4 Amazing facts about beards.

4 Amazing facts about beards.

Makes a difference on how others see you, it accompanies you in your life and it has played an important role in our history and shaping of our culture.

1. C.I.A. tried to overthrow communism in Cuba by making Fidel Castro’s beard fall off.

Operation “Cuba” , also known as operation “Mongoose”, was an illegal operation by the C.I.A. which took place during the presidential term of J.F. Kennedy. It consisted of 33 secret plans (knows as the 33 live Mongoose species) which aimed at weakening Fidel Castro’s influence in Cuba.

One of them, as absurd as it may sound, was to make his beard fall off. The thought behind this move, was that they would be taking away one of his strong features which made him look prestigious and strong in the eyes of the Cubans.

Fidel’s beard was his characteristic trait, the expression of his personality engraved on his face.

2. Alexander the Great made all of his soldiers shave before battle.

… as they could prove fatal in battle if the enemy grabbed them.

Even though this theory sounds reasonable, Alexander did not think of the psychological effect a beard has. Beards make the soldiers’ face look more intimidating. This tactic was later proven very effective by the Vikings. 

Having a beard makes you look more confident and makes you seem more powerful at first sight, even if that is not necessarily true.

3. Professional study of beards is called “Beardology”.

It may sound ridiculous, but this terminology actually exists. It is a branch of dermatology, with few applications, at least nowadays. 

So if you enjoy going through tons of information and studying beards, you should include the attribute of “Beardologist” in your resume. You never know which big company might need you.

4. Peter the Great of Russia put a tax on beards.

Aiming to comply with the principals of Western Europe, Peter the Great, the beardophobic emperor of Russia, forced men with beards to pay a special trax in the year 1698.

Every Russian citizen who had a beard was forced to pay a fine of 100 Ruble per year.

 It was really hard for the people of Russia to embrace shaving their beard and mustache and that is why Peter decided to pass this tax law.

The people who could not afford this, meaning the poor and villagers, upon entering the cities, if they had a beard, the guards stopped them and made them pay a fine in order for them to come in. 

Source: www.mousatoi.gr