To not be fussed about shaven legs and swimming

Well you think of an example of something you just do on a regular basis without thinking about it I would only be shocked if one of my close friends suddenly stopped shaving as they always have

Again, seat belts have a purpose. Shaving your legs has no purpose other than conforming to external beauty standards,

But it’s not a question of safety, like wearing a seat belt, is it. If you know it’s not at all important and it’s just something you do because it’s an unthinking part of your routine, why would you be shocked if someone else didn’t do it, or mention it to them, as you said you would?

How is it unhealthy?

No, fuck that. I don’t bother if I don’t want to. Your friend was incredibly rude - she can shave if she wants to but it’s literally nothing to do with her if you shave or not.

Also, this raises the assumption that shaving every day or more than once a week or so is healthy. It's really not. I'm all for personal preference but every day is unhealthy.

I no longer give two shits about this sort of thing I have body hair (in places it shouldn’t be - lockdown was a revelation!!); go out (even out/out) with no makeup; air dry my wild wavy hair… I’m comfortable with that and often get told I don’t look my age. I NEVER judge anyone on their choices, so don’t expect to be judged on mine xx

I take baby swimming every Friday to a class and sometimes I don’t shave my legs and I generally never shave my armpits, sometimes I feel self conscious but no one even looks, shes obviously just insecure.

You don't understand because your taking what I said wrongly iv said it repeatedly I used brushing your teeth and flushing the loo as examples I do without thinking just like shaving it's just part of my routine for me. Would people understand better if I said putting a seat belt on its not something I put thought in to I just do it

Funny that you picked 2 'normal everyday things' that are very much about hygiene and sanitation. You didn't pick having a morning cuppa, or opening the bedroom curtains....

As a surfer, I've worn shorts - mostly jammer length - for years. It's not about modesty, it's little about practicality, it's a lot about comfort. I don't have body hang ups, in fact, I take any padding out of my tankini or bikini tops and don't wear padded bras.

I don't think MN is the usual dynamic when it comes to shaving. Many on here trip over themselves to say they never shave anything, they love it and their husband really does'nt care.

This is not the case with anyone I know.

wtf? You think it’s dirty not to shave your legs?

I really don’t understand that. Brushing your teeth and flushing the toilet are done for hygiene reasons and to be respectful to other people who don’t want to have to smell your foul breath or your urine/faeces. In what way does hair growing on your legs affect anyone else more than hair growing on your head?

What a shame you have been brainwashed to be ashamed of something that men never think twice about. The fashion for women to feel they need hairless bodies like prepubescent children is very creepy, imo.

I think do whatever makes you comfortable. I'm very lucky to have blonde leg hair so I am definitely guilty of going for a swim with hairy legs especially when DC were small and I was short in time!
I hardly ever shave them over the winter

Why remark on it if you don't have a problem with it? It doesn't sound like you'd be making a positive comment....

@HipToTheHopDontStop I think you're right!

I know why I'm always clean shaven I don't need to question it.

I have dark hair, I dont shave even with my sleeveless tops and shorts, husband find no issue. I would encourage people to normalise our normal / natural bodies, I am too lazy to shave. 😊

I've changed over from traditional swimming costumes to something like this- https://seafancy.co.uk/product/floral-scoop-neck-wide-straps-tummy-control-one-piece-swimsuit?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA19e8BhCVARIsALpFMgFX5TK6H_4bJ0CGU_fHsPxo1CBAHUYB0PW32IJEDdhUvK89t5a8RwoaAq9KEALw_wcB it's been amazing having shorts covering my bum area. i feel so much more comfortable and nothing moves around on the slides. I'm not going back!

I don't have a problem with others not shaving I haven't said i did. I said I do and that I would say something to a close friend if they didn't as this is how me and my friends talk. Iv not said once in this whole thread that not shaving is an issue others have created that story in their own heads

Love swimming and go a couple of times a week, don’t think I’ve ever noticed what anyone else has done body hair wise! I’m religious about armpit shaving as I hate the feel, quite lax with legs especially in winter. No one has ever mentioned it to me!

Thinking doesn't hurt. It's fun to question things we automatically do sometimes, and learn about why we do them.

(This does occasionally lead to me coming out with some very odd questions or thoughts... sometimes mid conversation!)

I'm 24 so definitely not generational as everyone i know shaves under the age of 60 but maybe more an area thing

So, back in the day/up until approx 1990s majority of women only shaved legs and armpits plus occasional trim or bikini wearing prep shave. It would never have occurred to me to shave in the winter months unless there was an event where a sleeveless garment needed wearing or I had very hairy legs and swam regularly.

My mum had very dark brown hair and made me promise I'd only shave my legs if they became really hairy. They didn't and I'm now 60+ and have never shaved them.

The whole hairless ness thing must be over and done with at some point. It's surely not a thing a woman does to please themselves. How can it be? It's not beneficial to health or emotional well-being based on anything motivated by female desire.