Personally, I prefer guys who are comparatively hairless.
To me, the guys I know who walk about with stubble just look (at best) like they're lazy and couldn't be bothered to shave or (at worst) downright hobo-like.
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I'm really not wild on the wiry face-pube effect, or being sandpapered.... but that's because of the sensation of being touched, and not about how it looks. I have very soft skin though, and I assume that it bothers people with more leathery skin less than it bothers me.
Some of my guy friends confuse me, because they will write mopey FB posts about how they are unable to get girlfriends - but then walk about with an entire shrub sticking out of their faces, or constant hobo-stubble.
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offputting much !
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But all of that said, I think a lot of people can get quite into snuggling into a full-grown beard.
And, my understanding is that a lot of women find the stubble look stylish and attractive visually, even if they don't like how it feels against their skin.
I know what you mean by the feel. I have had some "kissing rashes" from guys with stuble/beards, so that can be annoying. To me it looks pretty good though.