Getting used to displaying shaved legs (guywise)

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#1

Hi, I’m a guy and I’ve read this forum for some time, and have gained a lot of really good tips and advice. I went from partially shaving, to full, most of body, shaving, to using a rotary epilator. I plan on getting an Emjoi Optima for it’s speed and quiteness probably in a week or so. Spending the $100 dollars or so is really nothing compared to the $180 a month I spent to get waxed a few times. Anyway, I have a quiestion.

As bad as it bugged me to have it there, because it seemed so silly and self-concious, I used to leave a portion of hair unshaved from my knees to my ankles, so I could wear shorts without taking flak from passing comments. Well, now I just said heck with it. It’s my life, I’ll do what I want. I’m gonna have the fully smooth tanned legs I want to have. So now when I wear shorts with socks, and baggy long ones at that, people see pretty quickly that my legs are smooth and tanned. Slowly, I’m beginning to wear shorts to more and more places, and I pretty much expect getting mixed comments. My question is; did it take you guys a while to get used to letting your legs be seen in public? Even if it’s just eight or so inches of your lower leg? I mean, is this a gradual thing that takes some time, or did you just go everywhere with newly shaved legs on the first day you did it? I’d really like to know, because it was huge, huge thing for me to just go to a small store eight miles from my house or to get out of my car to use an ATM machine.

Fulfilling my own wishes to have my legs like this has really made me think about things. About how much effort it takes women to keep up appearances that men pretty much expect due to the media that surrounds us, of how, despite I am completely heterosexual, people on the street put the “gay” label on guys with smooth legs. Yet all these women stare at the men in magazines as desireable that have the same smooth legs. Of how it must be for a woman who doesn’t want to shave her legs to go out in public, displaying her natural self. Of how men can get all sorts of strange tattoos and piercings, can wear kilts, can put mousse all over their hair, yet when a guy says “I want to remove the hair from my legs” It’s absolute chaos. It’s not like I got a boob job or anything! Anyway, I would just like to know.

#2

I know a guy with legs so naturally smooth that women get jealous, so leg hair spans a huge spectum. I will trim mine because it gets long, but I don’t care for the way it looks really short. It’s all preference. Bodybuilders are typically shaved, it’s part of the culture. Since male leg hairs are stronger and thicker, shaving might look more stubbly than a woman’s legs and make it more obvious. If I wanted no leg hair I would wax or nair so to draw less attention.

You are seeing that men are feeling pressure to achieve a higher standard of beauty, just like women feel. But there is a stigma attached to male beauty too. It’s a catch 22 and it can’t be won. Attitudes are changing slowly and all you can do is choose whose opinion you care about and whose you don’t. The “gay” jabs made by men are typically a power trip anyway and those guys drop it fast when confronted.

#3

I do not worry about what people may say… I remove hair for my reasons, not to please/disgust others… I honestly don’t think about it at all, and I wear shorts all year around… Smooth arms are cool too… People notice, but they never say much, maybe because I am 6’ 6" and 220lbs of grain-fed beef… LOL

I think the person who notices most is a friends wife, who has a hairdresser/beauty/waxing/tanning business… she probably wonders why I don’t go to her shop… It is the fact that I know her… So sure, being waxed by people you know may be embarrassing, but apart from that… walk tall and proud… some insecure men may have issues with what is basically none of their business anyway, but most women will appreciate you care enough to make that effort… Last time I was waxed, they were telling me about this biker who came in for a back waxing, so his tattoos would be more visible, but they reckon he was almost crying at the end… what a wuss!

You will be surprised that most people will not even notice, unless you are trying on a pair of shoes, the sales assistant will not notice…

I have found that, like being tall, people can tend to point out the obvious… you need to have a couple of good comeback lines…

“Well, at least I ain’t going to be mistaken for a primate, chimp boy”… or " well, I know my hair will grow back, it looks like that fluff on your face has been there since you were 16… " and of course “when your opinion has some value to me, I will start listening…”

Really, don’t worry about it… you have stressed about getting rid of the hair, no don’t stress about the ‘obvious’ results… work on your tan, and you will be looking great, and that is why people will be jealous… So many people out there who are forty, fat and furry… I can’t help being 40, but the fat and furry parts are within my control…

