(I have not read the entire thread, only the last few posts. I hope I’m not missing something.)
Folks used to ask me why I became an electrologist. I’d tell them: “So I could meet other Italians!” So do certain ethnic groups have more hair? — Well, of course! The other interesting factor, and why I’d subjecting you to yet another long post, is the cultural feelings about hair. For example …
I’m sure everyone in AEA knows our beloved Keiko and Fumio from JSA (Japan). What you might not know, is that Tokyo Beauty Centers have more than 400 “medical spas” in Japan and employ nearly a thousand “electrologists!” So much hair removal in a population with, actually, little hair.
However, the Japanese, I discovered, have a strong aversion to hair — all hair, anywhere. During my first class in Japan (the Numau group), I wanted to have a student remove a few hairs from my arm. She actually refused to touch my arm! She was “grossed out” by my typical “Italian arm.” I kept my sleeves rolled down, from then on.
A large part of JSA business is removing the scant hair on men. Typically, Japanese men only have hair on their lower legs — but, they want this removed! I know every electrologist has experienced the phone call that says: “I have a beard;” only to find a very small amount of blond hair. Conversely, you get the phone call (from an Italian?) that says: “Oh, I just have a few” … and you discover a daunting task ahead.
It’s not just about hair; it’s about how the person (or culture) feels about it.