There's also the adage that a programming language lives and dies with its creator's beard (or general voluminousness of their facial hair).

I thought that only referred to RM Stallman, no? Although this old-school hacker that I was thinking of did indeed have a fairly impressive beard, come to think of it.

No one calls those kind of programmers "hackers"

Absolutely, unless they're hopelessly delusional, but I feel in this topic we're straying from true hackers to professional programmers in general.

I have a feeling ones ability to grow a "chin-beard" may be correlated to ones "Hacking" ability, whether that means actually programming or general tech tinkering ability.

Dressing up for a performance is like dressing up for a presentation. Dressing up for rehearsal is like dressing up for work. As some of the commenters on that article noted, there's a difference between dressing up and looking decent. I wear quality clothing that's not ripped or disgusting. That's important. You shouldn't dress ratty, but that doesn't mean you should always need to "dress to impress". There are situations where dressing up is a good idea, and I don't think going into work is one of them.

That being said, I've definitely been in ensembles where what we decided to wear was "just whatever". This was more common in the new music ensembles.

I've never been to a new music concert where the performers didn't dress up, although it probably depends on the venue; I usually go to new music concerts at a concert hall, or eyedrum, which is a less formal place, but people still dress up there.

http://blogs.microsoft.co.il/blogs/tamir/archive/2008/04/28/computer-languages-and-facial-hair-take-two.aspx

While I may not be "professional" by most standards, I personally like to wear saggy shorts and tee shirt/polo.



Since when were they even called "programmers"?

Elfprince, thanks for sharing that beards article and giving me a much-needed laugh in the ER. While we're discussing hygiene and clothing and stuff, actually, any opinions on things like facial hair and hygiene and programming? Do we all agree that being clean and stuff is important to being a coder, even if suits are omitted? I know at least some of us that aren't interested in being clean-shaven for their jobs, but I personally feel like I'm being messy if I'm not clean-shaven when I go to work.

Being "clean and stuff" is important to everyone. If you're gross, stop being gross. As for being clean shaven, that's really just preference. I didn't start sporting a beard until about a year ago, but I keep it clean and kempt. It actually seems to suit me well, given the reponse I've gotten from it. I think it really just depends on the person, and the person's ability to grow a beard (compare Keanu Reeves and Zack Galifianakis).

All of the men in my sax quartet have beards.

Will_W, and Merth has a beard! Maybe besides programming language success, beards are also an indication of musical aptitude? Merth, indeed, definitely agreed on the cleanliness, and I'd be surprised if we find anyone here who disagrees.

Sadly, I have been forbade from cultivating my facial hair.

Heh, my female companions, perhaps? I used to be under just such a stricture, not that I needed it much; apparently kissing spiky-faced people is unpleasant.

"shark-face: a phenomenon in which ones face is pleasant to touch in one direction, but not the other"

I have seen an increase in female attention since growing mine. While it was still in the early stages this wasn't there, but since it's become a real beard it's helped.