Do you (guys) or your man (ladies) groom his pubes?

[Omar Little]

I know there has always been trends among women in grooming themselves down below, but based upon my unofficial observation polls at the gyms there is an increase in man-grooming.

I'm wondering if there is a trend based upon age.

See the poll.

Please feel free to include details...nicely trimmed, cleanly shaven, black forest.

[Contrapuntal]

See the poll.
Do I have to close my eyes?

[Dog80]

I don't shave but I trim them. I also trim my armpits. I do it mainly for the sweat/odor. Also it makes my little pal look bigger ;)

[breaking-reality]

I'll just go by my experience with my last ex, who trimmed his.

[Superfluous Parentheses]

So what exactly is grooming?

[Oredigger77]

I keep it trimmed for the optical inch but I screwed up in the poll and didn't notice the ages so one of the <25s needs to get bumped a category.

[Chimera]

Trim pubes and armpit. Not shave, not shape, just trim for length.

[corkboard]

I keep my pubes trimmed to about 1/4". And by "pubes", I'm referring to the hair on the pubic area, which starts at the top/base of my shaft where it meets my abdomen-area. Everything below that line gets shaved bare, weekly. I've been doing this for about 2 years and am 42. It started because my wife was complaining about the longer hairs on my nutsack, and getting them stuck in her mouth. When I started, I just trimmed them as long as the pubes, but then she said they were too bristly on her tongue. So now I'm hairless down there and loving it.

[GESancMan]

I keep my pubes trimmed to about 1/4". And by "pubes", I'm referring to the hair on the pubic area, which starts at the top/base of my shaft where it meets my abdomen-area. Everything below that line gets shaved bare, weekly. I've been doing this for about 2 years and am 42. It started because my wife was complaining about the longer hairs on my nutsack, and getting them stuck in her mouth. When I started, I just trimmed them as long as the pubes, but then she said they were too bristly on her tongue. So now I'm hairless down there and loving it.

I've seen this mentioned before, and it absolutely mystifies me. How exactly does one go about shaving their balls?! It isn't at all a smooth surface, and... I have no problem scraping a razor over my jugular, but my balls? Are you kidding me?

38, never trimmed/shaved anything below the neck.

[tdn]

I've seen this mentioned before, and it absolutely mystifies me. How exactly does one go about shaving their balls?! It isn't at all a smooth surface, and...

It is if you stretch the skin out over your balls. Then it's pretty easy.

[Broomstick]

I know there has always been trends among women in grooming themselves down below
Really?

Because, other than showering, I don't recall this being a feature of my youth and young adulthood. Then again, I am getting old enough to be "hag" or "crone" and lack of sculpting was just so mid-20th Century hippie.

My husband does not "groom" his pubes. He did set his short hairs on fire once but it was not intentional and I'm pretty sure that's not what you meant. (Also happy to report no harm done. And that's when I bought him a fire extinguisher for his home office)

[kayaker]

The last time I did some manicuring down there, my gf noticed the results and asked that I leave it alone. Kind of odd, as she gets her lawn care done by professionals (and a fine job they do!), but who am I to argue?

[Shark Sandwich]

I keep my pubes trimmed to about 1/4". And by "pubes", I'm referring to the hair on the pubic area, which starts at the top/base of my shaft where it meets my abdomen-area. Everything below that line gets shaved bare, weekly. I've been doing this for about 2 years and am 42. It started because my wife was complaining about the longer hairs on my nutsack, and getting them stuck in her mouth. When I started, I just trimmed them as long as the pubes, but then she said they were too bristly on her tongue. So now I'm hairless down there and loving it.

This.

Without the visual.

41 years old.

[breaking-reality]

Kind of odd, as she gets her lawn care done by professionals (and a fine job they do!), but who am I to argue?

Really? I can't imagine letting anyone I'm not intimate with get that close to my girly bits, let alone with scissors or wax. *cringe*

[bup]

It is if you stretch the skin out over your balls. Then it's pretty easy.The thought still makes me whimper.

[Bearflag70]

So what exactly is grooming?

parting on the left

[Superfluous Parentheses]

parting on the left

Sure it's not just picking the fleas out?

I'm only half kidding.

[tdn]

The thought still makes me whimper.

It's really not that bad. And shaving balls is way easier (and less frightening) than shaving shaft. That's a little trickier.

