are made aware of cancer unfortunately when it is too late, when a close friend or family member has it. If growing a moustache makes people aware of cancer who otherwise wouldn't have been then it is all worth it, as catching it early is paramount.

First year I did it I raised around €800, this year and last year the amount was a lot less as people have less money to spend let alone donate to charity. My focus was never really on the money was more about awareness as I think it is far more effective than any amount of money raised. i.e all the money in the world isn't gonna save you if you are terminally ill from cancer.

Orla K

I need this cleared up, and this is why I don't know what its for

Is it mens cancer charities, mens health issues or just prostate cancer?

Also I'm not in any way saying that they shouldn't have a laugh while doing it, and nothing wrong with looking like a fool for a bit but since the popularity of it has increased I've found alot more guys doing it and they don't give a crap about whatever charity it's for. They're the ones ruining it for me.

Nervous Wreck

Orla K wrote: »

My first time admitting it to people (because it's never come up before) but I don't like it not because of how it looks but because whenever I ask someone why guys are doing it the only answer is "they're raising money for charity" but I still don't actually know what charity.

Wait, so you don't like Movember because you haven't bothered to ask anyone directly what charity they're collecting for?

epgc3fyqirnbsx

Orla K wrote: »

I need this cleared up, and this is why I don't know what its for

Is it mens cancer charities, mens health issues or just prostate cancer?

Also I'm not in any way saying that they shouldn't have a laugh while doing it, and nothing wrong with looking like a fool for a bit but since the popularity of it has increased I've found alot more guys doing it and they don't give a crap about whatever charity it's for. They're the ones ruining it for me.

Even if 'they' dont give a crap who cares, does the end not justify the means? No one gets hurt and money goes to a good cause which also needs to be publicised.

Ticks all the boxes imo

Will

Orla K wrote: »

I need this cleared up, and this is why I don't know what its for

Is it mens cancer charities, mens health issues or just prostate cancer?

Also I'm not in any way saying that they shouldn't have a laugh while doing it, and nothing wrong with looking like a fool for a bit but since the popularity of it has increased I've found alot more guys doing it and they don't give a crap about whatever charity it's for. They're the ones ruining it for me.

Have a look here - http://ie.movember.com/

As far as I'm aware the donated money goes to action prostate cancer, a part of the wider irish cancer society with money also going for general cancer issues.

here found this also - http://ie.movember.com/faq/#faq-139

Where does the money go?

The Movember Foundation is a national not-for-profit, charitable organisation which runs the men’s health initiative, Movember each year.

All the funds raised in Ireland by the Movember campaign go to the Irish Cancer Society and their programme Action Prostate Cancer.

For more information on the projects funded by Movember please click here.

So it goes to both the irish cancer society and action prostate cancer.

Raze_them_all

I honestly don't know how this got published. It is the equivilant of a man coming out and saying woman stop being stupid and trying to raise awareness for ovarian cancer.

As for the stubble rash thing...I generally have facial hair, the only time my bird gets stubble rash off of me is when i do shave. The longer your facial fair the less rough it is.

You honestly wonder how articles like this make it past the editer.

Kooli

I don't have a huge issue with the article.

Most people are of the opinion that most Movember moustaches look ridiculous, and the more ridiculous the better for the month that's in it.

That's all the article is saying as far as I can see - basically 'we will put up with your ridiculous moustaches because it's Movember, please don't forget to shave them off afterwards', and that's it?

Raze_them_all

"Let's just hope women stick to stripping down to their smalls to raise money for charity. Altruism is no excuse for the fairer sex to have hair on their chinny chin chin ... "


So women in their underwear raising money for their charities is more acceptable and to be endorced more than fully clothed men with facial hair?

I like women with tattoo's and piercings. I can't imagine writing an article on it and getting it published so why is her hate for facial hair publiushed?

Handsome Bob

Raze_them_all wrote: »

You honestly wonder how articles like this make it past the editer.

It's because of the reaction such articles will get, it's lowest common denominator stuff in order to get people visiting the website and buying newspapers.

Ethical and good journalism is becoming an increasingly rare thing these days.

Rockery Woman

Maybe Im a minority here but I actually love a bit of stubble. A friend of mine is growing a beard at the moment and he is looking SEXY!!!;)

I know one girl who forces her fella to shave every day, sometimes twice - poor guy!

Movember is great firstly for the money and awareness for protstrate cancer.

And secondly - all those sexy real men mmmmmm!!!!!

Ickle Magoo

crappy journo wrote:

We don't dig hirsute as much as you dig not having to bother with this simple piece of daily grooming

Who's this we she keeps referring to? To date I've made three donations to guys who are growing a 'tache for movember...and I like facial hair, thanks very much!

