OT (sorta): The Leg Shaving Thread

[Nanci]

Can we talk about men shaving now? :-)

I'd still shave if I was the last person on earth. Plus, I'd get to run around naked a lot more!!

[RoadRaven]

Can we talk about men shaving now? :-)

Ummm.... we must have been posting at the same time...

Have three top riders in this house - and none of them shave their legs...

My 17 year old doesn't really need to as his legs are virtually hairless, but my 15 1/2 year old is up for "hairiest legs in the club" and proud of it. And my partner's training partners's wife has offered to wax my partner's legs often.

So sorry Nanci... you won't get the gratification you desire in my house...

[Grog]

Can we talk about men shaving now? :-)

Last weekend, went hiking with a couple of friends, both triathlete, one of them - male - big-time Ironman competitor, but not competing this year for work reasons. My partner is also a big-time triathlete (olympic distance though) and cyclist. Also not competing this year.

We meet the other couple at the trail and sit down to have lunch together. First thing this other guy says to my partner: "I see you're not shavin' either!"

I thought it was the funniest thing.

At the beginning of this season my partner wore his leg warmers for the longest time (even when weather was in the 20C) because he hadn't shaved his legs. Now he's started wearing just shorts but won't shave his legs because he doesn't think he's fit enough yet. (Afraid to look like a poseur.)

The symbolic charge of shaved legs is quite complicated for women, but it may even be more complicated for men!!

[Kimmyt]

The symbolic charge of shaved legs is quite complicated for women, but it may even be more complicated for men!!

That was definitely the idea I was getting from reading this other thread!

I shave only because of societal expectations.

And that's the part that frustrates me the most about the whole situation.

I have to say, of it all, I agree the most with the shaving of armpits thing. Mostly because I have worked as a lifeguard, and having to stick my hands under slimey wet-deoderized furry armpits all day was rather gross. But I really do admire those who don't shave. More as a 'Damn, you go girl' type of thing. One of the coolest things I ever saw: at an area I climb at regularly, once ran across an older couple, maybe 60-70, graying hair on them both and as brown from being out on the rock all day, locals to the area. Her hair was undyed gray as was his hair/long beard. Her pits were long and gray too. They, as a couple, were just so natural, and beautiful. I really admired them, you know, for being who they were. It didn't hurt that they were the cutest little couple ever, obviously having spent so much time together and on the rock that they didn't even need to communicate as they set up their descent.

It was definitely one of those 'damn' moments and I realized I wanted to be that woman when I got older.

[Steph_in_TX]

[QUOTE=Nanci]Can we talk about men shaving now? :-) QUOTE]


Since you asked...dh had been toying with the idea of shaving his legs for some time. I told him I didn't care what he did. He finally did it about four months ago. I'm sold!! There's nothing better than two pairs of smooth legs in the sheets.

[Duck on Wheels]

[QUOTE=Steph_in_TX]

Can we talk about men shaving now? :-) QUOTE]


Since you asked...dh had been toying with the idea of shaving his legs for some time. I told him I didn't care what he did. He finally did it about four months ago. I'm sold!! There's nothing better than two pairs of smooth legs in the sheets.

I actually prefer softly fuzzy to prickly "5 o'clock shadow" on legs, chin, arms ... wherever. Think teddy bear. I mean, I ask you, how cuddly would that be without fuzz? Don't know if I'd even recognize my dh without the full beard.

[DrBee]

My hubby is pretty furry - and I like it! Like Duck said - a teddy bear without hair - nah. To each his/her own, though. I shave - don't know why. I just do. Not everyday, but more often than not. I tried shaving elsewhere when I was younger - no go. That did not work for me.

And as far as makeup and getting ready in the AM goes, I haven't worn makeup for probably 15-20 years. I did wear some when I got married and for the Mardi Gras balls I've attended, but that's it. From alarm going off to walking out the door to work (if no ride or running), it takes me about 30 minutes in the AM. Short hair that barely needs a brush run through it and no makeup makes for a quick prep in the morning.

[margo49]

Wow!
I *never* shaved my legs (which were very hairy). Just thought "Oh.So that"s my body" and carried on regardless. Later I added a feminist ideological tirade to it but always felt superior to my ideological sisters who had up till recently been shavers.

Then in 2003 when Le Tour was riding into Paris I thought "I know how I can celebrate My Life and surviving to see another Tour (ride into Paris)...I'll shave my legs!"
Asked DD (then 14) how and she gave me some Blueberry flavoured foam (I had bought a nice coloured razor on the way home).
Then I watched Eurosport with tears streaming down my face as usual.
Elder DS (then 16) said " About time!", younger DS (then 11) said "What on earth happened to your legs?" and the DSO didn't notice till DD pointedly said "Didn't you notice Mummy's nice legs?"

Now I am hooked on it. Tho' I am not prepared to do it with anything other than a razor. Do it every other day (heard that on a Tour commentary in the same Tour - some viewer asked and David Duffield explained in his inimitable fashion that they "did it every other day")

Under arms I don't do either. Did as a teen then stopped as a Real Feminist . Re-started when I had breast cancer - Thought I was strange enough person and wanted the Dr's to feel more at ease with me. But got a lot of rashes (i guess micro abrasions on an immuno-supressed system) so stopped . Thinking about starting (trying) again this summer
Well, that's all folks
Great fun thread