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Grooming: Taking Care of Down Thereposted by alexism on Feb. 26, '08 at 12:32 PM |
posted by alexism on Feb. 26, '08 at 12:32 PM
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Let's talk about pubic hair. A column question came in recently regarding the standard and possible double standard of grooming, and it got me wondering about a few things: With the popularity of Brazilian waxes--for both men and women--does it seem like pubic hair is going, going gone? And if women are bringing less and less to the box lunch table, are guys following suit and lopping off their curly locks? Is there a level of grooming that you expect from a partner? A bare minimum, as it were? |
posted by CityGal on Feb. 26, '08 at 1:39 PM
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I don't get the hairless trend at all. In regard to pubic hair, it protects you from chafing and it traps pheremones, making the sexual experience far more rich and exciting. I think some judicious shaving and trimming make the area more aesthetically pleasing, but being entirely bald just makes you look pre-pubescent. And yes, men are lopping it off, too. I don't know how many conversations I've had with my more metrosexual friends who actually think pubic hair is gross. For everyone. |
posted by Cirkustanz on Feb. 26, '08 at 2:08 PM
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I don't think guys talk about their own grooming with other guys, but I think the common point we are all likely to agree upon is that no woman has ever said "I won't go down on you because you groomed yourself too well". While going bald is not necessary, I'm sure most men would agree with me that it can be incredibly sexy. But being closely trimmed can be as well. Just follow the same rule men do, and don't give a man any reason to object to having a seat at that table. To answer your question, most women spend a lot of time and effort to keep their face looking pretty, a little time and effort all around is all most of us really expect. |
posted by thewalk on Feb. 26, '08 at 2:12 PM
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I expect a fair amount of maintenance from a partner...the days of au naturale are over, in my opinion. I welcome baldness, but it's not essential. As for the fellas, I'd say trimming is a must, but stay away from the boys. It's in your best interest...and hers. |
posted by CityGal on Feb. 26, '08 at 2:28 PM
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The days of au naturale are over? Extreme shaving, like thongs (whether that's a flip-flop or a pair of panties to you), bell-bottoms and faux hawks, are just a trend of fashion, nothing more. People used to shave their stuff when they had pubic lice and then don a merkin, or pubic wig, to attempt to hide that fact. In ten years, the Brazilian will similarly laughable. |
posted by jenna2759 on Feb. 26, '08 at 2:40 PM
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Personally, if I ever came across a man with a Brazilian, I would put on my clothes, leave, and never return his phone calls. Ok, maybe not seriously, but it would skeeve me out. Going hairless can be unhealthy for women who are prone to bladder infections. And men need to be understanding about that, no matter what their preferences might be. I second CityGal on the "being entirely bald just makes you look pre-pubescent." It always makes me wonder if the guy I'm dating is a pedophile if that's how he prefers it... |
posted by kimi08 on Feb. 26, '08 at 2:41 PM
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I'm not so sure I think it's a trend. I'm not a history expert, but I don't think women regularly shaved their legs or armpits. I wonder when women started doing that if someone thought it was a fad. Sure it's visible to the public where pubic hair is more personal, but I just think its something that will last. Personally I like it :) No need to shave, but dang, when it's all hairy down there don't expect many prolonged expeditions in to the jungle. |
posted by jenna2759 on Feb. 26, '08 at 2:45 PM
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Leg-shaving has been going on for centuries, but it only became common practice during the Depression when women couldn't afford silk stockings anymore. So they shaved to have a similar aesthetic. |
posted by theophania03 on Feb. 26, '08 at 2:47 PM
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most men are too lazy to trim, ive noticed :/ double standard if you ask me. |
posted by motsch on Feb. 26, '08 at 3:02 PM
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There should be some basic maintenance at the very minimum. Bald is nice, but not necessary by any means. And lets face it, nobody wants a mouthful of hair after performing certain acts....so why wouldn't you clean things up a bit? And I agree...I'm a man, and our only excuse is laziness! |
posted by CityGal on Feb. 26, '08 at 3:06 PM
