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

I believe there is a town in British Columbia which is a haven for people with Tourettes. It's a debilitating condition, more than just a cultural predilection for using rude words or discussing sexual topics. For more info... www.mentalhealth.com (and click where it says 'Disorders'.

Tic disorders are, indeed, more prevalent in boys than girls.

OK...pedantic site: http://www.mentalhealth.com That should make the link work automatically.

With regard to the Japanese aversion to pubic hair, so far as I can remember, it's edited out because it's against the law to show it ... nothing to do with personal preference.

I have it from more than one source, that in general, the Japanese (and Koreans) possess more undergrowth than most of Brazil ... the fact that the rest of their bodies are practically hairless may have something to do with it. There's rumour too, that they go so far as wearing pubic wigs in public baths to increase their acreage ...

Edward. I, of course, realize wehat you just said. I didn't intend to diminsh or trivialise it in any way

There is a proper word for a pubic wig, which I've temporarily forgotten (Come to think of it, I think it's a firkin).

My understanding is that the Japanese are somewhat more sparsely haired than Eurpeans, although when I've seen naked Japanese ladies on TV this would not appear to be the case.

Just out of interest, I once remember reading that in terms of hair per square cm, humans are, in favct hairier than apes. It's just less noticeable because human hairs are shorter, finer and generally blonder than that of apes.

There was a good TV Drama a few weeks ago that had a good portrayal of Tourettes. Forgotten what it was called

I saw that as well. I think it is the same group of progs that contained the Mozart one.

A pubic wig is a 'merkin'. It was also the name given to a sort of bladder with a surface orifice, with hair surrounding. It was filled with warm water and used for male masturbatory purposes. Ick!

On the other hand...in strip shows, women used to have to wear a 'cache-sexe', which is basically an elastoplast covering for the vulva. Although it's a moot point whether, after she'd removed the elastoplast the first time (ouch!!) anyone would be able to tell the difference thereafter.

(How does the guy *know* all this stuff?!)

(Oh...and no censure intended, Big Al...I was just pointing out a site I had bookmarked)

I'm still of the belief that the fashion for female pubic shaving is one which has been foisted upon us and we are now all supposed to like but secretly don't. See also reality TV, fast food, etc. etc. Strike a blow against global capitalism! Throw away those Bics!

I'm still not 100% convinced over my memory of a firkin being the correct term for a pubic wig - it sounds too 'onomatological'. However, it's a word very like that ('Munchkin' also springs to mind, but that has somewhat different inferences).

as to my shaving prefences
my nether regions i dont bother, 2 reasons, waxing hurts, and when you shave it itches when it vgrows back
my arms and my legs i try to do every week but i do it more when they are gonna be on show, i do it because ive always been brought up to belive it looks better but personally, i wish i didnt have to im lazy and cant be bothered most of the time

Actually I find underarm shrubberies a little bit yuck myself, so its not just a fashion. Whether it'd be the same if it was just trimmed short or something je ne sais pas. As for the rest, whatever. Well, other than I don't think I'd go for a lady with a hairy face.

I think what we find yuk or otherwise depends a lot on social norms!

I have to admit having a nasty shock the first time I got initmate with a girl.

'what you've shaved down there? what if you'd slipped'

But then I don't think I even expected shaved armpits, my Mums half french y'see and certainly didn't shave armpits.

I have no idea about other parts, we weren't the sort of family that got changed in front of each other..!

I couldn't stand the suspense anbd had to go and 'Google' it. The technical term for a pubic wig is a merkin.

Personally I can't see any point in shaving it off and then replacing it with a wig!

http://homepage.mac.com/nealemvf/iblog/C821734565/E1400675358/

Edward. Just noticed your post 68. Can't understand how I missed it.

I think it's pretty safe to say that our personal preferences, whatever they may be, are probably not as subjective as we like to think of them, and in most cases strongly influenced by social and cultural norms.

I had a go at shaving my legs for the first time at the age of about 16. That's a move I've regretted ever since, because it instantly changed those hairs from being next to invisible, short, thin, blonde downy stuff to long, coarse black stuff. After that, I told myself to stop being ashamed of my body and left the hair there for about 15 years before I finally admitted to myself that I couldn't stand having hairly legs and started shaving again. Which I still do, whenever they are going to be on display, ie most of the summer and whenever else I need to look good being dressed up - or undressed...

As for the other bits, I regularly shave my armpits because it makes me feel less sweaty, and because I don't like having hairy armpits anyway. And the Other other bits, I never dared actually shaving, as I'm too worried about how much it will itch when it grows back out, but I often cut it very short. Feels more hygienic, and more... well... accessible, I guess.

Its a shame that Pubic Wigs aren't called Firkins, because theres a pub i know called 'The Feast and Firkin,' and that would of made a fantastic double entendre.

Regarding the earlier Dear Abbey reference, let's try to remember that the question wasn't just about underarm hair. The question was about underarm hair and the LACK OF DEODORANT. That combination is an olfactory nightmare. Then they make it worse by slathering on perfumes in a futile attempt to cover the scent. And apart from the social consequences, it also creates a bacterial breeding ground.

Regarding the nether regions, my wife and I gave it a try once. The result was quite nice, since it allowed more skin contact to the non-submerged portions. My wife was dazzled by the difference it made to the oral aspect. You can push aside hair all you want, but there are still bits that get stuck up your nose or get plastered against her sensitive bits. And you can put that hand that's moving hair to better use.

The growing-back phase was, quite understandably, unpleasant. But to keep the oral benefits the wife started keeping the lawn trimmed. It keeps things out of the way nicely and still adds the aesthetic appeal of a mature woman. A compromise that can truly be characterized as win-win.

are mature women better then?!