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 .

[Bunbaker]

I wasn't referring to armpit hair. I feel cleaner with shaved armpits.

[Darksideofthemoon88]

That's why I said 'To me....' - because, whether it's true or not (and, as you'll see, some people on here have said they're sweatier with hair, others without), that's how I see it; I can't imagine feeling clean if I had armpit hair.

[Bunbaker]

"To me, it's tidy, hygenic, and attractive that way"

It isn't more hygienic. That is a myth.

[Darksideofthemoon88]

Personally, I hate body hair....on me. I shave my legs every couple of days even though the hair is blonde and probably can't be seen by anyone else - I hate the feel of it, and I won't expose my legs if I know it's there. I'm the same with my armpits, though the hair is dark and therefore more noticeable. I also remove most of the hair down below. To me, it's tidy, hygenic, and attractive that way - and thankfully DP agrees . However, I'm well aware that much of that is due to social conditioning, as PPs have pointed out. I'm happy doing it, but I do think it's ridiculous that women are expected to be more-or-less hairless in our society, whilst men can grow it as long and wild as they like, wherever they like . All of my friends shave their legs and armpits and, as far as I can remember, I've only ever seen one woman (in the pool) who didn't have shaven armpits. I was a little shocked .

One thing I will say is that those of you who go 'au naturale' in the armpit department will never have to suffer the way I did a few weeks ago.... Must've grazed myself shaving and not realised....then used my usual salt deodorant over the next few days....didn't realise there was a problem until suddenly the grazes dried out and became huge painful red scratches with patches of dry and scaly skin next to them . Took me WEEKS to get them better, and it was amazingly painful.

[kormasutra]

My best friend has never had any hair grow under her arms, as teenagers, I was very jealous!
I have very dark hair but pale colouring and absolutely hate shaving my legs, I only tend to do it when going swimming, maybe once every 4-6 weeks.
My friends are horrified at this, one of them shaves her legs every day.
I do shave underarm very regularly, less so in the winter and as one of my friends says "trims the privets" now and again.
I'm amazed at the lengths some people go to regarding hair removal, they must have a lot of time on their hands:)

[HeyKu]

Cheese I know! Just to clarify, I was sitting on a row of 6 empty seats, the lady who may or may not have been looking at my pits (and I don't mind if she was) was across the way on the opposite aisle on her own empty row of 6 seats. No one else was in the carriage. I was not doing a large theatrical stretch accompanied by a loud wailing yawn, pushing everyone who wasn't even there's faces into their kindles with the sheer weight and force of my pit hair, I stretched in a very ordinary way because I was tired and my back was a bit sore. I was just trying to show context . Glad this thread has freed you of razordom!

[CheeseToastie123]

Stretching on a train is selfish and attention seeking? Bonkers.

This thread has finally confirmed to me that I'll be dandy not shaving my legs any more to go with the furry pits. Hurrah! No more razors!

[Candycrushblahblah]

I say bring the hair back 70's style. Just make sure the collar and cuffs match

[seasavage]

I do shave my pits but not my legs. I don't wear make up (mostly I don't think it makes me look anything other than fake, but over the years I have also become uncomfortable with products on my face).
I am now wondering why I do shave my pits! It is a bit crazy, it hurts, my skin is irritated all the time and often I get cuts where the skin is damaged.
I think it's your body your decision. If I stared it'd be the above thought 'why do I bother'.

[Bunbaker]

Are you totally bald crazylady?

[crazylady321]

Each to their own, I personally cant be doing with hair anywhere shave every morning in the shower, and cream my top lip and facial hair weekly

[Crowen85]

I don't like hairy Pitts sorry! I also think if I leave mine a bit long then I get BO.

[HeyKu]

Glad everything's ok now Japanese! Personally I don't think that anyone should feel guilty for either bowing to social pressure or for being hairy, there's too many guilt-inducing expectations on women and if anyone shaves because they'd feel uncomfortable not to then that's a perfectly reasonable choice. Because it's true, if you don't shave then you will be subjected to judgement that you otherwise wouldn't have. I think one of the reasons why I don't care is because I've always been seen as a little 'quirky' and had a weird family set-up (downright odd to some people). I went to a very image-conscious school where I was picked on (was a teenage goth ) so am used to odd reactions from people. My mum had several issues growing up which everyone knew about so our family was also sidelined. Was bad at the time but it taught me to disregard the opinions of others regarding certain matters.

[JapaneseMargaret]

Thanks Lying and Hey - all fine now!