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It's not just bladder infections; shaving can cause yeast infections and any other number of infection, no matter how carefully the procedure is executed (that goes for waxing too). Women (and men, to a lesser degree) are prone to this, and this goes for introducing scent or sugar into the area as well. I think, men, you'd be surprised how much pain and trouble shaving, lubes, scented laundry detergent and fabric softener cause women because of trends in what is considered attractive in the pubic area. Personally, I'd never date a man who expected me to shave in any extreme manner, and I'd be pretty grossed out by any man that did the same. Lack of body hair on a man is simply not masculine, and definitely not sexy. |
posted by kimi08 on Feb. 26, '08 at 3:30 PM
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No I agree, Brazilian is a little on the extreme side and I'm aware of how painful it can be. I'd never expect that of a woman, but if she wants to thats cool with me...but let's get quantitative. I'd say 1/2" or more is on the hairy side. |
posted by Cirkustanz on Feb. 26, '08 at 4:28 PM
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Let me point out something else that many of you have clearly not considered. Most women shave their armpits. I've yet to hear of anyone who enjoyed kissing someones armpit. Ask yourself ladies, if your man hops right out of the shower and asks you to kiss his armpits for a good amount of time, what are you going to say? It's not about being bald, some deep-rooted psychological ploy to fool ourselves into thinking you are younger than what you are, and there is no risk of us running off with your niece, the fact is nobody likes hair in their face! |
posted by CityGal on Feb. 26, '08 at 4:56 PM
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ha. I actually quite love armpits and if I like you in the lusty way, I probably have my nose in your armpit a fair share of the time (mmm, pheromones). But, that's neither here nor there and I realise I'm an anomaly. But...how does an armpit translate to the sexual pleasure center that the genitals are? As far as I know, the armpit is low on the totem pole of erogenous zones, so sticking one's face in it isn't going to accomplish much. And, contrary to your belief, a great deal of men enjoy pubic hair, and I just consider the fur on a man a (wonderful) part of giving oral sex, licking nipples, kissing a belly, etc. I know I'm not alone there, either. |
posted by wr3n on Feb. 26, '08 at 5:44 PM
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I've never been with a guy who did any trimming or shaving in the nether regions. To be blunt it doesn't get in the way of anything I'm after so I don't care. But it would be nice if guys would shave their arm pits. |
posted by theophania03 on Feb. 26, '08 at 5:47 PM
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i prefer when a guy just lightly trims his pubes. im not talking super bristly sharp...just trimmed. the crazy, afroed-out, bush effect = so not sexy. |
posted by wr3n on Feb. 26, '08 at 5:53 PM
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Also, to be completely honest, the older a woman gets, the patch spreads. Really. It's like men and their unruly eyebrows, ear hair, and nose hair. So if a gal doesn't at least reign it back in from the sides, they risk looking like a 70s porn swinger. |
posted by simon_peter on Feb. 26, '08 at 6:07 PM
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Anyway, we know that major trimming, landing strips and/or Brazilians are practically the norm, not the exception. I guess I'd like to hear from women on why you're preferring that these days. (I won't accept "caving in to the patriarchy" as a serious answer.) A male Brazilian just seems ridiculous (unless I were much younger, gay and/or a porn actor), but having encountered this trend among women, it seems only fair to reciprocate a little. I do think less hair can be more fun for both genders. So if you want more fun, play along. A little neatness is not too much to ask a guy for. I don't agree that baldness makes you look prepubescent (and thus encourages pedophilia), unless you already looked prepubescent to begin with. That's like saying a bald-headed guy looks like an infant. There are other visual cues to ensure you're dealing with an adult. |
posted by CityGal on Feb. 26, '08 at 6:16 PM
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I did date a fellow a couple of years ago for about two months that shaved everything cuz he was a bicyclist (and a pretty adventurous one at that, having broken just about every bone in his body after numerous crashes). We never got to the crotch exploration point in our relationship, and I'm kind of glad for that. I was already pouty that he had no body hair elsewhere... And I just want to make it clear; I'm not going against maintenance or trimming for either sex, I just don't understand why bald or Brazilian (which is essentially bald) is so popular when you're depriving you and your lover of yummy pheromones and risking your health... Sure, the silky smooth texture on a lady is nice, but it becomes icky pokey stubble in no time! |
