Men may grow beards just because

DEAR MISS MANNERS: In recent months it seems that more and more men are growing facial hair in a variety of styles.

I first noticed this when my parish priest returned from a sabbatical with a somewhat unflattering growth of beard. Many professional athletes have beards and long hair. Television ads depict men of all ages wearing beards. Even TV anchormen and their guests have beards.

Do you have any thoughts about what is behind this craze?

GENTLE READER? Well, it could be aesthetics, admiration for historical figures, a need for disguise, a yearning for variety, or any number of things that also motivate ladies to change the way they look. Or inertia – a powerful force that makes for interesting trends.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My son has asked that we not post pictures of our treasured grandbaby on Facebook, a request that we have respected. Neither my son nor my daughter-in-law has a Facebook account.

My problem is, I see that my son’s mother-in-law and sister-in-law post pictures of the baby all the time. They even call her by name.

So, do I tell them about the postings, or mind my own business, even knowing how this will upset them when they find out? And they will find out.

GENTLE READER: If they will find out anyway, why invite them to kill the messenger?

If your son and daughter-in-law ask if you have seen these postings, you may say that you didn’t want to get involved, which, whether true or not, is hardly blameworthy. You have been handed a rare case in which the problem will solve itself without your intervention. Miss Manners encourages you to take it.