I completely bow down to the pressure, and have no plans to stop de-hairing, as much as I admire people who do. I would simply feel way, way too uncomfortable to go out in public with hairy legs or pits.

The conditioning is immense.

[TheFillyjonk]

Armpit hair or no armpit hair is a personal preference, I don't see why it warrants comment from anybody else at all.

I think the people saying that other people's body hair is disgusting need to have a little inward look as to why they feel this way. I shave my armpits because I was a victim of social conditioning and now I just prefer them that way. Nothing would change if I didn't.

[HeyKu]

I've also mentioned a couple of times that I did not MIND the lady looking at me, so I am not complaining about the attention either.

[HeyKu]

Erm, Mary seriously? Chill out! I wasn't going for full on theatrics, I never mentioned that anywhere...weird inference to make. Perhaps I should track this poor old lady down and send her an apology note and a bunch of flowers because from certain responses, I've perhaps traumatised her, jeez! And wearing a sleeveless top because it is hot does not mean you want to show off your armpits...it's hot...just as wearing shorts in summer doesn't necessarily mean you want to show off your legs at all, it's because you'd sweat like mad otherwise and be uncomfortable. I asked for people's opinions on armpit hair, not a criticism of stretching on trains. If it bothers you so much, please make your own thread on train etiquette.

[girlwiththegruffalotattoo]

I don't shave. When I stopped a couple of years back it was a big political statement, a conscious "fuck you" to the patriarchy and to the "beauty" industry that makes its money off of telling women their natural bodies are so gross and disgusting they need to spend ridiculous amounts of time and money changing them. Now, though those reasons still exist, I just like it. I like my hairy pits and legs and fanjo :) they look normal to me (they are, of course) and nice, but it took some getting used to. I was very conscious at first when I wore sleeveless tops but I don't think twice now and am often momentarily surprised when I see someone else's shaven armpits before I remember that's what lots of people do! I've never had a partner who disliked the hair and they would be out on their ear if they did ask me to remove it, same as if they'd asked me to go on a diet or wear certain types of clothes or change anything else about myself. Women are most shocked I think, as many literally couldn't imagine not shaving, but I've never personally had any nasty comments. I understand personal preference, as I don't prefer hair on women to removed hair, and quite dislike the 5 o'clock shadow look on pits :D but I can't understand when people have very strong feelings about it. Its hair. I suspect theres much more to it than that though

[Darkesteyes]

I wax my legs and underarms occasionally and thats all i do Ive never even trimmed my pubic hair and i never will.

Im quite hairy and have Italian relatives so my hairiness is hereditary. Back in the late 80s my mum would not let me shave and there were 2 particular girls who made my life hell for 3 years. Calling me gorilla and other nasty stuff.
In the Italian culture back then it just wasnt done. Ive never lived in Italy Ive only lived in the UK. But my DM had trouble leaving the old ways behind. Anyway it was down to culture.

And because it was down to culture ,when i went to the school reunion 3 years ago i was seriously tempted to ask the 2 girls who made my life hell whether they were racist as well as mysogynistic.

[Darkesteyes]

To all those who dont want to see hairy armpits on the tube..............................

I await the change.org petition you are going to start to demand air conditioning on public transport in the summer.

That way it will be cool enough for ppl with body hair to cover up so it doesnt offend your sensibilities.

After all im 100% sure that you wernt expecting ppl with body hair to cover up in hot weather and sweat their guts out to please you.

[NinnyNoodleNoo]

Swearing? I meant sweating ;)

[NinnyNoodleNoo]

Conversely I've found I've had less swearing/odour issues since I stopped shaving and using conventiomal deodorants (I make my own). And yes, I have asked people (including my brutally blunt 20 and 18 year old sons, who are usually covered from head-to-toe in Lynx!)

[ememem84]

I probably would have had a look. But only because I'm too afraid to bare hairy pits myself. Good on you.

[ChunkyPickle]

My armpit hair is lovely and soft like a little baby bunny if I leave it to grow out. My armpits when shaved are sweaty and stubbly and spotty.

I recently shaved them to take the kids swimming, and remembered how much I hated it. So sod it. Next time I go swimming I shan't bother. Let people stare. Legs too.

It's natural and normal on me, and I don't see why I should be ashamed by my own, normal body.

[KoalaDownUnder]

(And I'm virtually hairless myself, btw; just have some very soft, light, sparse hair on my legs and can get away without shaving for weeks. But I'm aware that not everyone is like that, and am certainly not offended by other people's hairy limbs.)