It started off with me just being lazy but now it's political. Not sure I've got the stomach to keep it up though...

Bertiebots do you think that all men smell then?

Well done, one day I hope to follow suit. I am not brave enough yet. The more we do it the more it will be seen as a perfectly normal and non 'disgusting' choice!

Ah, interesting beansmum. I don't think men do that here.

I don't notice a difference in sweat, but with hair there I find that they smell more quickly and for longer - whereas a quick wash/shower will remove sweat smell from shaved armpits, you have to really make sure you wash the smell out of the hair (sometimes, it's quicker just to shave it off).

It's a shame as the smell is there for a natural reason, ie, DP never complains - ! - but wider society does object to people smelling of sweat and so I try to keep it under control for that reason.

Messy I hope that ends, I married him dear reader

LOL.. I went out with a guy who used to tell me it looked ugly when I hadn't shaved armpits/legs for a couple of days, that he'd spoken to his mates about it and they all thought my resistance very odd but that he was prepared to put up with it because he loved me...

I felt so honored

Yes way sweatier with shaved pits here

I don't like the way hairy pits can quickly become sweaty. IMVHO there is a genuine reason to remove hair under the arms, whereas none for removing leg hair.

But I do both because I am also conditioned to believe it looks better. However, aftere years of waxing, and as I get older, growth is much sparser so hopefully soon I won't have to bother my pretty little head about it

I once chatted to a newly wed woman who couldn't bring herself to shag her husband unless her pubic hair was removed/trimmed as she was worried about what he'd think, even though he told her he liked her natural.

I've been with DH for 11 years and that fear has never entered my mind... could be cuz I don't read women's trashy fashion magazines or care what reality TV is up to.

I actually felt sorry for her (and her DH).

Last autumn I hadn't shaved my legs for a while and was thinking 'I should get round to that' when I thought 'why?' I don't particularly like my legs shaved/dislike them hairy, so why bother? I've since stopped shaving anywhere.

I did spend a while avoiding sleeveless tops, but now I don't even think about it. There's no way I'm wearing sleeves in this weather, and I've no idea where my razor is :)

DH's cousin has his between-eyebrows waxed. He didn't for a long time - he had quite a serious monobrow - but one night when we were all particularly pissed I started trying to remove the hairs - shortly after, the hair all disappeared!

DH would have his back waxed if it got too hairy - he doesn't like the idea of a hairy back but is very proud of his coconut-matting chest hair.

I don't care either way - it would be his choice - wonder why?

They don't have to, obviously. In the same way that women don't have to remove any hair. If they don't, it's noticeable and people (not just me!) wonder why they haven't.

Yes, men have to sort out eyebrows! They do around here anyway (NZ). They don't tend to shape them as much as women, but they definitely have to get rid of the bits between the brows.

And chest hair DP is extraordinarily proud of his three chest hairs. Yes, his chest resembles Homer Simpson's head. Anyway, if I ever try to sneakily pluck one he acts all hurt and huffy for ages. He's no fun!

Men have to sort out eyebrows?

I think we've lost the battle on this one. My theory is that equality in hair removal is going to come from all men being required to remove their hair as well. They already have to sort out their eyebrows, ears, noses and back/chest hair. Lots of men I know shave their legs and all sorts of other bits. It's a bit stupid, but at least it's fair!

wave to Akermanis

I didn't know I had a syndrome

I'm a bloke and I shave my pits!! shock horror, I exercise a lot and find it helps with sweaty stink pit syndrome.

Is it just me who shaves my armpits because they get extraordinarily sweaty if I leave the hair to grow?

So for me its more a hygiene than appearance concern.

or am I the only extraordinarily sweaty one on the thread?

Lunchtime visits home to shave your legs?

I do the same as FioFio above.

do what make you happy
i shave my armpits and lowers legs for ME

everything else I don;t do for me as well

i am a woman

I suspect the best thing to aim for is to spend no more time nor money than a man on appearance. I have always found that a pretty good benchmark and you can still look okay for work etc like that.