hairy pits

[HeyKu]

I was on the train the other day in a sleeveless top and had a good stretch. I noticed the lady on the row of seats opposite looking curiously at my pits - I don't shave through personal choice, it doesn't personally bother me hence I see no point, I was just curious to know what people actually thought? I've not had any comments, save for people discussing how disgusting they think hairy armpits on women are in general and then looking horribly embarassed when they realise that I do .

[AbbieHoffmansAfro]

I have no idea why people ever got so precious about underarm hair. I don't care about it, though I have to admit I bow to convention and remove mine in summer. My mother says when she was young no one bothered about such things, so the convention is possibly more recent than we realise.

Lots of people will come on and say it is less smelly, more hygienic and more attractive, but this is never said of men, whose pits can remain as hairy as an orangutans without adverse comment.

[elvenbread]

I think hairy pits are ugly...sorry. In winter when I wear longer tops I probably only shave once or twice a week but in summer I shave every 2 days.

[HeyKu]

Exactly! a redundant point. I've invited everyone close to me to tell me if I smell (and they would do), but funnily enough my natural hair doesn't increase pong..

[PrettyPictures92]

Actually if you've hairy armpits it's supposed to be more hygienic or something, though I may be wrong about that.

Personally I shave, but it's down to personal choice and I'd be pissed if someone was to comment on what's essentially none of their business. Kudos to you for not letting others bother you about it

[JustAShopGirl]

I think a 2 or 3 day regrowth looks much worse than natural hair, - that shows I think I should shave, but I'm lazy, rather than I couldn't care less what others think....

I personally shave because I sweat a lot and like a roll on deodorant - getting a hair caught in one of those smarts somewhat!

[DayLillie]

You do what you want with your own armpits - no concern of mine

[Morloth]

I have hairy armpits. No one gives a fuck, or if they do they keep it to themselves which is the same thing as far as I am concerned.

[plantsitter]

I don't care but I might look (hoping you wouldn't see me) like that woman did. It's unusual. It would make me admire you for not conforming like I feel I have to.

[TalcumPowder]

If I noticed I would think, 'There's another of my tribe, who prefer to read novels in the bath than attack their body hair'.

[Fixitagaintomorrow]

I shave daily but only because I don't like the feel of hair there. I say each to their own.

[halfdoneharris]

I think it is a bit gross, and would think of it the same as a woman having an obvious 'tache (in my view hair removal is so easy, I would wonder why you want to keep it?). I wouldn't comment though, but I would definitely do a double take if I saw your hairy pits on the train.

[squoosh]

I would probably admire you for being confident enough to stick two fingers up at societal pressures. I would never bare my pits in public unless they were as smooth as a baby's bum. I do like my pits to be fluff free but am aware that this is down to conditioning.

[MaidOfStars]

I don't like the way it looks, so I shave. I think there's something very delicate and vulnerable about the graceful curves of the underarm. I couldn't give a toss what others do though (although I would secretly think they'd look better shaved).

[ApocalypseNowt]

I wish i were brave enough to bare hairy pits. It's so silly but i'd feel really self concious if i didn't shave. I wouldn't judge you at all - i'd be impressed that you don't feel the need to conform to this daft 'rule'.

I love the winter as i go ages without shaving but they do stay hidden under long sleeve tops.

[HamishBamish]

Personally I do shave regularly, especially if I'm wearing sleeveless tops. However, I think people are curious if they see someone who doesn't, just because it's not generally the norm in the UK.

I wouldn't think anything of it if I saw someone who didn't shave though. It's personal choice isn't it?

[Tikimon]

Personally. I think it's gross.

But it's your life, do what you want.

[flipchart]

talcum I would rather do anything but reason a novel in a bath!

[babyboomersrock]

I think it is a bit gross, and would think of it the same as a woman having an obvious 'tache (in my view hair removal is so easy, I would wonder why you want to keep it?)

Why gross? How is it decided that certain types of hair are less acceptable than others?

As for the 'tache comment - that's verging on cruel. I believe that women with severe facial hair problems need to allow some growth before it can be removed - let's hope they don't come up against any of the hair-phobics in the meantime.

[mindalina]

i hadn't shaved my armpits in months until a couple of weeks ago when i decided i would do it because it was swelteringly hot and i just wasnt brave enough to go out in a vest top with hairy pits. fucking hell, never again. i sweated like a pig for the first week and it was still sore until a few days ago. i am now very sceptical of the idea that its more hygienic to shave because frankly i reeked until the regrowth started, and will be wearing vest tops and pit hair together unashamedly if the sun ever comes back out

[BucktoothedGirlinLuxembourg]

I shave mine but couldn't give 2 shits what others do with theirs

[Davsmum]

I never shave my pits in the winter. I may do in the summer if I wear sleeveless tops but I am lucky - if I do shave, I can go a couple of weeks to a month without much visible regrowth.

[SooticaTheWitchesCat]

I really don't like hairy armpits but if you are happy then it is your choice.

[PacificDogwood]

Your pits - your grooming routine.

I am far more interested in whether or not your pits come in contact with water and soap on a regular basis

[PeachyParisian]

I think it looks grim unshaven but that's probably down to social conditioning. I do it because it feels nicer and smells cleaner!

Funnily enough a lot of the men I know shave their armpits, not a close shave but a thorough trim for hygiene reasons. It depends on how much you sweat and how long the hair gets really, if it doesn't smell good that will affect other people.

Ultimately, your body your choice and nobody should be passing judgement on anyone else's choices.

[LadyFairfaxSake]

Your pits, your choice. I think it looks fine & the hair grows for a reason after all. The amount of posters who say they feel pressured by convention to "conform" to being shaven shows how ludicrous the thing is. I'm sure nobody bothered about it until relatively recently.