Movember is well under way and it’s been interesting following the progress of the various competitive moustache-growers about the place and the spot of controversy that erupted via (once again) the Trade Me message board.
It amazes me that people still haven’t managed to grasp the fact that internet message boards are viewed by all and sundry and that what they post there isn’t a private chat with friends.
Last week, a Trade Me member posted a tale of woe concerning her son and his participation in Movember. It seems his school had to ban her son from taking part in exams if he turned up unshaven because having the facial fluff contravened the school’s standards and appearance guidelines.
The tread was started and generated stacks of responses so it should come as no surprise to anyone that a news story on the topic appeared on Stuff. Well, apparently it came as a shock to the mother and all the other message board users, prompting even more debate on the board about whether or not journalists should be picking up stories from internet message boards.
One bright spark even posted a link to an image of a story from the Nelson Mail on Stuff with the message for any lurking reporters: “Hi, notice and report this!!!” Guess what Einstein? I think you’ll find that story had already been noticed. And reported.
The mother who started the whole story reckons she just wanted to have a bit of a private vent among friends but here’s the deal: if you post on a public message board, you’re offering up your opinions, life story or latest drama for all the world to share. If you don’t want any old Joe Bloggs having a crack at you, or your local newspaper picking up on it if it’s something interesting, then step away from the keyboard.
As for the school and its grooming rule, fair enough. Sure, the whole thing may be for charity but most schools and workplaces have required standards when it comes to the appearance of their pupils, staff and inmates. Rules are rules, if one pupil is allowed to breach that rule where is the line drawn?
My husband didn’t take part in the Movember event because the rules (yes, there we go following rules again) state that entrants must be clean-shaven on October 31 and shave everything but their moustache on a daily basis during the event. Unfortunately, the bloke I married isn’t big on regular facial landscaping so he’s just been his usual hairy self for the month of November.
- For those of you who don’t know, Movember is an annual month-long charity event involving the growing of moustaches during November to raise awareness about men’s health issues, such as prostate cancer. It started in New Zealand and Australia and has now spread to Canada, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States. There’s more information and all the official rules at the official website.