A startling tidbit from ThatGirl:

Home from the bar at 4AM— turned down a veiled offer of sex, but he’s a great friend— plus I haven’t shaved. [emphasis mine]

The reasonable side of me wants to acknowledge that the story about needing to
shave was way to diplomatically decline sex with a friend. The unreasonable
side of me says "NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! BAAAAAAD EXCUUUUUUUSE!!!!"

I don’t have the reference at my fingertips so I don’t remember the exact
figures, but according to a snippet in a recent issue of Women’s Health
Magazine, the number two reason for turning down sex with a man you’re very
attracted to is "haven’t shaved/waxed lately." The number one reason is no condoms and/or birth control. At least from a man’s perspective, one of these two reasons is not like the other one!

Think about it! Most men at least claim willingness to crawl miles through parched deserts, to swim shark-infested waters, or wrestle their weight in anything except angry bees to win fair lady.

While the sentiment may be a bit far from the reality of what men are willing to do, there’s no question that like most men, ThatGirl’s friend would probably gouge out his own eyes if he learned a little bit of stubble — her stubble, not his! — was all that kept her from falling into his arms.

The bottom line isn’t that men aren’t going to notice or that we’re all such Neanderthals that we don’t care what condition you’re in as long as we can fuck you. It’s more that we appreciate the contingencies that go along with spontaneity.

It would be one thing if a woman or a man showed up bristly-chinned or pubis’d for a long-planned date where there was some expectation that you might wind up in bed. It’s something entirely different if you’re just out and about, something spontaneous happens, and you’re caught a little off guard.

Tip #1: All you have to say is something like "I haven’t been thinking
about sex for weeks, and I certainly didn’t expect to run into you this
evening, but for some reason I want to do something with you right now." then stubble is only going the spontaneity more authentic. He’ll be too flattered, and possibly stunned, to care.

Tip #2: I think because most men constantly have to deal with shaving we might be more open to the idea of touching up on the fly. Since there’s no reason women shouldn’t enjoy the same benefit let me recommend the perfectly delightful, lightweight Braun 370 Pocket Twist Battery-operated shaver.

It’s tiny, comfortable, inexpensive, and shaves almost as well as a foam-and-razor razor. Quite a few men have this or something like it in their desk, glove compartment or briefcase for a quick tune-up if they’re going straight out after work.

The only downside — admittedly a big one — is that it buzzes, and vibrates for that matter, like a small vibrator. That’s fine in a public restroom if you’re shaving your chin in the mirror, but probably not so hot if you’re shaving elsewhere.

Update: Based on a comment from Carol I ought to clarify that I’m not saying one should or shouldn’t shave. I’m just saying that if you sometimes do but haven’t lately you shouldn’t stress about it.