DH returned from a business trip with a surprise...

[Somerville]

That he's started growing a beard.

It looks like he's been on a five day bender, and he's all prickly to kiss.

But my AIBU is... he promised me a surprise. I thought it might be a large box of macarons. Or a tiny box of Hévin chocolates.

AIBU that a face full of prickly stubble is not a surprise?

(I think it goes without saying. But just in case: LIGHTHEARTED)

What a treat 😂 send him out for wine

If my husband came home with a beard for a surprise. I would surprise him and go tell him shave it off... I hate it... I think it looks scruffy. I like a clean shaven guy. Not a prickly monkey lol xx

Well technically its a surprise. Be prepared for him to spend £30 on a tiny flagon of almond oil with a fancy pants label.

My DP would know better than to surprise me with facial hair! Bleurgh!

I thought it was going to be a hickey or lipstick mark. Definitely worse surprises!

I like a man with a beard so id be happy lol.

Though id also ask for chocolate

Not the tasty kind of treat though. I sat there like "wot, no macaroons??"

I thought you were going to say “the clap”

*Macarons - my phone is very English and always autocorrects French food.
It's almost as bastarding thoughtless as DH.

Two can play that game Somerville

"I thought you were going to say “the clap”"

Me too! What a relief!

Ha! My DH sometimes sports stubble because he's lazy and it's easier than shaving. I hate it. I was really miffed the other day when he shaved and put on nice aftershave to meet the consultant at the hospital, because he rarely makes the effort for me!

DJBaggy See my first thought in reading your post was - oooh, maybe I can order him overpriced beard oil for Christmas!

Because I know a surprise means something that is for someone else, not oneself.

For some reason I thought I was reading the relationships board and expected the outcome to be ‘an STI’. So things could be worse I guess?

I too thought it was an STI...

Well technically its a surprise. Be prepared for him to spend £30 on a tiny flagon of almond oil with a fancy pants label.

Holds hand up, been there done that

I think it's bang out of order to not return with confectionary/pastries/biscuits.

I hate beards, but apparently, Partners are allowed to not consult each other on the preferred grooming of any part of their body, according to a lot on MN.

@StorminaBcup

BEfore DH and I were married, he told me he had a surprise for me. He was so excited about it!

He'd shaved his balls.

FFS.

He couldn't understand why I wasn't thrilled.
He did later, about 2 days later when the stubbled started to grow in...

I wouldn't call that a surprise!! (I, too, would be expecting some yummy chocs or macarons after a trip away)

There is only one way forward OP. You must ensure that your lady garden - for as long as your DH has a stubbly beard - is just as prickly and scratchy. If he queries it, tell him you were so enamoured with his surprise stubble, you thought you'd repay the favour.

He'll soon get the message.

It depends if it'll get your DH mistaken or discriminated as Asian. A friend of mine who is white British born and bred but with tanned complexion often get racially profilled at airports and get extra check at airports.

Yabu for not understanding the difference between a surprise and a treat

Last time DH surprised me with something unexpected from a business strip it turned out to be a spaniel puppy. Problem was he phoned me en route and said' 'I've met a gorgeous black-haired girl and I'm bringing her home with me'.

He still thinks that was funny, 14 years later.

I forgave him though- as let's face it. A spaniel puppy is pretty nice. :)

Ooh, I love a beard. Although maybe not that one in the picture