Weird confession: unshaven women

[teach1st]

Back in the late 60s and early 70s, one rather large subset of the hippie thing was "the naturals." Natural women typically wore their hair long, flowing, and natural; shunned all makeup; went barefoot when possible; and didn't shave their armpits or legs (the men didn't shave either). I spent my formative years and long after hanging with this subset, and I developed quite an attraction for this sort of women. There was much more to this lifestyle, of course, including spiritual outlook, diet, etc. When I broke up with my unshaven, natural lover and the mother of my daughters, this style was long passe, but I still long for it.

I realize that women in current culture might need to conform to current styles to keep jobs (I shave for my job). At the age of fifty-one, this is my ideal woman, but it seems very few women in my area at my age are even close to its philosophy. I wonder if I should just get over it.

[Hillaryin08]

1. i hate to shave

but i feel alot more presentable when i do.

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. I am your age

and I was a teen hippie woman too.Didn't used to shave my legs. But I shaved my armpits. So maybe I wasn't a full fledged hippie??

[teach1st]

3. Full-fledged?

Well, were you vegetarian? ;-)

I still consider myself hippie, though my hair is short, my bong has been long empty, and I work for the man.

[proud2BlibKansan]

22. Nope

I ate meat and didn't live in a commune. But I had really long hair and I remember your bong:)

[teach1st]

29. The bong...

..and some strawberry wine. Well, OK, and a little orange sunshine once in a while.

I lived communally and then in a collective in the wilds.

[BigMcLargehuge]

4. you sure you aren't Portuguese like me?

We have a saying in New Bedford:

Q; Why do Portuguese men grow mustaches?
A: To look like their mothers.

I have an appreciation for the soft fur of a female face.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

10. That was a Greek joke in Cambridge

so many Greek girls I grew up wih started shaving at 11 and waxing mustaches at 12.

[frictionlessO]

11. ROFLMFAO OH GODS AND AGAIN ROFLMAO

as a west coast (Manteca, Modesto) portagee..... I can confirm that you speak the truth!!

My wife is a bit on the hirsute side of thangs!

LOL... LMAO... too funny Mr. Huge!!

[Cadence]

23. I'm Greek and I have a weird mix

because I'm also half Irish. So I have blonde hair, tan really well and four chin hairs that think it's funny to try and grow after relentless plucking.

That's probably not what you meant huh?

[SheilaT]

5. In a way all of those

choices suit me. So I didn't vote.

Personally I went for a number of years rarely if ever shaving my legs, but I was always wearing long pants so no one ever saw what little hair I had.

I've always been relatively free of body hair, and now that I've passed menopause, it's quite astonishing. No leg or arm hair, only a few odd hairs under my arms. Hair on my head is the same as ever, for which I'm grateful. Well, I do color it because I decided I don't want gray hair, but that's different.

[Dzimbowicz]

6. Although I know I'm in the minority

I prefer natural women. But, whatever... :shrug:

[teach1st]

7. Don't most men say...

...they prefer women without makeup?

[Dzimbowicz]

9. I never really paid much attention...

I know that I do. My preferences: no make-up, no perfume (I'm allergic to most of them) and no fancy hair-dos.

On Edit: If men are not expected to shave their bodies (pits and legs), then why should women be expected to do so?

[redqueen]

8. How certain are you that very few don't shave?

I think a sizeable minority of women don't. I've known more than a few who didn't, and while some were comfortable enough to show it, most hid it under pants. Perhaps there are more than you think out there.

And can you really just get over what you long for? If you know of a way, would you please let me know how?

[teach1st]

12. How I know...

..I live in Florida, where shorts are common.

And can you really just get over what you long for?

You're right. You have to want to get over stuff, I think. I don't think I want to get over this.

[UncleSepp]

13. Makes more sense than the other way round

I heard a theory once that what is attractive about a shaven face on a man is that it makes him look boyish. It kind of makes sense. The same would be true about a woman with no body hair, it makes her look more girlish. Specifically, it makes her look pre-pubescent, especially if she removes her pubic hair as well as coarse armpit and leg hair. To me, that's just creepy. I can stand to look at women with smooth legs and armpits, just because that's the cultural norm here (like bare chins on men). A completely hairless woman I find just weird at an instinctual level. Women with hair seem to me to be definitely WOMEN and not girls, and I find that much, much more sexy.

Also, heavily made up women give me the creeps in the same way mimes and clowns do. I think I missed some cultural conditioning somewhere.

Besides, you like what you like! You might find that a woman you like for other reasons would be happy to give you that (and get back that extra time in the day that it takes to shave). Be ready to give to her as well, if she has something she finds sexy in a man that you have no particular objection to trying. That process of doing things to be sexy to each other can make a relationship a lot of fun, and is a great way to express to your partner that you're positive about sex and specifically positive about sex with them.