posted by wr3n on Feb. 26, '08 at 6:37 PM
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@ simon_peter - I prefer it because it enhances pleasure. @CityGal - one person's yummy pheromone trapper is another's trapper of bacteria that leads to a not so fresh feeling. There's health benefits on both sides of the equation. As with so many things, it's a preference and everyone's results vary. |
posted by CityGal on Feb. 26, '08 at 6:50 PM
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Showering tends to eradicate those not so fresh things quite nicely. |
posted by Cirkustanz on Feb. 26, '08 at 7:16 PM
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@ citygal There are no pheromones in hair. It is hair, and that's it. There is also no real health risk associated with shaving your body. I find that pretty laughable myself. Here is the thing. It is clear to me that your only grievance is with some mens expectation that a woman be shaved bald. I am sure that everyone would agree that there are not very men out there who view this as a requirement. And I am not suggesting that you think every woman should be completely ungroomed. Both examples are the extreme. However, stubble is not so much of a bad thing. You make it sound like it's sandpaper, like there is some length requirement in order for you to be comfortable. In my clearly amateur opinion, I'm sure that the majority of women would disagree with you on that point. I'm also sure that most women don't maintain a brazilian 365 days a year. I can't even bring myself to shave my face every single day. @ wr3n I have noticed a lot of guys do shave their armpits. Usually they are athletes of some variety, bodybuilders, wrestlers, etc. This is probably because the more armpit hair you have, the more you are going to smell when you are sweating. I would never shave them completely, but I have to agree with you that a lot of men really should pay a little attention to the growth under there. Personally I just take a pair of clippers every once in a while and keep it present, but keep it very subtle. Being blonde makes this easy to do. I'm glad I'm not hairy though. Looking like Robin Williams would really not be a very good thing. |
posted by CityGal on Feb. 26, '08 at 7:27 PM
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I was instructed, by three different doctors and nurse practioners at different facilities, to stop shaving because it was only adding to the already profound health issues I was having three years ago, which included, but were not limited to, bacterial and yeast infections that were not responding to treatment. My kidneys were also bleeding, and no one could figure out why; a long ordeal short, I was very, very sick. I stopped shaving, using scented laundry detergent and other scented items that were coming into contact with that region, and in combination with other things, slowly returned to a manageable level of health. I continue to trim and maintain the area, but if I attempt to shave (and I have, a few times), my symptoms will immediately begin to return. I know that my case is extreme, but it is absolutely NOT uncommon. This is what I mean when I say that male expectation and trends are causing health issues that you are absolutely not aware of because it's a taboo subject and no woman wants to be considered disgusting because they, god forbid, have a fair amount of pubic hair. |
posted by CityGal on Feb. 26, '08 at 7:29 PM
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And as for pheromones, I never said anything about it being in hair. It's the happy trap conduit for these natural hormones that aid in physical attraction, and you lose a lot of that by not having hair to trap them in. |
posted by alexism on Feb. 26, '08 at 7:46 PM
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Wow, you guys were busy while I was gone! Yes, the hair on the pubic mound and the armpits has a sole purpose, and that's to trap all the sexy smells we produce in those areas so other people will want to have sex with us. And yes, the hair on the vulva has the task of preventing irritants from entering the vagina and causing big problems. The human body is a marvelous machine. I'm pretty sure that, like jenna, I'd run the other way if I discovered hairless genitals on a man. Shaved chests are equally repulsive to me. Honestly, I don't even like bald heads. |
posted by Cirkustanz on Feb. 26, '08 at 7:58 PM
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I'd argue that hair on the vulva HAD the task of preventing irritatants from entering. I'm quite certain that since we started wearing clothes, any evolutionary benefit in this regard from having pubic hair has been more or less rendered void. It is not plausible to me that men would be impacted in this regard with or without pubic hair, and we have it as well. Alas, I don't think that would ever make it to a Mythbuster's episode. |
posted by CityGal on Feb. 26, '08 at 8:04 PM
