Anybody who knows me also knows that I have ridiculously thick and
fast growing facial hair. I've kept it a manageable goatee for most of
my life but every November I participate in Movember events. This year
I tried a different style of facial hair known as either "The Mexican"
or "Fu Manchu".

http://lockerz.com/s/155222904

My first mention of this was online via Twitter and the response was
mild and supportive. And that ended the positive reception. In the few
days since I've lost count of how many "friends" and professionals
have commented that I look "Mexican" and I should get rid of it. More
than once I was told it's "unprofessional" and, again, "it looks
Mexican"..

So I decided to ask somebody I trust from a Fortune 100 company if
this facial hair would really be a deciding factor for a position. An
excerpt of the conversation quoted to the best of my memory a few
hours later:

Him: "Yeah, of course, it looks low-class and hoodlum."

Me: "Are you talking customer-facing or just generally?"

Him: "It doesn't matter, it wouldn't go over well with
upper-management. I just wouldn't hire the person."

Me: "Even me?"

Him: "*pause* Well, I guess not, I know you though. That's not a good
comparison."

I'm honestly more than a bit taken aback. I get dressing
professionally and being clean. I understand pretty people do better.
If this happens to a professional man for facial hair that wasn't, in
my opinion, unusual.. then what the heck do women go through?!
*boggles* -Ali