Fall 1984

Business school, recruiting season, on campus interviews

Winter 1985

In office interviews, business lunch, did anyone say anything about your beard?  Job offer

August 19, 1985

My first day on the job.  Computer Consultant.  Corporate America.  Show up at the NYC office after taking the train.  An empty office.  Guess I didn’t get the memo.  There’s an office party in the suburbs.

Scramble for directions, arrive in a suit, everyone’s casual, the only one with a beard.

Next day I show up at work, short sleeves.  After a few days, the HR lady says, “we don’t wear short sleeve shirts.  It’s unprofessional.”

September 30, 1985

My training complete, 3 weeks in NYC, 3 weeks in St. Charles, IL.  I show up at the office in Roseland, NJ.  Ready for my first assignment.  The partner asks if anyone has talked to me about my beard.  Well, I can’t tell you to shave, but nobody here has a beard.

October 1, 1985

I show up in Trenton, NJ.  Clean shaven, suit, long sleeve shirt, suitable, completely uncomfortable

2000, a new millennium

Computer consultants no longer wear suits, now business casual

September 4, 2007

Change careers.  Financial advisor.  We wear suits, long sleeve shirts.

2010, a new decade

Decide to go business casual, controversial, younger generation follows, grow beards

March 16, 2020

COVID.  I work from home in my pajamas, shaving whenever I feel the urge.

I’m a professional.