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HAD? With all the artificial things in our environment and that only increasing by the day? Man-made chemicals are no friend to the vagina, sir. No friend at all. |
posted by Cirkustanz on Feb. 26, '08 at 8:09 PM
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How exactly are man made chemicals from the environment entering a vagina without their consent? How does having pubic hair in the context that Alexis is talking about, from an evolutionary standpoint, ie: before the invention of something as rudimentary as scissors, or CLOTHES, have anything to do with preventing foreign matter now? It does not. |
posted by CityGal on Feb. 26, '08 at 8:27 PM
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I am wholly confused, not to mention frustrated and a little peeved, by your apparent lack of understanding of absorption here. The vagina is extremely porous; not just the hole the penis goes in, the entirety of the female genitalia. When you shave, you are causing very tiny tears in the skin which can then be entered into by any number of irritants, like bacteria, or chemicals, which can cause or exacerbate existing health issues. Hair prevents chafing, which also causes tiny tears in the skin that these things can enter into. wow. |
posted by alexism on Feb. 26, '08 at 8:31 PM
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To add: man-made fabrics, fabric dyes, fabric preservatives, laundry detergent, fabric softener, toilet paper, toxic tampons, pads and other menstrual products, not to mention whatever lurks on those foreign (or not-so-foreign) objects which regularly come into contact with the vagina. It's a very sensitive organ that needs to be protected by various measures. |
posted by kdgrrl5 on Feb. 26, '08 at 8:48 PM
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This was all one day?! You guys really had a lot to say on this. Funny. Trim is in. |
posted by kimi08 on Feb. 26, '08 at 9:28 PM
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Ok, I'm not completely insensitive to the forces facing a womans organs, but are we being a tad bit dramatic here? You're making it sound like a Brazilian would equate to a near certain trip to the hospital or something. Also it sounds like hair is a kevlar vest for the vagina protecting it from all evil. |
posted by alexism on Feb. 26, '08 at 10:07 PM
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Spoken like a man! But seriously... some women are more prone to vaginal irritations and infections than others. These ladies wake up every morning with a 50/50 shot of suffering through the day with searing pain in a very sensitive place. Sometimes they can't even sleep through the night because of the burning, both inside and out of their vagina, urethra or both. Believe it or not, I've had to toss out a set of flannel-like sheets due to the fabric's incessant shedding and pilling, which didn't combine well with my preference to sleep without underwear (yet another health measure most women are advised to take). |
posted by Cirkustanz on Feb. 26, '08 at 10:25 PM
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Ok, I concede. While I think what we have here in this subject is a simple situation of the rare exception being a lot more common amongst the participants than what is normal (the term vocal minority comes to mind) across the population, I have to remind myself that what Citygal is talking about is nothing more than an objection to a woman completely shaving herself. I'm fine with that, for a number of reasons. The obvious being that it is agreed in this subject that grooming for both sexes IS important, and is very much a response to the original question. But more importantly, it's a personal choice and although this was brought up clearly with the implications of how it effects sexuality, the fact is that the woman herself is the one most impacted, however she decides to take care of herself. But allow me one last statement. The next time I am blessed with the opportunity to "sit down for a box lunch", I will say thank you. I promise. |
posted by CityGal on Feb. 26, '08 at 11:15 PM
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I really don't think we're being dramatic at all. Perhaps passionate a better word, since it is, after all, our passion center that's front and centre in this discussion. While I'm not sure of the statistics, I do know that as someone with a very sensitive immune system who experiences these problems and discusses them openly with friends and others when the topic arises, I am far from alone. Almost every time it comes up, women respond with their own horror stories. The fact is, we keep a TON of information from men because we are afraid that you wouldn't want to have sex with us. I decided three years ago, once my health problems became a daily battle (though at this point I don't fall into the 50/50 category, if I take in too much sugar, don't drink enough water, fail to get enough sleep, or find myself under a lot of stress, my girl parts let me know in record time and after every test under the sun, no one can tell me exactly what's wrong with me), to stop being afraid and to speak about my experiences, dirty looks from the male population be damned. Now, for your edification, I give you the trend du jour circa 1948, Lysol douching (make sure you scroll down). "Why does she spend evenings alone?" this advertisement asks. Well, because she "neglects that one essential, personal feminine hygiene." I'm willing to bet that the average man would have offered similar arguments as were proffered in this topic for this de rigeur practice sixty years ago... We now know that douching in any form is very, very bad, but LYSOL? jesus. The chemical burns alone. |
