Budman,
The real issue with the beard and long hair is, it does not detract from my ability nor how I interact with customers. I grew a beard while in the Navy, and it has been a part of me for 30+years. I feed my family well and look at it like this, it's their loss not mine. And still have a bad taste from the layoff they did because of the way it was done witrh my son being involved. All is good, and should I get to the point I cannot feed the family, I might have to consider a shave and a haircut, but until, "NOT"