Body Hair

[goldenearring]

Should women shave?  Does it offend you when a woman lifts her arm to wave goodbye or hello, and a black patch of "fur" meets your eye?  Does it shock you, or what goes through your head?  What about legs?  Do you, at any time, find yourself becoming judgmental about body hair?  LOL

[superninjaadmin]

No it doesn't bother me.  I'm in America where the culture is to shave arm pits and legs, but in other cultures it's acceptable to let it be.   That's perfectly fine with me.  I try to respect everyone's culture.  It's important.  I've been to Europe twice and loved it all!  Wonderful cultures and traditions.  Great histories.  The people are warm and welcoming and life-long friendships have been developed.  

I think different cultures and traditions are very interesting and are precious things that everyone must covet.  With the world growing closer through electronic means and quick, easy travel, we all need to learn to be more tolerant and respectful of eachother's lifestyles.  

In the big scheme of things, hair is a small thing to worry about.  :-)

[goldenearring]

You're right, ninja; it's a small thing to worry about.  I just recall a long time ago, probably the first time I saw any woman who didn't shave.  For the sake of peace, I'll forgo the nationality.  I only remember having this overwhelming desire to grab the Norelco and chase her down.  Her face was so beautiful, kind of like Audrey Hepburn, but then she had Uncle Harvey's armpit!  bwa ha ha ha

[tuffenuff]

I'm also an American and it's true that unshaved pits and legs on a woman are considered almost a mortal sin here. Several years ago, Julia Roberts was photographed at a premiere in a sleeveless dress. She was waving to the crowd and her arm was raised so that you could see her unshaved armpit. There were headlines like "Pitty Woman" in our tabloids.

What is the attitude in Europe and the UK these days towards women shaving or not? Many Americans used to think Europeans bizarre because of their "hairy" women, bad teeth and perceived perceived lack of personal hygiene. To this day you'll hear cheap jokes about the French needing emergency shipments of deodorant and the teeth of the British (i.e., Austin Powers). Don't take offense at this, those of you who aren't American. I'm just the messenger here.

I lived in Europe several years ago and found that the younger generation seemed to have adopted American practices. They watch our TV shows and movies and see fashion models and the actresses on shows like "Baywatch"  with waxed and shaved armpits, legs, and bikini lines. There were hair removal products on sale in Vienna so I figured somebody's buying this stuff. I do shave myself but I am a brunette and would look like Helena Bonham Carter in "Planet of the Apes" if I didn't. Blondes and redheads might be able to get away with not shaving as their body hair is lighter in color and less course.  I have a feeling that the influence of U.S. pop culture might have changed the old cliche about unshaven European women. True or not?

[spitfire78]

I have to admit that every time I shave I grumble to myself about it.  Why is it that it is acceptable for men to have body hair but not women?  Of course, I could just let it grow, but I'm not quite brave enough for that!!!!

[swhaley]

I think the UK is similar to the USA in its oullook on this but it is very different in mainland Europe.

Strategic Alliances Manager,
Deskdemon.com

[dragonladybug]

I've always had my own theory about who started the practice of wome shaving - some perverted pedophile!  Probably an emperor, sheikh or shah, so he was able to enforce his wishes by handing down a law or something.

In some historical books I've read (taken from old diaries and such) women in the East and Middle East were removing  body hair hundreds of years ago.  And at that time, these cultures were considered vastly more civilized than Europe.

DLB / Debra

[akara]

Another example of the enormous pressure on women to conform to the media perception of beauty - and I'm not saying men don't get pressure as well, because they do, and it seems to have increased over recent years (look at those razor adverts).

I started shaving my legs when I was 14 - the first time took me an hour and nearly a whole roll of toilet paper to wad up the nicks!  I really wish I hadn't started, because now it's a chore, and if i leave it a couple of days they itch like mad (like the itch on a guy's chin when he grows a beard, I suppose!).  Because my hair is dark I look more hairy - I've noticed fair people tend to look less hairy.

Shaving is where I draw the line; I am not prepared to suffer pain for the sake of vanity.  So my eyebrows go unplucked and my bikini line goes unwaxed - the mere thought of either treatment makes my eyes water!

As for the original question - if a woman decides not to shave, that's up to her.  Who is anyone else to pass judgement on it?

[goldenearring]

Good point, akara.  Thoughts of waxing the bikini line bring tears to my eyes.  Unfortunately, everyone judges everything about everyone, whether they realize it or not!  Some are better at keeping their personal feelings in check/perspective than others, though, even though I'm now convinced that there's someone to argue against every possible view on all issues, even hair.  Fortunately, the bikini line area is not under scrutiny in most interviews, although I would never underestimate its future potential as a highly controversial topic in the job arena and, eventually, in the world at large.  In the meantime, however, if bikini line hair were under scrutiny during interviews, methinks many of us would be in deep, deep doo doo!   LOL