"Basic Instruction" comic by Scott Meyer. Used without permission while hoping he won't sue my keister.  Click to see full-size version on Scott's website.

Couple of quick reminders about shaving, especially about areas like necks that one doesn't shave every day.

• Don't go over the area five times, especially if you usually don't shave that area or if you shave it only rarely.  Instead, especially if you're shaving an area for the first time in a while, don't go over any patch of skin more than twice in one day.  (Sure, you'll look a little scruffy for 24 hours, but you'll look scruffy with razor bumps too... and for more than 24 hours.)
• Do use a good razor and a good lubricating shaving creme
• Do soak the area in lots of warm water before shaving -- a good time to do it is at the end of a shower or bath after you've soaped and scrubbed, shampooed and creme-rinsed, and are otherwise done.
• Do quickly rinse the area with cold or at least cool water afterwards to close the pores.
• Do pat the area dry rather than doing the whole "vigorous toweling" thing.
• If you're going to shave you'll usually find it easier and less irritating to keep shaving regularly than to do it every couple of weeks or months.
• Oh yeah, and while I completely acknowledge it's easier to say than to do, don't let peer pressure, media representations, or a partner's expectations pressure you into doing something you're not comfortable doing.  Like shaving your neck.  Or other body parts.