LAST month I mentioned my decision to let the hairs sprout on my top lip and chin. This was for the worthy cause of “Movember.” I have however continued to keep the razor away from said areas, now in the name of “Decembeard”, a bowel cancer charity. It is possibly this will merge with “Janhairy”, I don’t know of any associated charity as I made that one up!

It has become an increasingly comfortable experience. Until late November, the spikiness was somewhat annoying, particularly for Mrs Moody, who claims to miss “passionate kisses” with me. (I am assuming she is not obtaining these elsewhere during this season of hirsutism!) What has intrigued me is the proportion of patients who have passed comment. The figures are approximately 25%. If I visited my solicitor, minister, MP or doctor, it would not occur to me to remark on his/her weight gain, scar, size of nose, gestation of pregnancy or facial hair (the latter being largely gender specific!) It would be an over-familiarity, unnecessary, potentially offensive and, at best, a distraction.

Comments have ranged from comparisons to Mr George Clooney (a star of the silver screen, I understand) to suggestions it ages me 10 years or more. One typically forthright lady, who hadn’t seemingly made eye contact, looked up and abruptly said “Lose the beard.” I resisted the temptation to counter that she might lose the weight, tattoos or the attitude. Health recommendations are usually best done kindly, subtlely and in a manner appreciated by the patient.

Silver is battling with brown on my chin and the war is over on the top. When I started here in the practice many years ago, my mother-in-law gave me Doc, a soft toy version of the amiable dwarf from Walt Disney’s Snow White. I used to console young patients by sitting this toy on the desk, highlighting his florid appearance, round glasses, big nose and white beard. It seems I have become that figure of fun. Tempus fugit.

Dr Ken B Moody Dr Moody wishes his readers and correspondents a healthy festive period.