posted by alexism on Feb. 26, '08 at 11:21 PM
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OMFG. I can't even use scented soap! Simon poses a good question, though: Why are women preferring to go the next-to-nothing route these days? |
posted by gretchenmary on Feb. 27, '08 at 9:41 AM
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Some women can't embrace their bodies in all it's glory. They follow the images that are presented to them in magazines and movies. To each their own I guess, but I believe it's everyone's duty to trim consistently. Frankly, when I'm in the lockerroom, I am often surprised at how many women DON'T trim at all which is a little scary and jarring. Keep it manageable ladies and gents! |
posted by tapqueen on Feb. 27, '08 at 9:43 AM
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Ouch! Lysol?? Personally I tried bare on a whim years back and just liked it and haven't thought about it much since but now that you have me thinking about it...I'd have to say it's in part laziness. Like if you go all the way with it you don't have to guess how much is enough grooming. Luckily my other half doesn't mind. But- I would not keep that practice if I was suffering, hell no. I think to each his/her own is fine. |
posted by backally on Feb. 27, '08 at 11:04 AM
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It's so funny you bring up the Lysol douche thing CityGal, because I remembered hearing about that years ago and brought it up in my women's history class last week when we were discussing "abortifacients". I couldn't remember if it was supposedly going to induce an abortion, or if it was simply marketed as a douche for hygiene reasons...I think back in the day douches were meant to kill sperm...but all the language of the advertisements had to be very carefully-worded to avoid upsetting people. But I agree, keep it trimmed y'all. Nobody wants a mouthful of hair! Otherwise to each his own/her own. |
posted by wr3n on Feb. 27, '08 at 11:30 AM
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@alexism - I answered Simon's question. Some women find it enhances pleasure. @CityGal - Just as you have significant health issues without the hair, for some the hair leads to being less than fresh even if you shower daily. I don't care what people do as it is a personal choice and indeed there are health benefits on both sides of the equation. I guess what's baffling to me is while it's acceptable for you make that choice to keep it, it sounds like you're bent on insisting it's not an acceptable choice for others to get rid of it. The inference is because something is best for some women it's the only logical choice for all women. I hope that's not your intention. However, your passion sounds like a mandate. There's a lot choices we all make regarding our bodies from what we eat to what we wear to the soaps we use to the styling products to the height of our shoes to the climate we live in. All these things impact our health in different ways and all these give us pleasure in different ways. What's right for one person doesn't have to be right for another. Forget any patriarchal arguments, whatever happened to women respecting each other's rights to make their own choices? |
posted by kimi08 on Feb. 27, '08 at 12:54 PM
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I just noticed the tag name ;) I am now a subscriber to all things muff. |
posted by CityGal on Feb. 27, '08 at 1:50 PM
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I think, wr3n, you're misinterpreting my fervor on the subject as some kind of mandate. My ire is directed at those who showed ignorance, only, by continuing to insinuate that women who choose to be unshaved are not normal and are gross. But, to be fair to my situation, I had shaved for years and was perfectly healthy up until October 2004, at which point my immune system took a nose dive; it started with five illnesses with 102-105 degree fevers that piggybacked one another, and spiraled down from there. Believe me, I didn't want to stop shaving, but I realised, ultimately, that I was not doing it for anyone but the people I was dating, because it was the perceived norm. It became a decision about my health. I have since learned that my situation was far from uncommon, and my intent is only to alleviate similar concerns amongst women who are going through their own problems, and believe me, there are many. Throwing down the women respecting one another card shows me that you haven't experienced a situation where you were afraid to become intimate with people because your health. It throws a lot of things into perspective, and it's that perspective that I am offering here, only. |