Good luck,

David

#4

IHH, thanks for that reply, it did me good to realize most people just plain don’t even notice. After pushing myself to go to places like Wal-Mart and the like, I find nobody really cares, and when they do notice, they back off if one projects confidence and seems comfortable with themselves. Now it’s really nothing, and I feel great. I feel so much better than when I felt the entire world was staring at me, it was just a huge dose of over-self-conciousness because it was a big thing in my mind. Now I bring a change of clothes to work and change into cargo shorts as soon as I leave work. I epilate, I don’t shave, I really don’t care much for that super-smooth exfoliated shaved feel. I like the “seal skin” kind of smooth appearance that epilating gives. Being as smooth as I want to be also encourages me to exercise more regularly, eat better, have a higher opinion of myself, and just live plain healthier.

As for comeback lines, yes, I’ve got a good reserve of them that stops comments cold. Sad, but sometimes they’re necessary to use.

Thanks

Also, I shouldn’t use the word “displaying”. It makes me seem like I’m standing in a storefront glass window. I just mean wearing shorts, exposing leg areas that have had hair removed.

#5

Well done…

It is a good feeling to feel good about yourself… and to be encouraged to be healthier… YOu will be getting looks now, but only because your skin and general health and energy levels will be better than your age-peers… People will be jealous and wonder how you look younger…!

Glad you got over that hump…, now enjoy!

David

#6

Hi Mantaray & IHH

I read your posts with interest, because I was also a bit self concious a couple of years ago when I first shaved my legs and wore shorts in public. It took me a while to realise that people were not actually staring at my shaved legs, but rather the muscle definition and sun tan that I had. I live in the eastern end of johannesburg, South Africa and many guys here shave their legs for cycling as it is a big sport in this part of town.

I have said previously on this forum that it actually took quite a while for my immediate family to notice. It really is not a big issue at all. As we have all come to realise, men with low self confidence are the only ones to comment and also the only ones too shy to try something different.

I have only ever had one case where a guy actually looked me up and down and made a comment. He was about 48, 5ft 6 or so, and shaped like a pear. I am 6ft tall, 34 years old and quite athletic. It took one good hard stare too make him regret the comment.

Around here even the high school kids consider it “uncool” to have hairy legs and they are quite proud in 3/4 shorts with shaved legs. Nothing unusual.

There is no “gay” issue anymore about men shaving their legs. This is normal, part of everyday life, and makes one feel fit and healthy. I sit in my favorite bar and slug a good few beers with my friends, in shorts, with my shaved legs, and no one says a thing or even looks at me in a funny way.

All I am trying to say here is we all need to RELAX and lead our lives as we all wish too. Life is too short to worry about others misconcieved percepcions. Shave and be proud of it!

Good Luck
Stuart

#7

Mantaray,

Most people don’t notice other guys’ smooth legs. Most straight guys don’t look at other guys’ legs, some gay guys would pay attention to smooth legs, but won’t say anything.

I waxed my legs sometime, and I never had any comments about that. Most people think other guys are gay if they have smooth armpits.

#8

Hi Ants

Smooth armpits are not a choice we have as you say - most gay guys are not actually interested in hair or not. I have a good friend who is gay and we went to high school together. He dosen’t shave his body at all, wears 2 days worth of beard stubble, and is hairier by far than me. It doesn’t interest him whether I shave my legs or not, as his sexuality is his interest only.

Smooth legs etc. are far more common today than even 5 years ago, and my experiance with my friend above proves that gay men are not really concerned with the habits of straight guys today.

I suppose that nobody really cares about what we do in terms of apperance as long as they are not affected. I can’t fault this, and hope the rest of the world can appreciate this viewpoint.

Thanks & Regards
Stuart

#9

Stuart: How is shaving the underarms for males accepted where you live? In California I think it is becoming the cool thing.

#10

I suppose that nobody really cares about what we do in terms of apperance as long as they are not affected. I can’t fault this, and hope the rest of the world can appreciate this viewpoint.

That’s true.
People nowadays just don’t comment on other people’s appearance that much. Many (straight) guys shave themselves (arms, armpits, legs) particularly those body builders.

