707CMF From France, joined Mar 2002, 4885 posts, RR: 32 Posted (9 years 2 months 1 week 4 days 3 hours ago) and read 1276 times:
I am facing a dillemma right now : I am going on holidays to the US next week, and haven't shaved for a few days (6 so far today). I am conducting this stupid little experiment to see how long I can do without shaving (like those who see how long they can do without showering but in a cleaner way. )
Problem is : would I have any problem going through TSA if I look like an unshaved terrorist ? In a better way to put it : should I shave before going there ?
David b. From United States of America, joined Jun 2001, 3148 posts, RR: 6 Reply 1, posted (9 years 2 months 1 week 4 days 2 hours ago) and read 1248 times:
Depends on what part of your body tou want to shave
Photopilot From Cuba, joined Jul 2002, 2439 posts, RR: 20 Reply 6, posted (9 years 2 months 1 week 4 days 2 hours ago) and read 1206 times:
Shaving? My god, what a pagan custom. I stopped scraping my face with a steel blade almost 28 years ago. Sure makes mornings easier. Shampoo the hair, shampoo the face, towel dry, brush hair, brush face, out the door.
FSPilot747 From United States of America, joined Oct 1999, 3599 posts, RR: 14 Reply 8, posted (9 years 2 months 1 week 4 days 1 hour ago) and read 1200 times:
SSTjumbo From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 12, posted (9 years 2 months 1 week 4 days 1 hour ago) and read 1189 times:
If you do shave, the best thing you might do to look "friendly" is actually leave about 3" of sideburns (to the bottom of earlobes) on each side of your face. This is merely a suggestion, but I don't know of too many terrorists who look like that. Think Dwayne Johnson, i.e. The Rock ( ).
Jhooper From United States of America, joined Dec 2001, 6195 posts, RR: 13 Reply 13, posted (9 years 2 months 1 week 4 days 1 hour ago) and read 1183 times:
I'd suggest shaving, personally. I know the 9/11 hijackers were clean-shaven, but all those images of UBL on TV instill a fear in the American people of Middle Eastern-looking people with beards. The more "clean cut" and "American" you look, the less problems you'll probably have. The immigration officers probably have enough sense to not single you out for that reason alone, but the average Joe on the street might be another story. I know, it's sad that I'm writing this, because I wish we weren't that way, but I believe it's the truth, from my perspective.
Last year 1,944 New Yorkers saw something and said something.
Srbmod From United States of America, joined Mar 2001, 16888 posts, RR: 51 Reply 15, posted (9 years 2 months 1 week 4 days 1 hour ago) and read 1177 times:
You should shave so you don't look like the typical "dirty Frenchman".
Aa61hvy From United States of America, joined Nov 1999, 13975 posts, RR: 59 Reply 19, posted (9 years 2 months 1 week 3 days 21 hours ago) and read 1100 times:
FoxBravo From United States of America, joined Nov 2003, 2806 posts, RR: 5 Reply 22, posted (9 years 2 months 1 week 3 days 19 hours ago) and read 1037 times:
Honestly, I wouldn't worry about it. There are enough Americans with scruffy beards that I really don't think the TSA or Customs will care. If you had a scruffy beard AND were wearing a skullcap AND were waving a Saudi passport in one hand and a Koran in the other, maybe that would get their attention. But I don't think a beard in itself will cause any problems.
SlamClick From United States of America, joined Nov 2003, 10062 posts, RR: 71 Reply 23, posted (9 years 2 months 1 week 3 days 18 hours ago) and read 1032 times:
Want to have some fun? Carry a folding straight razor! Tell TSA you plan to shave on the plane.
Seriously, I think I would try to look as much as possible like the picture on my passport. Unless, of course, it is a black-and-white picture.
I'll resist the boorish American comment that if you want to persuade them that you really are French you should stop showering. (Oops, I was going to resist that.)
Enjoy your visit. I apologize for the bread. Enjoy some local wine, especially if you go to California.
Happiness is not seeing another trite Ste. Maarten photo all week long.
MidnightMike From United States of America, joined Mar 2003, 2892 posts, RR: 16 Reply 24, posted (9 years 2 months 1 week 3 days 18 hours ago) and read 1011 times:
Well, if you want to get laid, then you better shave.
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From France, joined Mar 2002, 4885 posts, 
but in a cleaner way. )
From United States of America, joined Jun 2001, 3148 posts, 
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).
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But I don't think a beard in itself will cause any problems.
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