posted by jscheeler7 on Feb. 27, '08 at 2:26 PM
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As long as we're talking pubic hair styles, I think I'm going to bring back (or introduce) the pube pompadour. After all, the crotch is just another opportunity to rock a fierce patch o' fur. The landing strip is basically a vagina mohawk if you really think about it. I agree that the Afro has fallen out of favor with some, and bald heads seem to be a pretty time-consuming look, what with all the upkeep. I am not, however, a fan of mullets or the mutton chop pube-burns. I like to keep it classy. If women like to have a Fidel Castro beard down there, I say let 'em. If guys want to mow the whole lawn, I'm fine with that. It's not my place to judge. |
posted by wr3n on Feb. 27, '08 at 2:31 PM
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@CityGal - This is why I said I hoped that was *not* your intention but what it sounded like. I don't *know* your intent. Too bad you can't extend the same courtesy. You say because I'd like women to respect each other's rights I haven't experienced certain things. Lemme 'splain a little something. I was in a marriage that ended with my ex in jail, his disclosure of a string of infidelities, a number of std tests, and diagnoses that led to a biopsy and likely future ones as well. So don't tell me that I haven't experienced situations that lead to fear regarding intimacy because I live it all the %$#& time, thankyouverymuch. I could throw out more miserable details and examples of my experiences but what is the point? I shouldn't have to prove my vaginal angst cred to "throw down" a desire for women to respect each other's right to make their own choices. I can respect that you make this choice for your health and you want other women to know it's okay to make the same choice. Can you respect that other women don't all do it for men and respect their right to choose for themselves? |
posted by jenna2759 on Feb. 27, '08 at 3:07 PM
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Whoa, I don't look at this for a day, and... I must say, everything that CityGal has said felt like it could've come from my own lips, either set. (Sorry, had to...still giggling). Loved the male comments on how there are no possible health complications to shaving. I believe I have receipts from Brazilians I've gotten that coincide almost perfectly to doctor visits. And I have talked to several women who find themselves much more prone to infections after shaving/waxing, so it's by no means a small minority of women who have this problem. CityGal was right on when she said that men don't know because a lot of women keep it to themselves. Absolutely it should be a personal choice whether or not to shave/wax. I know I feel really unattractive when things get out of hand. But I hate feeling like I have to be bare to be attractive, because for me and for many other women, it's unrealistic and unhealthy. |
posted by sigep1901 on Feb. 27, '08 at 3:50 PM
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Allow myself to introduce..... myself... Seriously, hari, down there has got to go for all parties. Guys remember the saying, "Do onto others as they would do on to you." remember that one? Well lock it in.. Cause it holds for many aspects of the dating and marital scene. if your other is trimming the tree and keeping things "inshape" so should you. Why wouldn't you?!?! She is taking the time to put effort into keeping things in order and so should you.. I do!! Plus it just looks better.. If I meet a girl and things aren't "under raps" I assume and there are other things that aren't together.. (know what I mean) I'm sure ladies think the same way. P.S. On a side note, not everyone is built like a horse.. So taking care of your area will make your buddy look bigger in the light!! Take a note from your boi.. Enjoy the day.. |
posted by CityGal on Feb. 27, '08 at 3:54 PM
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Okay, then, wr3n, I really don't understand why you're upset with me about what I've said. I have not said anything to disrespect your choices or the choices of any women here; I have only spoken against the ignorance of people who have no idea that health issues are in play. |
posted by Cirkustanz on Feb. 27, '08 at 4:03 PM
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@ citygal "My ire is directed at those who showed ignorance, only, by continuing to insinuate that women who choose to be unshaved are not normal and are gross." And where exactly was that done? I've looked over every message here again, and I can't find a single example of it. |
posted by matt on Feb. 27, '08 at 5:03 PM
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It sounds like everyone has gotten around to the same page, so let's summarize.
