Hi. To begin with, I’m a heterosexual male (maried, but not too hapily) who just happens to dislike leg hair. I’ve read a lot of threads and finally decided to post. I decided to shave my legs about three years ago so I would look and feel yonger, like I did when I was in grade school. And yes, I sort of felt ‘sissy-like’ for doing it, mainly because of how we’re taught to think by society and media.
But I did anyway and loved the feeling and looks. I’m not what you’d call ‘muscular’ but the lack of hair showed more definition and made me look less scrawny. Besides, I got a great looking tan w/o the leg hair to interfere, (Looks good with white shorts!) I was worried, like other guys here expressed, about how I would be perceived, but I knew it was a risk I’d just have to take.
This is ironic because as a boy I was ‘leg shy’ and would hardly wear shorts, but that’s another story.
Anyway, here are my expriences from the general public. While I don’t know what’s inside each person’s head when (and if) they notice, I can only go on what those have actually said.
For the most part, life seemed to go on normal as before, except I had smooth legs that tanned better, and thus gave me more self-confidence.
The first time anyone said anything was from woman (who was short haired and ‘tomboy’ looking who said “Don’t take this the wrong way but… you have pretty legs!!!” She said it in a sincere tone and not a harrasing one. I felt somewhat embarrassed, but then again, I guess I got what I wanted deep inside.
Months later, another woman asked me if I shaved my legs. I simply said I was a bicycler (haven’t ridden in years) b/c I didn’t want to explain myself, just in case!
In another instance, a woman quietly asked ‘Do you shave?’ I replied, “Naw, I’m just not the hairy type.”
Other times, I got breif lines of ‘nice legs’ all from woman.
One time I’ll never forget was a woman working a guard shack at a parking lot. When I got out of the truck, she said, “Man, you’ve got some nice legs! You shave?” This time, I honestly confessed I shaved because it was summer and felt cooler. Then she said she had been trying to convice her boyfriend to shave his legs but so far, he didn’t want to try it. I jokingly told her to wait 'till he fell asleep to ‘Nair’ him. She laughed and said she might actually so something like that. (She was African-American, along with several others who noted and actually commented on my smooth tanned Caucasian legs. I’m wondering if black women seem more inclined to like shaved men, or at least pay more attention to those around them.)
Another instance in a road-side travelmart, a woman employee nervously said to me “Can I give you a compliment?.. You have nice legs!”
Another instance, a woman said I had ‘pretty legs… like a woman!’ I’m not sure if she thought it was good or bad. But it didn’t bother me in the least.
There were of course other instances similar to these, but they were spread out over time. It’s not like everywhere I go, everyone is staring and evaluating me on how ‘normal’ or ‘strange’ I am. Life has gone on as usual and I’m glad I went hairless on my legs. Although I used to be leg-shy, I now wear shorts all the time except for work and the few other places where it’s not appropriate. (And when it’s too cold) I refuse to wear the fasionable mens shorts that go down past the knee. I wear them about 4-6" above the knee. (I wish those ‘unisex’ gym shorts from the 70’s and 80’s were still acceptable for both male and female. WHen I did wear them, they were comfortable and I thought they looked good on anyone who didn’t have gorilla legs!!!)
Now, as far as other guys go, no one generally has ever said anything. What they think… IF they notice I have no idea.
There are two and-a-half exceptions.
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One ‘redneck’ type whistled, who was standing far away anyhow. I ignored it. It didn’t bother me. Only time it happened.
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One guy asked if I shaved. Once again, I said “I’m just not that hairy” (just in case) Then for some reason he said to me “I’m not gay or anything and ain’t flirting with you… but those are nice legs!”
1/2) THis is only a ‘half’ b/c I’m not sure if it was directed at me or not. There was a car accident near our house several years ago at night. All the people came out of their homes within the block to see what happened. I had left the house in an old short pair of nylon track shorts that were pretty short for a guy. Later, as the crowd discipated, I walked down the sidewalk back toward my home when a clan of teens (boys and girls) walked passed. Among the voices I barely heard “You got pretty legs,” from one of the guys. I don’t know if he was talking to me or one of the girls. They moved on quickly. Doesn’t matter anyway.
Anyway, I read the thread about "Getting used to displaying shaved legs (guywise) " in the emotional issues section. I can definately relate, but the good outweighs the bad. I don’t regret my choice for hairless legs and don’t feel ‘sissy’ in the least. I wish I had done it in my mid-twenties when my leg hair really became noticable.
For women who think male hair body hair is sexy, then more power to you… enjoy your hairy men. Everyone should enjoy that someone that attracts them. For those who think smooth is sexy, I hope your type find me good looking.
Bye for now… great forums here!