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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To go swimming without shaving?

425 replies

ArriettyMatilda · 18/04/2017 21:10

I am not a regular shaver. It's time consuming, occasionally itchy during regrowth and I hate myself for feeling like I have to conform to society's expectations plus I'm lazy I really want to take dd swimming more regularly but I really can't be bothered with maintaining a smooth bikini line and legs.

I am well aware that I wouldn't even be asking this if I was a man, but I can't shake the feeling that someone will be disgusted by my hair. I'm so annoyed that I feel like I have to remove part of my body to become an acceptable member of society.

Would you judge me for having hairy legs and hair around my bikini line? If you don't like shaving what do you wear swimming?

OP posts:
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5
Xenophile · 18/04/2017 22:19

I never shave anything and I swim regularly.

I've found that, for others not to have to see my hairy bits, their best bet is simply not to spend so much time looking for things to judge in others. Doing that tends to mean you don't stay in your swimming lane, which is bloody annoying.

People who get all judgy about other people's bodies tend to be utter wankers in my experience and terribly dull and shallow.

Xenophile · 18/04/2017 22:20

Oh, and to answer your second question, I wear a normal swimming costume. Like everyone else.

Bluntness100 · 18/04/2017 22:21

Gender is irrelevant, no one wants to see some strangers pubes. Pick some swim shorts. Past that no one gives a shit about legs or armpits, but male or female, cover your pubes by wearing appropriate swimwear

And be you male or female, if you went swimming with your pubes hanging out yes I'd negatively judge you for not wearing appropriate swimwear.

Trills · 18/04/2017 22:22

You pube-phobics should take care never go to a French swimming pool.

OvariesBeforeBrovaries · 18/04/2017 22:26

I don't shave. I de-fur my legs if I want that lovely "silky legs on clean pyjamas" feeling but mostly I'm fluffy all over. I just don't wear a super high-waisted cozzy and give precisely zero fucks what anyone says or thinks. If someone thinks I'm weird for not shaving my bikini line, I think they're weirder for staring at my crotch.

nothercupoftea · 18/04/2017 22:27

People who get all judgy about other people's bodies

Hmm nice try, but it's not about the body, it's completely irrelevant if someone is big, small, muscly or fat... just put the hair away. Show some respect for other people and yourself, it's a public pool
Raaaaaah · 18/04/2017 22:27

Just been swimming with unshaved legs and stubbly bikini line. I get straight in the pool and wear a normal swim costume. The kids didn't give me an opportunity to shave this morning and there is no way that I am going to forgo a swim because other people might judge me.

ChaiTeaTaiChi · 18/04/2017 22:29

If people don't like looking at it, they shouldn't look. They can't actually mean "I don't like looking at it so you should shave/wax/whatever", can they? No one would admit to being that much of an arrogant fuckwit, would they?

OvariesBeforeBrovaries · 18/04/2017 22:29

Show some respect for other people and yourself

Unless someone's bikini line is shouting "OI YOU FUCKING CUNT" across the pool, it isn't disrespectful towards you.

ChaiTeaTaiChi · 18/04/2017 22:33

just put the hair away. Show some respect for other people and yourself, it's a public pool

How is my having visible body hair disrespectful to either you or me? Did I miss the memo where we learned that we show respect by getting a Brazilian?
That makes no sense at all.

EBearhug · 18/04/2017 22:34

Just do it

libertydoddle · 18/04/2017 22:35

I really don't think people notice. I swim with DD most weekends. Sometimes i have time to do a quick bikini line trim, sometimes i don't. Short walk from changing room to pool. When i do trim it's just a quick wizz around with an electric shaver, doesn't need to be perfect. I don't check out anyone elses bikini line so why would they be looking at or judging mine?

EBearhug · 18/04/2017 22:37

Meant to add - half the people will be swimming without their glasses and won't see anyway, and people just don't go round staring at other people's crotches anyway.

I went swimming with unshaved legs today, and no one ran screaming from the pool.

peaceloveandbiscuits · 18/04/2017 22:37

"just put the hair away. Show some respect for other people and yourself, it's a public pool"

Just wow.

nothercupoftea · 18/04/2017 22:39

Trust me, I am not trying to look at anything! Grin
If you have no basic hygiene and/or expose your pubic hair to the world, you have no self respect I am afraid. Some things are supposed to stay private.

and don't get me started on weirdos wandering around naked in the changing area, why?!? Put it away.

Leapfrog44 · 18/04/2017 22:41

You should NOT feel that you need to modify your natural body before you can be seen in public just because you are a woman. People will notice and some may judge but why should you care?

It's your body and you are entitled to choose not to shave.

OvariesBeforeBrovaries · 18/04/2017 22:41

If you have no basic hygiene and/or expose your pubic hair to the world, you have no self respect I am afraid.

If you go swimming and stare at people's crotches, you have much bigger problems than self-respect, I'm afraid.

nothercupoftea · 18/04/2017 22:44

You should NOT feel that you need to modify your natural body

I am not asking any man or woman to shave their bikini line, just to cover their private parts and hide their pubic hair. Why is that too much to ask?

Where does it stop? How much pubic hair would be acceptable to have on show when you teach a young children's class? Would a string be acceptable on a teacher, male or female, or a life guard? Why not?

nothercupoftea · 18/04/2017 22:45
  • a thong not a string...
peukpokicuzo · 18/04/2017 22:47

Show some respect for other people and yourself = please don't make me challenge my internalised misogyny by forcing me to think about why darker, wirier hair isn't disgusting when seen on a man's thighs but is when seen on a woman's thighs. Having to apply cognition to those bits of irrational mindset is uncomfortable, feeling uncomfortable promotes anger as a defence mechanism so I will feel that you are being disrespectful.

amaranthie · 18/04/2017 22:50

I probably would notice because it's not something you see every day at the swimming pool but i wouldn't judge you for it. Good on you for not bending to pressure from society.

ChaiTeaTaiChi · 18/04/2017 22:52

Trust me, I am not trying to look at anything! grin

You must be. How else would you be so upset by a few stray hairs on someone else nethers?

Lack of hair does not equal good hygiene either.

LostSight · 18/04/2017 22:53

So glad I live in Norway. So many naked bodies in the changing room. Some are young, some are old, some are pregnant. All are normal. And now I've seen the others, I realise mine is normal too.

nothercupoftea · 18/04/2017 22:54

not thighs peukpokicuzo, crotch. Keep up