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posted by matt on Feb. 27, '08 at 5:12 PM
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On a side note, I was astonished to find in my first trip to a straight strip club that the current vogue among female exotic dancers is to go hairless. Given that the sight of a pubeless guy in a porno is an instant boner-buster for me, I turned to my straight friends and said, "Do men really like this?" The girls informed me that yes, there was an expectation among the men they dated that they'd be bald down there, and the guys backed it up. Shocking. |
posted by simon_peter on Feb. 27, '08 at 8:24 PM
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"Expectation" may be strong. I never expected it, I just started encountering it. An "expectation" may be created by recent experience giving the appearance of a norm. Then again, maybe it is an age thing: the younger, the balder. I don't know whether women do it because men "expect" it or whether they think men expect it. I would hope that women would make decisions more independently. Please not another gender skirmish... |
posted by jscheeler7 on Feb. 28, '08 at 9:47 AM
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Wow, people getting snippy really kills a thread...who knew?! |
posted by alexism on Feb. 28, '08 at 4:31 PM
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Interesting thought about age, Simon. I used to go the 100% removal route in my mid-20s, but now I generally just keep a clean undercarriage for hygienic purposes. I've never fielded a complaint nor a request to shed the muff. |
posted by wheeleramanda on Feb. 28, '08 at 8:34 PM
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For me the decision to try a brazillion was an experiment. It was an experiment I will not do again because of the awful bumps encountered through the healing process made me look diseased, and thank goodness I didn't have a boyfriend at the time!! And the healing took nearly two weeks and they say you should do it what, every 4-6 weeks! That would be crazy! Nice and trimmed is the way I prefer. |
posted by peterHDK on Feb. 29, '08 at 7:49 AM
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not even yesterday's site down-time could slow the momentum of pube prep from being the most commented on topic on vita.mn ever! |
posted by page750 on Feb. 29, '08 at 1:07 PM
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Going entirely bald (female or male) seems unnecessary and a bit creepy, but when you are in a long-term relationship, a trim can have meaning--it might say "I'm thinking about sex" or "I'm in the mood" or "pay a little attention please." You can communicate intentions, moods, etc. It's fun. Also, the process of grooming itself can be exciting. With hectic schedules, just taking 10 or 15 minutes to ponder the state of your privates can seem like a mini-vacation. Or do I just need to start meditating? |
posted by jscheeler7 on Feb. 29, '08 at 3:29 PM
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I believe this joke to be applicable to this thread, given that it has to do with Bush and Brazilians: Donald Rumsfeld is giving the president his daily briefing. He concludes by saying: "Yesterday, 3 Brazilian soldiers were killed." "OH NO!" the President exclaims. "That's terrible!" His staff sits stunned at this display of emotion, nervously watching as the President sits, head in hands. Finally, the President looks up and asks, "How many is a brazillion?" |
posted by sopheava on Feb. 29, '08 at 3:37 PM
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I've been generally trying to stay far away from this thread ... but damn that was a funny joke :P. |
posted by kdgrrl5 on Feb. 29, '08 at 7:39 PM
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Who could have ever guessed that Pubes were the most interesting thing in the TC to rant and rave about? That was some good reading- thanks guys! |
posted by keith28 on Mar. 1, '08 at 2:24 AM
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I remember the first time one of my good friends decided to trim his pubes and he went with the full monty. This was 10 years ago in college. Hearing all the jokes in the locker room about the "feathered chicken", I thought there was no way this guy was serioulsy going to do this again. But in the next couple weeks, it caught on like a tidal wave, and this was in small town Iowa. I asked my girlfriend at the time (who did not shave), and some of her friends, what they thought about it, and their reaction was a collective "gross." Fastforward 8 years and my then girlfriend requests that I do a little trimming down under, and, to my chagrin, I oblige. I'll never look back and I'll tell ya, I'm pretty happy that she made that suggestion. It makes sexual experiences, with or without a partner, more pleasurable. And getting compliments about how cute it looks can never get old. I think the below the beltline trim is here to stay for both men and women. The general assumption is that unkempt, out of control hair is not sexy, and until it is, body trimmers will be seen on the shelves at Target. |
posted by Cirkustanz on Mar. 1, '08 at 2:46 AM
