Comments on: To Shave or Not to Shave? (The Legs)

By: fifthdecade

fifthdecade — Sat, 10 May 2008 04:05:11 +0000

As a European male I can say that hairy armpits just aren’t an issue over here (only perhaps in the UK), don’t increase BO (don’t know where that myth came from) and for most women, aren’t even that hairy. Women just aren’t as hairy as men, and even if they have some showing, it isn’t anything other than a cultural issue whether it is acceptable or not.

My feeling is it’s all to do with control. Let’s face it, for those of you who do shave, do you dread some man catching you on a day when you have not and telling you how dirty and disgusting you look? See, that fear controls your focus and keeps it off things the man is doing wrong. even worse perhaps is having some other woman tell you that… and that comes down to hierarchy in the breeding pool.

As for me, do I shave? Not even my chin.

By: Forgetfulone

Forgetfulone — Thu, 08 May 2008 01:41:12 +0000

I just don’t shave my legs when I am feeling lazy. Luckily, my hair is light colored and soft!

By: imaginary binky

imaginary binky — Thu, 01 May 2008 20:37:40 +0000

I don’t think I’ve really thought about why I shave. I think I do it now so that I don’t scratch Phil in bed. I don’t like the way unshaven legs feel in jeans. I guess I’m just a part of the consumer machine. Boo.

By: Jientje

Jientje — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 11:46:09 +0000

I prefer waxing them, the hair does not come back after a couple of years, whereas if you shave them you get cactus needles instead!

By: Christine

Christine — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 01:16:53 +0000

I was raised to think that it was not lady like to be have hairy pits and legs. Maybe the invention of silk stockings caused women to start shaving their legs. Shaving under the arms also helps reduce the possibility of B.O. Oh…I think the post was about legs. Well you are going to get my thoughts about arm pits too. Haha!

I know some religious groups that think shaving is evil…as well as dying hair…perming hair…cutting hair and wearing trousers.

By: Cricket

Cricket — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 23:58:33 +0000

What an interesting post! My personal opinion is the practice of shaving our legs was most likely started by the “tarts” of our American society and then a marketing agent for razors saw the value in promoting to women they could be sexier and therefore more appealing to their menfolk . . .and the rest is history and a very aggravating task.

By: maryt/theteach

maryt/theteach — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 15:38:48 +0000

Well, summer’s coming on and women of the US certainly feel as if they have to shave. I think it’s custom. It’s like bathing everyday… I don’t think it has anything to do with self-esteem.

By: Zazzy

Zazzy — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 01:10:31 +0000

Hey, cool. I like your links. I did some searching after reading yours and I haven’t found a definitive answer.

The Straight Dope agrees with the marketing theory. I don’t know that I do – perhaps the increase in shaving was due to marketing but it’s amazing how many of these little habits actually stem from religious teachings. I hope someone finds some good information.

This comment, in the snopes article you linked, is what bothers me about the issue and why I say it is a women’s issue.

“She regarded women who didn’t shave as hippies, blue stockings or continental tarts. She also firmly believed that middle aged women who didn’t shave had given up the ghost on being attractive and should be ashamed of themselves.”

If it’s just a personal choice, then there shouldn’t be this kind of extreme reaction.