h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

When I was a teenager I thought Patti Smith on the cover of the LP "Easter" looked really sexy but a lot of my friends said shes got hairy armpits
Why are so many people especially men bothered by body hair

I dated, fell in love with a woman with a condition which led her to have low oestrogen levels, a side effect of this was a little more hair than you'd expect, in blokeish places too. Visibly, if she didn't keep it under control...but you know what, I didn't care because I loved her

Ok, so you have to pick a bit out of yer teeth now and again but it's the person, right?

but even moderate body hair in areas where its natural is seen as a turnoff by many men

Ok, it was I admit to go out with a lass who had to shave facially every so often but I was already under her spell by that point

It is seen as a turn off, particularly in the English speaking world, personally I don't mind a bit if it's kept under control, on the whole

I went out with a girl of Bangladeshi ancestry who was probably the prettiest girl I went out with but she had like sideburns and a slight moustache.
As you say a little especially at first but not to me at least important

On men, a turn on. I love hairy chests. My boyfriend has one and was always very embarrassed about it until I told him (and showed him) how much I loved it. Now, I don't think he is so concerned...

Shy.

a friend was once being pestered by a man she didn't fancy
he had a very hairy chest so in an attempt to let him down gently she said she didn't like hairy men
next day he turned up with all his chest hair shaved off

I think the idea that hair on women (eg underarms, legs) is ugly or a turnoff is for the most part socialised. Afterall aren't we evolved to be this way? Hairless women as beautiful is a cultural value, but we're not hardwired to feel that way (I mean as a species, obviously there will be variation amongst individuals).

I don't shave anywhere. I love how my body is and how it feels. I'm more of a kinesthetic person anyway (soft silky underarms vs stubble and rash? No choice really ). It's also normal amongst certain circles I move in, so visually it's more normal for me than alot of people (in NZ) I guess.

There are definitely men and women who have are attracted to women in their natural state


It'd be really nice if the culture got over whatever problem it has with women who don't shave, then women could do what they wanted (shave or not or a combination).

pretty much what I'd say if I thought that coherently

oh good. I do have my moments of clarity occasionally

There was a Brittish documentary on the tele here a few months ago about women who didn't shave. Or it was meant to be about that. Most of the programme was listening to men and women who didn't like women who didn't shave, and then the rest was about this american man who had a thing for hairy women and went to Italy to find his soulmate. He took his somewhat large nonshaving ex girlfriend with him .

With media coverage like this, it's no wonder women have such a negative view of their bodies. I spent most of the last half wondering why the producers didn't go and visit the cultures and subcultures where it's normal not to shave. I'd be very interested to know what the reasons were (ignorance, self interest, marginalisation?)



Actually they did interview some women that had more hair than is usual eg lots of facial hair, which was very interesting. One woman talked about what her life had been like since she stopped shaving her face.

There were _no_ accounts from women who had 'normal' body hair and were quite happy about it.

I think it should be a personal choice.. but personally I don't like it and have always shaved it off..and prolly still would if it became the norm not to. I'm not overkeen on hairy lads either.

Hi,
I would like to say that I personally find a woman with very hairy pubes a great turn on. However, I am not so keen on facial hair. Is that a bit contradictory?

Well I am a very hairy bloke (but no beard - makes me look too old *Lol*) and I must admit don't mind hair on women (except as bb says on the face) and I hate stubble. Nothing worse then running your hand down a person and feeling like your rubbing a cheese grater. Hence why I will never shave anywhere except my face for anyone.

What an interesting thread! As a girl, I find all the fuss about shaving a bit silly. Do whatever feels best for you, be you male or female.

My other half doesn't mind if I shave my legs or underarms or bikini area or not, so I only do it when the stubble annoys me or I'm going to wear something which is going to reveal my underarms or legs.

<> Hurrah! Hairy men are *so* gorgeous. A hairy chest is wonderful to look at, and one reason I was attracted to my current other half originally. One of my ex's shaved all over, even down *there*, which I found odd and somewhat a turn-off.

What about head hair? In the West we cant seem to accept bald women but they have to keep it plucked, shaved, waxed or otherwise scarred off elsewhere on the body

I have to admit stubble is the worst thing you can have, soft and smooth or luxuriant and long is much preferable.

one love

i dont like very hairy men!!

that is to say, i dont like bodily hairy men.
i love a man with a beard cos i can play with it. i dont like moustaches on their own.

my partner is very hairy. so hairy in fact, he has a mane along his spine. its a right turn off.
in the days when i was 'young and madly in love', it didnt seem to matter as you accept everything about the man.
but after many years of having to do a daily sweep of the bathroom and bed linen, i find it disgusting.
ive gone off him as well

as for hairy women... naaaaaa. not nice.
i shave as and when needed, but hate it when its all stubbly.
the stubbly bits stick through your clothes and its painful to sit or walk.


h

well I am a very hairy man - I think the palms, face and feet are the only hairless parts of me. Must admit I do like my hair though it does mean I will never have a tattoo *lol*

A maan along his spine? Ewwwww I take it you never convinced him to shave it off then!
I can live with chest hair n whatnot, but an Ex of mine had a bum like a brillo pad and that was just horrible

Another ex of mine had a virtually hairless chest, and not even much facial hair, but from the waist down it was like he was wearing hairy trousers. That didn't bother me too much, to be honest.

I don't mind back hair too much, as long as it's not as hairy as the chest. My boyfriend has told me that apparently the small of my own back is a bit hairy, so I'm in no position to complain

I read somewhere that back in the 'olden days' (not sure when exactly) it was only prostitutes who shaved their underarms, legs and pubic hair. It was deemed 'unseemly' for a 'lady' to shave.

I say, who cares? I tend to only shave underarms and legs in summer, 'down there' if and when I feel like it. I don't think body hair on a woman is unattractive, per se. Though once I did see a woman with what can only be called 'gorilla legs' (and wearing a short skirt) and this did look quite bizarre to me, though it was quite an extreme case of extra body hair.

As for hairy men - hairy chests are nice and cuddly. Hairy backs are, um, not. (imho) Have never come across a 'brillo pad bottom' so cannot comment from personal experience but this doesn't sound too appealing. And I have never ever ever ever seen a man sporting only a moustache who didn't look like he would be much better looking with either a beard too or else clean-shaven.

az