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Article: Facial hair has said a lot about a man
- Article from:
- Tribune-Review/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
- Article date:
- October 26, 2008
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2008 Tribune-Review/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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Those who consider facial hair a mere adornment should consider
two of the most famous mustaches of the 20th century.
"Adolph Hitler and Charlie Chaplin ... had the same mustache,"
says Dan Santoro, assistant sociology professor at the University of
Pittsburgh at Johnstown. "But when we see that mustache, what do we
think of? Do we think of Charlie Chaplin or do we think of Adolph
Hitler?"
Throughout history, facial hair has denoted class, caste and
allegiance to a particular religion or group.
"A status symbol is an outward marker of a person's position in
society," Santoro says. "For example, a Rolls Royce is a status
symbol of upper-class life. A wedding ring is a symbol of marital ...