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For some tongue-in-cheek humor, check out the website for the Philips bodytrimmer. www.shaveeverywhere.com (you have to click on body, unless you want to learn about a nose trimmer) There is a lot to the website actually, and it's hilarous! |
posted by Aurinko on Mar. 3, '08 at 12:05 AM
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I don't think the health implications of shaving/waxing in women are actually all that rare. Thinking about myself and those I know and also factoring in the large amounts of toxic chemicals in the world these days, I feel like a majority of women have likely experienced at least one bad incident. Just look at all the women on here who have expressed having issues with it... |
posted by becky3982 on Mar. 3, '08 at 11:33 AM
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I shaved once (at the ex's request), and I looked so weird! It's very pre-pubescent and pedophilic, I think... plus, as the hair was growing back, talk about itchy and irritated! I keep myself trimmed now, when things start to get unruly... but nothing shorter than 1/2 an inch. I don't think my bf trims at all... he barely gets hair-cuts! :) But it's not something that has bothered me or gotten in the way of our pleasurable times... |
posted by danvoigt on Mar. 3, '08 at 9:17 PM
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I think keeping it trimmed nice would do the job. I wouldn't shave completely and wouldn't expect someone to do it. How ever if that is what they preferred then thats totally a choice they can make. I am ok with it either way as long as its not total jungle down there. |
posted by aliecat30 on Mar. 4, '08 at 1:33 PM
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I used to do it because my ex thought it would be fun. I quit having it done when my aesthetician used too hot wax and I got 2nd degree burns (I actually developed peeling skin and couldn't really sit down for two days). After that, I grew it out and he was actually just as happy. I find that once your pants are off, most guys don't really care either way. |
posted by alexism on Mar. 4, '08 at 1:43 PM
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Holy horror. What a terrible experience. I'm with you on the pants-off point, aliecat. In regards to straight couples, It seems like men can express their preferences, but at the end of the day they're not going to hold out on sex if their partner isn't waxed. At the same time, it seems like most women are more content with a little maintenance; some trimming at the least. One thing to consider, too, is that people have all kinds of different hair situations. Thick, thin, wooly, sparse. |
posted by aliecat30 on Mar. 4, '08 at 1:47 PM
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@alexism, it happened at one of the places you recommended, but I think it was more of a fluke, since I was a customer there for about 6 months without incident. Not fun or sexy. |
posted by alexism on Mar. 4, '08 at 2:40 PM
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Ack! Faulty equipment? There's a reason to never get a wax if I've ever heard one. |
posted by aliecat30 on Mar. 4, '08 at 6:24 PM
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@alexism I'm not sure what happened, and the nice little Minnesotan I am, I didn't complain, I just never went back (and bitch about it constantly). |
posted by alexism on Mar. 12, '08 at 1:58 AM
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Though I can't verify the facts, I found an interesting timeline on the history of shaving. |
posted by CityGal on Aug. 13, '09 at 3:13 PM
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A timely thread resurrection... Recently, I slept with a fellow who is quite possibly the most rugged, masculine man I've enjoyed coitus with--and boy, did I enjoy it. But, he happens to shave his balls, first time I've encountered this. Well, okay. Don't like the look of it, would prefer the hairiness, but whatever. Then we slept together again two days later, and holy hell, the stubble was awful. It hurt. For that, and another, more miasmic, substance based reason, I had to tell him I couldn't continue. Never again! ack. |
posted by simon_peter on Aug. 13, '09 at 3:56 PM
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No you didn't resurrect this blasted thread. C'mon, after 18 months, can't we start anew? BTW, gross. |
posted by ChelleG on Aug. 13, '09 at 5:13 PM
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Personally, while I keep things trimmed up, I'm with the view that shaving the genitalia is a fad. I keep hearing "nobody wants a mouthful of hair," but lets face it -- our parents' generation didn't think anything of it, because porn and media wasn't telling *them* that it was unhealthy and unattractive. I find it unappealing when men totally shave; I feel it's unmasculine, but that's my personal preference. I do find it amusing that people are talking about putting their mouths in the same place from which someone urinates.. and complaining about hair, of all things. |
posted by CityGal on Aug. 13, '09 at 5:32 PM
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Sorry Simon. Not sorry. |
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