54 replies to this topic

[Bonam]

Well, I can't speak for all women, but I definitely check out a man's legs (when they're visible). I love hockey and soccer players' legs, and cyclists too.

Come to think of it, why DO men cover up their nice legs while women accentuate them?

You can come over and check out my cyclist/runner/hiker legs any time you want...

[August1991]

This seems to me an absurd question. Why don't men use lipstick? Why don't women grow beards?

Men could wear lipstick. Most women can't grow beards.

I see a difference.

Because body hair confers an impression of masculinity.

Minute, papillon.

On what basis do you make that claim?

Do you mean that people with body hair are usually men? And I suppose that you think people without wedding rings are single.

Actually, shaving is such a pain in the ass I don't know why women don't all get laser hair removal. imagine doing that awful waxing stuff (youch!) for forty or fifty years. If I had a daughter I'd give her laser hair removal as a present on her eighteenth birthday.

I assume you can't do it on the face or I'd hear of men doing it.

Scotty, your point partly motivated my OP. Modern technology makes hair removal easy.

Exactly. The majority of the Earth's women do not, in fact, shave their legs.

Do you have a cite for that claim?

I'll bet however that most women around the world view a hairless body (other than the hair on their head) as Western, modern and sophisticated. Incidentally, French has two different words for head hair (cheveux) and body hair (poil).

----

Returning to Kimmy's point, all American presidents since Woodrow Wilson have been beardless. And yet, most American presidents in the 19th century had beards (eg. Lincoln). Of course, in the 19th century, women did not have the right to vote.

Body hair may be perceived as masculine but apparently women voters don't like it on their leaders.

Edited by August1991, 03 June 2011 - 11:43 PM.

[BC_chick]

You can come over and check out my cyclist/runner/hiker legs any time you want...

Hikers! I forgot hikers! You got me right there (though having read your posts I don't think we'd have much to chat about other than legs, lol)

No but seriously, I don't know who these women were that told Jack legs aren't important. There is nothing more ridiculous-looking than these gym-goers who spend all their time building their chest and arms and leave skinny little legs dangling under.

Legs are far more important!

[Sir Bandelot]

My father never said to me "son, you must let your hair grow". Yet I would never shave my legs or chest, for the sake of vanity. I mean I would do it if it were necessary for some other reason such as health or survival.

What I mean is, it's just natural for me and I was not taught to be this way.

My father never had a beard. I have had many beards, moustaches and sideburns. That is the way I am. I do shave, of course, but do it on order to keep myself clean, and to accent my masculine good looks. Mature men are naturally hairy, course, and rough. Women are naturally smoother. Testosterone contributes to body hair growth.

I don't want to shave my entire body, but some men do. My opinion of them is that they're kind of queer.

Edited by Sir Bandelot, 03 June 2011 - 11:40 PM.

[BC_chick]

I don't want to shave my entire body, but some men do. My opinion of them is that they're kind of queer.

Entire body - maybe. But a hairless chest is not just 'feminine' (thereby 'queer'), it's also very youthful-looking which appeals to a lot of women as well.

[bush_cheney2004]

[Bonam]

Hikers! I forgot hikers! You got me right there (though having read your posts I don't think we'd have much to chat about other than legs, lol)

Yep, can't forget the hikers. Women hikers and skiers have the most amazing legs and butts ever As for chatting, you'd be surprised. Just about all my friends are pretty liberal and we get along just fine.

No but seriously, I don't know who these women were that told Jack legs aren't important. There is nothing more ridiculous-looking than these gym-goers who spend all their time building their chest and arms and leave skinny little legs dangling under.

Ha, funny image. Apparently their little dangly parts down there can refer to all 3 appendages... I know exactly what you mean though. I know a few guys that go to the gym and work out every day and lift like 3 times more than I ever could, but take them on a hike and they are tired and winded after half an hour. Definitely gotta have a balance.

[Bonam]

My father never said to me "son, you must let your hair grow". Yet I would never shave my legs or chest, for the sake of vanity. I mean I would do it if it were necessary for some other reason such as health or survival.

What I mean is, it's just natural for me and I was not taught to be this way.

My father never had a beard. I have had many beards, moustaches and sideburns. That is the way I am. I do shave, of course, but do it on order to keep myself clean, and to accent my masculine good looks. Mature men are naturally hairy, course, and rough. Women are naturally smoother. Testosterone contributes to body hair growth.

