Get a Handle(bar) on Movember: Grow a Moustache, Save a Life

What is Movember?

Movember is an annual month-long international initiative wherein participants grow and maintain a moustache for the duration of November in order to raise awareness and money for prostate and testicular cancer charities. It was started in Australia in 2004 and has since grown to become a global event. The Movember MO is to “change the face of men’s health.”

What kind of moustache should I grow?

Pencil, Mexican, handlebar, toothbrush, chevron, Dali, English, Fu-Manchu … these are just a few of the options. There are variants in color, thickness and length. You could even opt for alternative designs on the left and the right. If you’re endowed with the requisite level of testosterone, the options are (almost) limitless. Of course, not everyone is bestowed with the ability to grow facial hair any more substantial than vellus. You have several options:

Take a dark-colored (water-based) marker and fashion one of the smaller moustache styles. Don’t plump for anything more substantial than an English or a Dali lest you run the risk of being found out. The only thing more embarrassing than having to draw on your face to assume a moustache is everyone knowing you’ve done so.

Buy – or create – your own cookie duster. Face merkins are widely available. Chest hair is a suitable substitute for facial hair, having a similar thickness and level of curl. Though if you can’t grow your own facial hair, it’s unlikely you can grow your own chest hair. In this eventuality, ask a hirsute friend to lend you some. Ensure said friend’s chest hair is close to your coloring.

Cut out one of our examples pictured in the magazine (pick up a copy around town or print out the page from the online issue here). Note: it will quite quickly become obvious that you are walking around with a piece of paper attached to your lip. Be prepared for the cruel taunts of man. Only for the rhino-skinned.

Finally, there are the inbetweeners, like me. A stiff breeze could blow a fortnight’s growth from my face, and my flavor saver is more Hercule Poirot than it is Magnum, P.I. The only solace we can drawfrom our affliction is that it’s good enough. We look silly, no doubt, but our sub-par face furniture is still enough for us to reap the benefits of having taken part in the initiative.

What are the benefits?

We asked a selection of the city’s most potentially flocculent barkeeps if they would lend their support to our own campaign to raise awareness and hopefully some funds for the charities. They each agreed, not only to grow a moustache but also to shower “Mo Bros” with drinks discounts throughout the month of November.

If you’d like to donate, visit www.movember.com/ex/donate for more details. If you’d like to take your support even further by growing your own snot mop throughout the month of November, you’ll be rewarded with great discounts at the following bars:

• Paddy O’ Shea’s
• Black Sun Bar
• Great Leap Brewing
• The Green Cap Bar
• Serk
• Brussels
• Mao Mao Chong
• Beer Mania
• Plan B
• The Brick

For more information on the rewards available at individual establishments, keep an eye out on our blog. We’ll also have updates on Movember-themed events, including a celebratory bash on Nov 30.

Click here to see the November issue of the Beijinger in full.