As for myself, I don’t like having armpit hair myself, so I have them removed. And I did notice a few guys having a slight strange look at my armpits, but they never bothered to say a word.

#11

Ants: I am glad you like removing your armpit hair. I don’t know if you do it by shaving or not. Try waxing and the feel is 3 times as good as the feel from shaving. After that you will do what I did and that is to get it permanently removed by electrolysis. You will never regret that permanent smooth look and feel. The best part is that most girls will love you for doing it.As far as guys commenting on it, most have told me that they always wanted to shave their underarms;but were afraid of being thought of as a geek. After seeing me some then also started shaving or had a friend wax the hair out.This forum helps men get the courage to do what they always wanted to do with hair removal.

#12

These are some good posts on the subject and I read them with equal interest. That’s so true as mentioned above that the vast majority of gay guys don’t shave anything; they’re just gay by orientation and usually dress and act in their own manner. The gay guys I run into know full well I’m not gay. The girls in my life know I’m not gay. But I don’t know where some of these guys get any basis on putting the gay label on those that do remove body hair. They can say it’s just not natural for a man to do that, but women naturally have hair too. Who says it’s natural for women to remove body hair? I DO agree, everybody looks better with their fur removed, but there are those out there that follow these imposed invisible social “conventions” like some kind of religion, and of course, it’s irritating when they impose them on us.

About who notices what, I think IHH posted a good answer on that, but from what I’ve noticed some women can notice it at lightning speed, whether they reveal it or not, and they usual don’t let on to the fact that they noticed. Regular guys on the otherhand, may never notice at all. My hair cutter noticed it at such lightning speed as I was getting out of my vehicle that I was really amazed. But then again, she also waxes for a living and notices things like that (she waxes my back and sells Tend Skin, $16.00 for the small bottle). What I find most women do is then look up into your face/eyes to learn more about you. I’ve had a chance to break the ice with lots of nice women becuase of this, and actually, the number of women I’ve had a chance to meet because of this uniqueness has increased exponentially. Do I want to go back to having plain hairy legs? No chance, HA!

I see body hair as a leftover from environmental evolution, like the appendix, coccyx, or tonsils, removing it is all the better. We have clothes and temperature controlled living quarters now. To put any social significance or social orientation on the fact that a member of society wants to leave on hair or remove it is just outdated thinking, without reason, and imposing into the lives of others. …Everybody go get a razor.

Mantaray

#13

I should have pointed out that I am gay, although I like smooth armpits, but I won’t go for smooth legs. And I have my armpits removed by laser and electrolysis.

#14

Hi Barrester

I only trim my armpits because shaving them itches too much. To answer your question, I must admit that nobody I have come across notices smooth armpits here in SA. I think I am very lucky to live in a big sporting town where hair removal is normal. I have read some other posts and I agree that hair is just an hangover from evolution. Soon the world won’t consider male hair removal unusual at all and I can see here that this is already the case.

South Africa has been traditionally conservative in the recent past, but now we are very open in all respects and body hair removal where I stay is perfectly normal. Most guys do this and we have a lot of cyclists in my area, so I would go as far as to say that if you are hairy and overweight here you might be regarded as a sissy. Shaved legs, armpits, chests etc. seem to be the sexy thing now for most people. California is probably the same as our climate is similar and people are quite open to new things there as well from what I remember.

Best regards
Stuart

#15

I’ll jump in again with the following…

Firstly, the smooth look prejudice a few years ago did not originate with the gays… sure, they were into shaving, waxing etc, but to look after themselves, or be better groomed… they were no the ones telling other smooth guys that they were also gay cause of their desire for hair removal… it was insecure heterosexuals with a big gay issue that were the most likely to throw accusation of someone being gay because of shaved legs…

I an 6’ 5", athletic enough for my age, but 20 years ago, when I was younger and better looking, I had gay guys trying to pick me up in Sydney (where I lived in Paddington was the border of the Gay district) whether I had hair or not…

I am secure enough to know I do it for my reasons… tattoos and body piercings are weird if you ask me, not hair removal…

and yes Barrester, I wax my underarms, there is no sensation like it, and the look is great, esp. if you have big arms with big square shoulders - nothing wimpy or un-manly about that…

Overall, I think it shows that you care enough about yourself and grooming to go to the extra effort… I see so many guys who could use a good back or shoulder waxing, but it doesn’t worry them… Their issue… People will see that I exercise more options to go one stage more and keep myself cleaner, more comfortable, and better looking over all… The same as people see you make an effort to keep fit, not get the middle age spread… or get pasty white skin… or big yellow curly toenails… <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Regards,

David

#16

Yes quite correct IHH.