[skygazer]

14. My hubby would prefer I didn't shave

And he very much appreciates the fact that I don't wear makeup and perfume. I can't not shave, though. I would be very self conscious if I had hairy legs and armpits - besides, I like the feeling of smooth legs.

I won't wear makeup though - I've never seen the sense. Half that stuff is lousy for your skin, it's expensive, and I prefer the way people look without it. Too many people wear far too much and look like clowns, IMO.

[myopinion]

15. shave,

hell I don't even wear underware, just an old hippe from the sixtys.

[Kire]

16. I have known a number of Gen-X'er ladies who don't shave anything.

I still know a few who are very, very attractive. I don't know if that's the thing, but it's certainly part of it.

[Withywindle]

17. What's weird about that?

:shrug:


I only shave in the summer. The boyfriend's fine with it either way (TMI warning: except shaving the crotch is totally off-limits; he's grossed out by that completely. Tried it once as an "experiment" and didn't get laid until it grew back. Fine by me, it's not something I need to experience again.) The only thing that's unpleasant either way is stubble.

He's got a decent amount of body hair. I find it sexy.

[anonymousdemocrat]

18. The NEW Joy Of Sex still recommends women don't shave their pits

I do, myself; but I found that part very interesting!

[fluffernutter]

19. is there a reason why?

just curious.

[anonymousdemocrat]

21. Supposedly, it is a very sexy thing on a lady;

I don't think all men would agree, this is why I think it is a bit eccentric advice for a best-selling sex manual...

:shrug:

[fluffernutter]

20. i've always shaved, although i'm not very hairy.

it does sound so freeing not to though.

[meganmonkey]

24. I'm 30 and I hardly ever shave

I used to do a lot of Phish tour and Rainbow gatherings, and back then (when I was about 18) I stopped shaving. Now I shave for weddings or other big events. Not because people ask me to, but I like to play dress up when I have an excuse to and that's part of it. But generally, I don't shave. My s/o doesn't seem to mind - he doesn't really care either way.

Shaving is overrated.

:hippie:

[AlienGirl]

25. I like body hair on other people

I shave because I can't stand the feeling of hair under cloth (I'm sensory-defensive about tactile things generally) but I find body hair attractive on other people, male and female.

Tucker

[supernova]

26. I don't shave right now

for a couple of reasons:

1) It's winter and my clothes are so long and heavy or bulky no one will know.

2) Nobody to shave for. So, my morning ablutions are a lot more efficient.

[Solly Mack]

27. Whatever makes you happy

:)

[miss_kitty]

28. I come form a family who are not very hairy

except on the head. I never really shaved my pits, because there was nothing really to shave. I quit shaving my legs in the 70s. all the chemo made the nice hair on my arms go away, but I did not notice it until about 4 months later.

My sister and brother are pretty much the same, except my sister shaves and waxes and stuff, whatever the high-maintanence gal is supposed to do.

[buddhamama]

30. doesn't seem weird to me

I wish there were more men like you as I'd rather not shave. I don't wear makeup and I am a vegetarian hippie type.

edited for misspelling

[miss_kitty]

32. Wow! with a user name like 'buddhamama'

why does your post not surprise me? :)

:hi:

[buddhamama]

33. hehehe

yeah, who'd have thunk it. my style of dress is most definitely not hippie though, more punk. i listen to a lot punk too.


edited for :hi: miss_kitty

[aQuArius]

31. Seems like I was just talking to a DUer about this today

I like to wear my hair long and flowing, no hairspray or gel. I like to go barefoot whenever possible. However, I feel better when my legs (I like wearing skirts without showing fuzz) & pits are shaved. I feel that I should wear make-up, I feel like plain Jane without it. I don't "get my nails done" and take the bra off as soon as I'm home for the night. I feel like I'm low-maintenance and semi-natural but some things, I just gotta have.

[WCGreen]

34. Come on now,,,,,

Cavewomen shave their legs and pits, Barbara Bach, Rachel Welsh and Daryl Hannah all shaved their body hair....

Now me personally, the first time a woman held up her arm in passion while I was doing my business down their, I got so turned on.......

Oh well, Mrs. WC Green isn't like that so I take the bad with the good.....

[Placebo]

35. Eeew! Hairy pits!

:puke:

[IStriker]

36. Go to Europe - Germany or France...

they were "au natural" before it had its run here and still are I believe. I do know some women who never got over the habit once they started (or should I say stopped) but they are of the age that probably would not interest you (your age and up.)

[sugar magnolia]

37. I quit shaving my legs at 20

I'm in my mid 30s now (shhh!) and still don't shave them. I shave my pits just because I don't like the way it feels when I don't. I have blond hair on my legs so its not too noticeable I suppose, but I wouldn't care if it was. I don't wear makeup and I don't wear a bra. But my hair is short.

Anyway, I think body hair on women is sexy. Men too, for that matter. I could never go for the smooth chest.

