Hi:

It seems to come down to the same old argument over worrying or caring what others might think of you if you shave your legs or other body parts.

I had to overcome that plus a whole lot more. If I got hung up on what others think I would have had a miserable life, which I did for many years.

I am a TS, and people are afraid of me because they don't understand it. But, this is who I am and I had to come to terms with it for my own sanity. We have to live our lives to be happy. If shaving your legs makes you happy then do it
because that makes you happy. You don't have to answer to the perceived thoughts of others. Many times it is just our own fears getting the best of us.

As for women liking or disliking shaved legs? Some like it some don't. Most women like a guy who is his own man however
and does not dance to the dictates of others as far as appearance, confidence, etc..

Alicia

Hi Italianguy and Alica! You're so right in your posts that we shouldn't get hung up on what others think and let them control our lives--after all, we do have one life to live and we should do what makes us happy and not worrying about getting everyone's approval. I mean there's so much crap going on in the world, what difference does it make if a man shaves his legs or another part of his body? What does bother me though is whether it would turn off women--my ex-girlfriend didn't like the smooth look but it wasn't the reason for our breakup. I can't understand this but maybe, it's the "brainwashing" that society has put into people's heads. On the other hand, I had an Austrian girlfriend who DIDN'T shave her armpits and it didn't bother me. Lots of women in Austria/Germany don't shave their pits and it wasn't an issue for me. What do you think it would take to get "mainstream" society to accept an individual's choice in how hairy they want to be.

Stuart and some others mentioned in an earlier post the medical advantages of smooth legs when in malarial areas or with the dangers of ticks. I couldn't agree more--when exercising in the summer, who needs all that thick sweaty and matted hair? It really bothers me and the smooth look is so much better for an active lifestyle.

Sadly, it's much easier said than done to not worry about what other people think.

I have had laser hair removal on my chest and they are trying to sell me to do my forearms (and it's not a sales pitch). I do think that hair on the forearms and a bare chest look odd (I've had others tell me it doesn't) - but I think a consistent look makes it look less obvious that I've had any body hair removed.

I also know people who have been told the chest and arms should be consistent.

My only real reason for not having the forearms done is concern what others will think. I still think there are women that think it's not masculine. I understand men who are concerned.

As far as legs go, at this point, I don't see a need - but I understand why some men do it.

What's sad is, people I know who have removed body hair - say it is much more comfortable for them - and that is what some women may not understand about men.

There are quite a few women who don't shave their arms, so I think that is less of a femininity issue.

To me it doesn't make sense to have a hairless chest and hair on the arms.

If you have any muscular development on your arms at all, removing the hair from them will make them look noticeably bigger. That's reason enough to lose the hair. And you don't have to have the arms of a competitive bodybuilder to realize the benefit.

RJC2001

I'll say to you what I always say: no one will notice if you shave your forearms. I think it looks much more consitent and natural if your chest is shaved and your legs are shaved to shave your arms. Also your pits. I've shaved my arms for years, and only this week did a nurse mention it, but she was examining them very closely for a test. I think that is the only time anyone has every directly mentioned any part of me was shaved. I know you might feel funny about it, but people don't notice. Also, my pet theory is men shouldn't shave the same places women do (legs and pits), so arms are OK, as are chest and back. Pubes are a kind of unisex area. This is my own theory.

People say that hairy pits are a "Man" thing. That is stupid, as obviously women have just as much hair there as men. It must be that women shave it, not that they have it, that makes it effeminate to shave there. Same with legs. I don't think many women shave their arms, other than bodybuilders. Many should, but few do.

Actually I have never or currently have plans to shave my legs. This is more of an issue about chest and forearms.

I've talked to some people who mention armpits for men. I agree that may be more comfortable - but it doesn't look good IMHO - and I think you have to think about vanity a little bit.

I wouldn't say I have the most muscular arms (and not a ton of hair) - but I did try removing the hair twice and they do look better and cleaner and no one said anything.

I just find it looks odd to have a bare chest and hair on the arms - only because to me - it highlights that the chest is likely shaved or waxed.

You think armpit hair looks good?

I wouldn't say it looks good - but unless you are shirtless or wearing a tank top, who sees it. I just think it may look odd for a man to have bare armpits.

I don't necessarily think hair looks good either...

Hi Hairfreeincalifornia:

No one said it is easy to overcome the fear of caring what others think of you. But it is possible, as I have been able to do it in order to be myself.

You really have the choice of living your life as you feel comfortable, or conforming and compromising yourself just in case someone else may not like your appearance.
It is not easy if you feel as I used to, that people might laugh at you or ridicule you.

Courage is something you develope one step at a time, but you need to take that first step first and dare to face that fear. More often than not the fear is unfounded.
But if someone thinks going hairless is effeminate, maybe they need to mind their own business and "get a life".
If you have courage to be yourself, then you have something that most of these sheep never have. You should be proud of yourself.

With pride comes confidence, and most women admire a confident man. Some women like hair, and some don't. You don't need every woman in the world to like you, just that special one. It is like the old saying says; "It's what's inside that counts". Just be yourself! Be proud!

Alicia

HairFree, Lots of men shave their pits, it is getting very common. In the gym I workout in I'd say the majority of men who wear sleveless tops shave under their arms. Truthfully, seeing sweaty hairy pits refleced in all those mirrors is just gross, whereas smooth lats are very attractive. On a muscular guy, the armpit area when shaved reveals all the muscles there, and is very sexy looking.

In terms of consistency, a smooth chest and hairy armpits doesn't really go together, especially if you shave your arms as well. I know that many men find their hairy armpits "manly", but that is clearly misguided as women have just as much pit hair as men, there is nothing about pit hair that is masculine at all, other than not shaving it. And, that isn't really masculine, there are women who don't shave under their arms.

If I preferred them shaved, I'd do it and not worry in the least about what others think. As you said, most people will never know whether or not you shave your pits. It is much more comfortable, try it and see.