As far as shaving my legs go, I think of this as my most normal appearence. It looks clean and I feel well groomed after shaving. Because of my light coloured hair I think smooth legs suit my appearance. Generally one does not associate blonde haired guys with dark hairy legs, so I have become very comfortable physically and socially by being smooth. I have had many compliments on my leg muscles from quite a few women and it was interesting that none of them remaked about shaving - it was accepted as the norm to show off a good body.

What was also interesting was that my mother of all people (and she is very conservative) suggested yesterday during a long overdue visit, that I make an appointment for electrolysis because the smooth look is good on me. Wow the world is changing!

Anyway gay people never started the smooth look thinking from what I have experienced as you correctly said. I have had a few “admiring” glances from guys who I assumed were gay, but who cares? Actually it’s a compliment in a way I suppose.

Hair is here to go from now on! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Stuart

#17

There is an association between shaving and the “high gay” look of drama queen gays who obsess about looks and want to look feminine, which is invariably made by clueless heterosexual men <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Shaved men have never looked feminine to me. Some of the toughest, burlyest guys I’ve know have been called wusses, so whatcha gonna do??? Shaving is such a non-issue with gay guys that it’s hilarious, it is the straight fat old guys you have to worry about!

#18

There is nothing feminine about shaving your legs or other areas of your body. Like it has been said above, the overweight couch potatoes are the only ones to possibly hold that viewpoint. Whether you shave for sport or just for the better look, it’s perfectly normal.

Stuart

#19

I don’t think I could appear in public anymore with hairy legs, because I am so used to having them shaved. My skin is so used to shaving now that there is absolutly no sign of razor bumps, which I think is why my legs look perfectly normal shaved. More and more guys are doing this where I live.
I don’t look at guys legs for any sexual reason, but because of my interest in this forum, I am curious to watch the trend changing. Some of this I think is also due to fashion. As knee lenght and now 3/4 shorts are more popular amoung younger men, I think it’s more fashionable to shave off the hairs on the lower legs. These trousers are usually worn with “secret” or no show socks and hairiness on the lower legs actually looks a bit stupid when dressed like that.

Most young men in their twenties shave their legs around here now, I would say well more than half of these guys. A great deal of athletic fit men in their thirties like me have also adopted this look permanently. It only really seems men over forty still stick to hair on their legs, even tough there are exceptions in all age groups.

As I mentioned before the teens are very much into this. Yesterday as I was mowing my pavement grass, 5 young guys about 17 or so walked past all wearing Bermudas (by the way its really hot here now, we are having a heat wave and everybody is wearing shorts and t-shirts even to work in a lot of cases), but to return to my original point 3 out of these 5 teens had smoothly shaved legs with a deep tan. The other two looked sickly by comparison. So the trend is definitly there amoung the younger generations.

I belive this is a normal progression into the future and will concern all men reasonably shortly. As I said on another good thread realated to the future of hair removal, I agree that it will be a multi-billion dollar industry - and I now think quite soon for the guys. All of the above may just be because of where I live and perceptions here, but I don’t belive so. After all why should men here be any different from anywhere else like the US? After all we have much the same culture in SA.

Possibly certain countries with habits of covering their bodies totally will not move this way soon, but I think most westernised nations will see this change. Anyway I hope my observations will help prevent embarresment amoung men towards shaving and going out in public.

All the best for the new year to all the forim members.
Regards
Stuart

#20

…Thanks for your post Stuart. I read and appreciate your comments. I frequently will return to this thread. It’s kind of like ‘recharging’ if you will. I like reading these voices of reason. We’re kind of like forerunners, and it’s always toughest on those at the front.

Mantaray