[davsand]

38. I have not shaved my legs in over twenty years.

It just seemed to me that nobody cared if I did or didn't shave my legs, so I quit. I decided that it was MY preference that counted, and I was TIRED of shaving.

I still hear women talking sometimes and saying stuff like, "I need to shave my legs--I look like a gorilla." I dunno--it bugs hell outta me that women dehumanize them selves over something so trivial as body hair. We have enough to worry about without the whole stubble/hairy leg thing being a factor.

I have only met ONE man in the entire twenty years that has expressed any kind of opinion about preferring shaven legs. He has a general dislike for all body hair--even his own--so I am not surprised he likes the look and feel of clean shaven legs. The rest of the men that I have known well enough to even GET to that kind of conversation have not cared one way or the other.

Frankly, I think a lot of what passes for female beauty really is awfully abnormal stuff. The brightly colored swollen lips--resembling large inflamed labia, the eye shadow that makes eyes look bruised as if we've been battered, even the hair that has to be a certain length and lay a specific way (covered with sprays and gels to the point that if BREAKS!) None of it makes a lot of sense to me.

I am clean--I bathe and use deodorant. My hair is washed and kept in a decent cut. Sometimes I even use perfume--so I can't claim to be a total nature baby. All of you that are neutral on the issue--or even prefer unshaven legs-- are probably people I would find a lot in common with.

Laura

[bobbieinok]

39. heard that in the 19th century in Europe only prostitutes shaved...was

told that's still true in the Middle East

[jellybelly]

41. yes

in islam, women must shave off EVERYTHING...you know what I mean;-)

[Radical Activist]

40. I like the general attitude, style and life philosophy

but I just have to draw the line at a woman not shaving her legs. I find it extremely unappealing.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

42. Hairy pits are gross...even on men.

Men just don't have to shave because they get to set what is sexy in the mainstream.

[REP]

43. So You're That Guy Who Keeps Staring At Me

Though I do shave my legs every now and then.

[teach1st]

58. Sorry, I thought I was being discreet!

;-)

[Liz_Estrada]

44. This hair thread (strand?) is cracking me up!

Yeah, Teach 1st, another unreconstructed child of the 60's/70's checking in. Long hair, hairy legs & pits, no make-up--lucky to have a s/o who has always appreciated the natural me.
I don't understand all these current (painful!) waxing fashions for men and women, but I guess it's just the opposite end of the hair obsession continuum.

[qnr]

45. Though it depends upon your interpretation of "mainstream"

It's popular in most places, aside from the US.

[NashVegas]

46. I'm a Semi

My pits I let go over a year ago, but because I'd been waxing, it takes a while for it all to come back. It's getting there.

I'll do a bikini shave in the summer, only because the way swimsuits are cut I'm forced to.

I'll shave my legs in the summer, but let in go in the winter until it gets to a point where my socks won't stay up.

[ragin_acadian]

47. good thread

as a DU manny-man-man, i find natural women much more appealing than the ideal, partially-hydrogenated, sodium phosphate, conform-to standard that y'all are continuously bombarded with.

[psychopomp]

51. You probably would not like Japan

Women in Japan shave their legs, their armpits, their faces (forehead, between the eyebrows, upper lip) and their arms up to the elbow.

American women tend to shave or cut their pubic hair which Japanese women tend not to do at all.

/not an expert

[American Tragedy]

53. Almost all women in America that I know do much of that as well

Although not their arms so much, and definitely not their faces. Why would you need to shave there?!

[psychopomp]

54. Arms, yes, and hands, too, if there is hair there

Men get their faces shaved, too, if they go to the barber shop and get a shave. That caught me off-guard.

[American Tragedy]

55. Yeah, men went to barber shops in the old days to be shaved

I'm not sure why any guy would go so far out of their way just to have someone else shave their face, as opposed to just doing it themselves.

But why would women shave their faces?

[psychopomp]

56. A shave is stll standard with a haircut

in a Japanese barbarshop. It comes standard though there is no tipping.

>Why would women shave their faces?

To remove unwanted facial hair?:shrug: But, to tell the truth, I thought that was strange, too, when I learned about it. In the larger scheme of things, though, this ladies' preference does not seem so strange. There are more unusual behaviors that are commonly accepted on either side of the Pacific.

[American Tragedy]

57. I guess I never thought of a girl getting any visible facial hair

unless she were taking steroids or developed a hormonal imbalance somehow.

[AngryAmish]

48. y'all sick

[MichaelHarris]

49. you talkin'

Don King in a leg-lock?

[leftofthedial]

50. variable

pits--indifferent

legs--depends on the magnitude of the carpetation

privates--like 'em every which-a-way

I'm a classic liberal


I feel strongly both ways.

[American Tragedy]

52. I shave pretty much everything, mostly out of personal preference

I've never received any complaints, though.