Every weekday, I am tasked with writing a pair of opinion pieces for WBSM.com that usually find their way to our social media pages on platforms such as Facebook. If you download our free WBSM app, those pieces come directly to your phone without you having to hunt around for them. It really is a wonderful thing, you know.

Well, today I present an opinion piece in which I turn the tables. Instead of me stating my well-thought-out and measured opinion, I am seeking yours. For real! I want to know what you think about something that is really rather personal to me. Should I keep my newly-grown beard or get rid of it?

Now, spare me the snarky remarks about how the beard hides my perfect radio face because I've heard all that before. This well-worn face has made more than a few trains take a dirt road over the years, but hey, it's what I've got to work with it.

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I've never been much for facial hair. I had a mustache for a very short time when I was in my 20s. But I was a smoker back then, and the thing always tended to smell like a dirty ashtray. I got rid of it.

WBSM's Barry Richard
Barry Richard/Townsquare Media
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This thing came about as a challenge from my son, who has a beard of his own. He challenged me to go without shaving during my recent vacation.

It has been more than three weeks since I last shaved, and I am honestly not sure whether I want to keep going or eradicate the thing. Some have said it makes me look more intelligent. Ahem. Others (my wife) say it makes me look older. At 63, I don't need to look any older.

So, I come to you with hat in hand and humbly seek your wise counsel. Should I keep the beard or shave it off?

Barry Richard is the host of The Barry Richard Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. Contact him at barry@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @BarryJRichard58. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.

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