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)

MY EYES, MY EYES!

Id love it! Love a stubbly beard:very sexy

DS used to shout "NO DADDY, NO KISSES, CUT YOUR BEARD OFF" until DH gave in and shaved, but 6 weeks might be a bit soon for your wee one to do that

This is a great opportunity to take up being a ventriloquist though

I actually like a bit of stubble - not near my face, obvs, but when it tickles the fancy...

oooh

What? It is friday!

Hahaha, Flav.

I might write on FB how nice it is to have him home, with a photo... see what his friends and siblings have to say

Could you adopt naval practice and tell him he has an exact month from the day he started growing it to get it into shape before you formally inspect it and decide whether he keeps it. Then say no. Or get bribemumsnet jury to say no overwhelmingly!

I am guilty of underwhelming "surprising" though. Promised DP a surprise after a crap week. He thought I'd bought lingerie or a toy.... I was low on funds and stretched to getting him a box of tunnocks tea cakes. He did actually love them though!

Well I don't want to start a precedent of being able to decide about the other's body hair. But he might start to notice that I'm avoiding snogging and cringe every time I look at him, sometime soon.

I'm intrigued by how many women are implying that cunnilingus is better with a beard. But really his hair is very coarse and scratchy. I remain unconvinced.

Yes it is better, when it's past its scratchy new growth phase. The scratchy phase is just that and has no right being anywhere near you.

How long does it take to get past scratchy to (ahem) silky?

When it's long enough that you can sort of rub it back and forwards with with your fingers ime, it needs to be flexible

Ew. I'd send him out to buy a razor and macarons. Hate beards.

No, send him out to buy a razor,macarons and a spaniel puppy.

It's the only thing to do really.

Oops, he asked what's so interesting on MN tonight.

I said, "your stubble making our son cry and my missing macarons".

I'm not mentioning puppies because I don't want another dog. Or beard-assisted-cunnilingus because frankly the only thing I want to do in bed tonight is catch up on my sleep... Nive to know there's so many MN experts on the optimal beard length though.

How often does your DH normally shave Somerville?
I have to put up with my DH having 5 day stubble on quite a regular basis. DD1 is forever telling him to go and shave because he's "hairy like Hagrid".

He normally does a close, wet shave every day. But he has this idea in his head that he looked better 5 years ago when he had a hipster beard. I've seen photos, and he didn't.

DH grew a full beard while we were on vacation in New Zealand once. He's very gifted in that department and this was waaaaaay before beards were hipster fashionable they way they are now.

I came back to the hotel from an outing he didn't want to go on (helicopter ride up to the top of Mt Cook, I still can't believe he missed it) only to find said beard (which I was not keen on) now sculpted into a full-on handlebar moustache (which I HATED). Just like the cop from Village People.

From there he shaved it off in stages - from Tom Selleck to David Niven and all the stages in between. I had to oooh and aaah at his hirsute prowess throughout.

Thankfully by the time he got back to the office home he looked normal again.

Wait. Was it the police man or the construction worker?

In what way does the beard / stubble look bad Somerville? I'm trying to imagine it, but (based on my DH) can't imagine 5 days growth to be a full on beard. Why does it look bad on him??
Anything more than 7 days growth on my DH looks ridiculous as he has a baby face (well, baby face for a 40yr old!!) And his stubble comes through in several colours including ginger (he has dark brown hair!!)

His stubble is so much darker than his hair and eye-brows. And it covers up his jaw line and chin which I'm rather fond of. I just don't think it suits him as much as being clean shaven.
I'm sure I'd get used to it if it became a long-term fixture in my life.

Plus I wanted a surprise surprise.

hearts so were all your NZL holiday photos ruined by the succession of different beards [shocked]

Hhhmmm dark stubble with light hair ..... I see where you're coming from!!

Did he not bring you home anything other than surprise facial hair?? How long was he gone for leaving you alone with baby??
I'd be suggesting at least one tasty treat per day away

LOVE a beard