My boss has been away in South East Asia for a few weeks, so I’ve taken advantage of the situation and grown a beard. I timed my run into his departure with a few days stubble and after almost three weeks I look like a homeless bum. From this brief experience I can confirm that the life of a dishevelled individual is a lonely one – employees at the supermarket make no attempt at small talk, volunteers in the street don’t ask for donations to their charity, and teenagers avoid any contact with your eyes. It’s been absolutely fantastic.