BEARDS

As a beard wearer since 1972, I enjoyed Preston Lerner’s little essay on whiskers (Looks, “By a Whisker,” Dec. 17).

I agree with his claim that a well-groomed beard is the “clearest distinction between a civilized man and a barbarian.” However, the reason I have never bowed to pressure to shave mine is that a beard is fast becoming the only distinction between a civilized man and a civilized woman.

TOM HOGAN, Cypress