Two key members of President Laura Chinchilla‘s cabinet in Costa Rica are notable not only for their high-profile posts but also for their choice of hair grooming and styling. The hairstyles of Minister Manuel Obregon (Culture and Youth) and of Minister Leonardo Garnier (Public Education) have been subject of scrutiny the moment they were appointed to their current posts.

What is remarkable about these two men is that although their grooming standards are similar, the respective public reception thereof is markedly different. Both men opted to let their abundant silver-to-white hair grow to lion-like proportions. Both men chose a carefully groomed beard to go along. One man’s hair and performance as Minister has been lauded while the other has been sharply criticized. Both men dominate social media headlines in Costa Rica for their hair and their work as high-ranking public officials.

Let’s take a look at this two hairstyles and the men who sport them, as well as their function as Ministers and public opinion thereof:

Manuel Obregon, Minister of Culture and Youth Affairs

Born into a family of politicians, Mr. Obregon chose a different path at the beginning. He began playing the piano at the age of 7, and he developed mastery of the regal instrument in Europe. While becoming a musical master, Mr. Obregon followed in his family’s footsteps to a certain extent. He became involved in politics only as a vehicle for the cultural advancement of Costa Rica.

Maestro Obregon has been recognized for his musical contributions in jazz and other genres numerous times. In the year 2000, he received an award by critics in New Orleans -the birthplace of jazz- for delivering the best live performance of the year. Mayor Marc Morial gave him the keys to the city and named him Honorary International Citizen of New Orleans.

As Minister, Mr. Obregon’s performance has been well-received by Ticos. His mane of hair and beard was iconic and praised by many Ticas who saw it as the perfect complement to a life spent representing Costa Rica in the world’s cultural stage. For this reason, Mr. Obregon shocked his fans when he sat down on the barber’s chair and chopped off his long hair and beard. Ticos immediately took to social media to express their opinion on the new look. The opinions have been mixed, but the consensus is that as long as the Hebrew biblical legend of Samson does not befall the Minister’s performance he can get a Mohawk if he so wishes.

Leonardo Garnier, Minister of Public Education

Mr. Garnier’s Ministerial performance and hairstyle have also been the subject of public opinion in Costa Rica. Just like Manuel Obregon, Mr. Garnier’s long gray hair and beard have been linked to his function as a public official, although in his case the opinion has been negatively charged.

The greatest difference between the two ministers lies in Mr. Garnier’s call for grooming standards for boys in our public schools. Like many Tico parents, he believes that male students should go to school sporting short, well-groomed hair. The same goes for prepubescent facial hair.

Herein lies the problem that Ticos see with Mr. Garnier’s grooming advice for their children. They think he is not leading by example. The social media discourse on this matter has leaned towards comments by parents in Costa Rica that essentially boil down to: “My kid will cut his hair when you do.”

Mr. Garnier’s appointment to lead the Ministry of Public Education, an institution that Ticos consider one of the most vital in Costa Rica, was initially welcomed. Many Ticas  thought that his long flowing hair and beard made him a “Silver Fox” (like George Clooney or Sean Connery), and even gave him a certain intellectual flair. That is no longer the case; on top of his ill-advised recommendation on student grooming, Mr. Garnier is facing allegations of improper handling of government funds by granting a contract to consulting firm Procesos, Investigacion y Asesoria.

Regular readers of The Costa Rica Star will remember Procesos as the consulting firm associated with former Minister of the Treasury Fernando Herrero, whose resignation was tendered in the wake of a tax and financial scandal.

Source: Diario Extra