I don't want to shave my entire body, but some men do. My opinion of them is that they're kind of queer.

My opinion on men's body hair is... let the gf/wife decide. Haha. If a shave, wax, or laser hair removal is gonna help make your partner more excited, well, it's a very small price to pay. Converse true too of course, some girls like my luxuriant fur...

[Scotty]

On another note, kissing a woman with a mustache sucks.

When is it considered acceptable to throw your glass of beer in an Italian woman's face?

When her mustache is on fire.

[DogOnPorch]

When is it considered acceptable to throw your glass of beer in an Italian woman's face?

When her mustache is on fire.

[August1991]

Entire body - maybe. But a hairless chest is not just 'feminine' (thereby 'queer'), it's also very youthful-looking which appeals to a lot of women as well.

Youthful, but not masculine?

In the past, male body hair denoted age, sophistication and wealth - since young men were poor and didn't have much body hair but older rich men had hair.

Nowadays, maybe a lack of male body hair is a sign of sophistication/wealth since it requires money to remove it. Body hair (male or female) signals poverty because only poor men/women can't afford to remove it. Rich men/women show their wealth by shaving/laser.

Lack of body hair is like straight, white teeth. Only rich people can afford it.

----

But why do women/men shave differently? That is, why do women care more about the colour of their teeth than men? (Do they?)

My opinion on men's body hair is... let the gf/wife decide. Haha. If a shave, wax, or laser hair removal is gonna help make your partner more excited, well, it's a very small price to pay. Converse true too of course, some girls like my luxuriant fur...

After various discussions on this issue, I came to the same conclusion. I'm still trying to understand what this conclusion means for Western Civilization.

Edited by August1991, 05 June 2011 - 09:51 PM.

[BC_chick]

Youthful, but not masculine?

In the past, male body hair denoted age, sophistication and wealth - since young men were poor and didn't have much body hair but older rich men had hair.

Nowadays, maybe a lack of male body hair is a sign of sophistication/wealth since it requires money to remove it. Body hair (male or female) signals poverty because only poor men/women can't afford to remove it. Rich men/women show their wealth by shaving/laser.

Lack of body hair is like straight, white teeth. Only rich people can afford it.

You're talking about the effect, I'm talking about the cause. In a society where beauty is defined by age - both male and female - the physical characteristics that are normally attributed to youth can be 'purchased' by those who can afford them.

Lack of body hair and white teeth which you mention are both signs of youth. Add in wrinkle-free skin, thick, long hair... just about any physical characteristic that makes you 'beautiful' is effectively something that makes you look younger.

It naturally follows that the rich can afford to (attempt to) look younger than their non-rich counterparts.

[GostHacked]

Male cyclists and swimmers DO shave their legs...But it's not a fashion statement

This is true, I had not done it myself, but many who I cycled with did. For cycling the reason is road rash, shaved legs drastically minimizes the amount of road rash one gets when wiping out. The hair can get caught on rough surfaces like pavement and rip a good chunk of skin/flesh off you. It's still going to hurt either way. But with the shaved legs is seriously reduces the damage.

[Bonam]

This is true, I had not done it myself, but many who I cycled with did. For cycling the reason is road rash, shaved legs drastically minimizes the amount of road rash one gets when wiping out. The hair can get caught on rough surfaces like pavement and rip a good chunk of skin/flesh off you. It's still going to hurt either way. But with the shaved legs is seriously reduces the damage.

Interesting. For swimmers, I know it's to reduce hydrodynamic drag.

[guyser]

This is true, I had not done it myself, but many who I cycled with did. For cycling the reason is road rash, shaved legs drastically minimizes the amount of road rash one gets when wiping out. The hair can get caught on rough surfaces like pavement and rip a good chunk of skin/flesh off you. It's still going to hurt either way. But with the shaved legs is seriously reduces the damage.

Minor quibble here.

Its not the road rash prevention .

Its the road rash and when it starts to heal, all those little hairs dont get caught in the wound.

I had some road rash , stupidly lied down for a nap later on and pulled a fuzzy blanket over top of me. Yes, hilarity ensued as I pulled off the blanket. Swear words and all.

Edited by guyser, 07 June 2011 - 02:03 PM.