Another entry in the perennial shaving debate
Red at Red Sneaker Diaries, who usually writes fiercely erotic posts, has a nice public service announcement about the limits of shaving body hair as a personal expression.
I understand what you’re doing - I really do. I get it - it’s an expression of individuality. To some - hey I’ll admit it - maybe that’s cool. But holy hell - is it ever not hot to me.
The thing is, when you spoke to me, it wasn’t your buttery voice I noticed. Your silky words didn’t crawl up and down my spine; my skin didn’t goosebump at the cool edge in your words. In fact, though I was looking at your beautiful face I couldn’t see it - I failed to note your plump and inviting lips, I overlooked your devastatingly dashing jawline and I certainly managed to ignore your crisp, inviting eyes. All I could see was that overly groomed monstrosity on your chin.
In most modern societies body hair is a fashion statement no matter how, or even whether, we shave. Some cultures and religions say everything off below the eyebrows. Others say touch nary a hair above the neck. Some subcultures deem luxurious body hair an expression of natural beauty. Others think it's all like "are you going to get that stuff in the *pool,* dude?" And still others, as among certain South Americans of European descent, hairy legs, armpits, and pubes are a racist expression of superiority over those of native descent who tend to have sparse body hair.
All well and good. But as Red points out there are limits to any fashion beyond which one's distinctiveness (or, alternately) conformity begins to interfere with people's ability to, well, distinguish you from your fashion decisions.
Each to his or her own. I happen to like some facial hair. And I like a hairy chest too. Where, oh where, in the book of rules does it say that hair growing naturally from a person's body must be shaved off. If they want too, fine. If they want to let it grow, I'll still buss him.
[Fortunately there aren't any books of rules... um, check that, I should say all the different books of rules are utterly inconsistent, especially when looked at decade to decade and culture to culture. But yeah, for every person who likes their partner hairy there's another who won't have anything to do with him or her... and vice versa. And, again, even for the same partner times change. As Oscar Wilde said, "Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months." Good point, though yeah, obviously some of us aren't as afflicted by fashion's dictates as others. Thanks, DFP. --fl]
Facial hair? Depends on the face. Some faces look better with some facial hair. Others don't.
I have a couple of very good friends. They, however, both happen to lack chins. One has a well-groomed goatee. The other a well-groomed beard. Both look horrible without them. But with them... oh so much more tasty.
So.. it all depends. Depends on the person. Depends how well they take care of it.
[I know what you mean, Quilzas. A friend of mine, an uber-charismatic bartender in the hottest music bar in town, changed jobs and had to shave his luxurious 70's era beard. Even he'd forgotten he had no chin at all. He said his wife of several years cried for a week. Yikes! Thanks! --fl]
Grooming is important - but so is being yourself and not having to construct some sort of image.
Thanks for the mention!
[Yup. The point is to enhance, not replace, your personality. Thanks, Red. --fl]
I usually like a little hair on my men, but I'm dating a guy who has absolutely no chest hair. I mean, none. And while it was a little weird at first, sure, well, I wouldn't trade him for a fuzzier version:)
And while he happens to like that I'm one of those "no hair below the eyebrows" type of people (well, except my arms) ... he knows it's because it's my preference, not his.
[Yup, it really is up to the individual, until it starts to really interfere with their actual individuality anway. But not likely to happen to you, WG. Thanks. --fl]
LOL! Great post by Red
I don't really mind, but it certainly shapes your face and for some people it certainly will interfere with their ability to get laid. Whatever floats your boat though
[And of course it's not just about men shaving their faces. Some people's waxing decisions seem equally distracting. Thanks, Dana. --fl]