I can't stand the kind of lazy journalism that assumes to speak for everyone with their own personal OCD rant - and it seems to be based on the fact she knows so little about men and their daily grooming that she actually thinks growing an itchy beard is less hassle than zooming around a chin with an electric shaver...

The bottom line is; it's for charity. Up until Movember I'm struggling to think of a charity that specifically raised awareness for men's health and it's great there is something that men can do to support a charity and commemorate the male members of their friends and family. I have a heap of pink/pink ribbon products, my husband grows a beard once a year - seriously, what's the issue?

That has to be one of the most pointless, vacuous and mean-spirited articles spewed to date. :mad:

Maguined

It's not as fun as it sounds, well in my case anyway. I am not that hairy a guy, I shave about once a week and only by the weekend does the stubble start to look a bit scruffy. I look like a teenage boy first going through puberty with a stupid looking ronnie and then when it starts to begin to look like a proper tache it looks even worse as I have no hair right under my nose, it's a complete bald patch which basically means I have an inverse Hitler tache.

So basically I look like an idiot for a month and have no false perceptions that it looks good but you know its for a good cause, I think daffodils also look stupid but I still buy one every year as well.

Orla K

My multi quote didn't work for some reason, now I'll do lazy quote
Just want to clear a few things up

It's much easier to shave everything than fashion a moustache

I didn't really mean the ease of it, I know alot of guys that shaving irritates them and would only shave when they have to

Wait, so you don't like Movember because you haven't bothered to ask anyone directly what charity they're collecting for?

The thing was I got different answers each time, which confused me so I could never say I knew what it was for. I had a feeling it was cancer of some sort but could never be sure, until now, thank you Will your the first one with a proper answer.

Even if 'they' dont give a crap who cares, does the end not justify the means? No one gets hurt and money goes to a good cause which also needs to be publicised.

Ticks all the boxes imo

All I'm saying is I don't like it, and giving my reasons(which is completly different to the article who has probably never actually been with a guy with facial hair more than a day old) I don't really expect people to agree with me but for me if your raising money for charity you should give a crap about what the charity does.

But then I also have a dislike of cancer charities (completely personal) and tend to avoid things to raise money for them.

So in short I just don't like it, there's nothing wrong with it and as I said before it's a good way of raising money but I just don't like it for my own reasons, I would expect most people to disagree with me too.

krudler

But then I also have a dislike of cancer charities (completely personal) and tend to avoid things to raise money for them.

CathyMoran

I think that the author of that article was incredibly mean spirited and ignorant...it is not as if we did not have a month of pink the month before. Fair dues to all the men participating in Movember.

I was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in 2006 when I was just 32 - it can happen to anyone.

LittleBook

Raze_them_all wrote: »

I honestly don't know how this got published ... You honestly wonder how articles like this make it past the editer.

LZ5by5 wrote: »

It's because of the reaction such articles will get, it's lowest common denominator stuff in order to get people visiting the website and buying newspapers.

In the online version of this "newspaper", the top articles in the NEWS section (not the Entertainment section) are:

- Helen Mirren receiving an award
- Some chap from the X-Factor doesn't like some girl from the X-Factor
- Prince William's engagement
- A model changing agents (!)

LZ5by5 wrote: »

Ethical and good journalism is becoming an increasingly rare thing these days.

Actually, I think journalism is becoming an increasingly rare thing these days. It's all sh'te like Opinions like this, thinly veiled advertisements for property developments and blatant protection of the publishers interests or presentation of their agenda.

reprazant

Orla K wrote: »

But then I also have a dislike of cancer charities (completely personal) and tend to avoid things to raise money for them.

Wow.

LittleBook

CathyMoran wrote: »

I think that the author of that article was incredibly mean spirited and ignorant...it is not as if we did not have a month of pink the month before. Fair dues to all the men participating in Movember.

I was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in 2006 when I was just 32 - it can happen to anyone.

Ironically she had an article recently entreating women to put down this paper and feel your breasts to raise breast cancer awareness.

I see Dr Bollocko has locked the AH thread on the subject because he wants to avoid "giving these people the gift of discussion. Which is entirely what they want and crave".

So I'll just shut up now.

Wibbs

krudler and reprazant, Orla K has explained she has her personal reasons, so can we leave it at that. Thanks.

Handsome Bob

LittleBook wrote: »

Actually, I think journalism is becoming an increasingly rare thing these days. It's all sh'te like Opinions like this, thinly veiled advertisements for property developments and blatant protection of the publishers interests or presentation of their agenda.

Now that is very true, I think newspaper outlets have learned that news is very much interchangeable in this day and age, especially because of online media. More and more newspapers are producing opinion pieces from either hacks or genuinely interesting journalists (mostly hacks) in order to set them apart from their competition.