The worst thing is when I've done it for a while and then decide to stop. Stubble down there gets really uncomfortable.

[corkboard]

In the two years that I've been shaving my balls, I have nicked them with the razor a total of zero times. In the same timeframe, I've nicked my face more times than I can count. It helps to do it at the end of a nice hot shower, and I usually lather them up w/soap before I start. Easy peasy lemon squeezy.

[Cyningablod]

34 years old. Trim (w/clippers). Done so since I was a lad of about 14 (except the Army years, when doing so would have been...well, I won't go there).

As for pits, those I shave (again, with clippers, not a razor). Not only is it more attractive (I think), but it makes anti-perspirant/deodorant work better.

[Todderbob]

I'll do a trim, once and a while. Only if I think it's necessary.

If no one is visiting, though, why bother maintaining the garden?

[Baby Driver]

A question for guys/girls in the know:

My boyfriend is au naturale down there. I don't really have a preference, but I asked him once in conversation if he'd ever thought about trimming and he seemd perplexed. He's naturally pretty hairy (about as much as Mr. Acuminate (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cf/Abdominal_hair_patterns_cmg.gif)), and think it'd look weird if his pubic hair was short and the rest of his body hair wasn't.

Is he right? I've been with a couple guys who shave their pubes, but neither of them had body hair to speak of. He's an easy-going guy and would probably let me scape him in the interest of scientific inquiry, but I'd rather not put him through it if he's likely to look ridiculous.

[AHunter3]

This has become a truly hairophobic society.

[Antinor01]

I keep trimmed. Have full shaved before but didn't like that as well.

[Really Not All That Bright]

I trim with a beard grooming doodad. Shaved bare once. Never again. *shudder*

[Tamerlane]

Weird the social blinders we develop about certain things.

I'm way on the low end of the macho scale. Typical Berkeley progressive/liberal ( but non-hippie ) in a number of respects. But for some reason my kneejerk view is that males trimming/shaving their pubes is incredibly, overwhelmingly effeminate. It seems strange to me.

But then again I'm middle-aged ( 42 ) and I was never terribly on board with the whole women shaving their pubes thing, either ( even though underarm shaving was already becoming the norm when I was in my formative years ). Though I got used to that one.

So, nope. No grooming here. But I promise to try to mentally recalibrate my neanderthal views on the topic :).

[Really Not All That Bright]

My boyfriend is au naturale down there. I don't really have a preference, but I asked him once in conversation if he'd ever thought about trimming and he seemd perplexed. He's naturally pretty hairy (about as much as Mr. Acuminate (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cf/Abdominal_hair_patterns_cmg.gif)), and think it'd look weird if his pubic hair was short and the rest of his body hair wasn't.
Don't think so. I'm a combination of the acuminate and trail ones (though my non-pit-or-crotch body hair is naturally short and thin) and my...er... self looks fine to me.

That said, what does it matter what we think? You're presumably the only one who has to look at it. I don't do it for cosmetic reasons at all - the wifey, like you, has no real preference - but if makes physical contact feel better and (I assume) means she gets less hair in her teeth.

[AHunter3]

But for some reason my kneejerk view is that males trimming/shaving their pubes is incredibly, overwhelmingly effeminate.

Naaah.... that implies that it's a reasonable and acceptable behavior when females do it.

(bleah!)

[Hokkaido Brit]

... but he doesn't need to. It has always grown very neat and tidy!

He does shave his armpits in the summer as he gets very very hot in his work and it can lead to fungal infections. That surprised me a bit the first time I saw him doing it!

[corkboard]

Weird the social blinders we develop about certain things.

I'm way on the low end of the macho scale. Typical Berkeley progressive/liberal ( but non-hippie ) in a number of respects. But for some reason my kneejerk view is that males trimming/shaving their pubes is incredibly, overwhelmingly effeminate. It seems strange to me.

Or you could look at it as a courtesy to the person who spends a lot of time down in that area.

But then again I'm middle-aged ( 42 )
42=middle-aged? :confused:

[PookahMacPhellimey]

Really really do NOT get all this grooming and shaving. I, female, will groom only enough for nothing to stick out of moderately high cut underwear/beachwear.

SO is as metrosexual as they come (will use sunbeds, has several bottles of scent divided into seasons, has lots of fancy clothes, countless pairs of jeans and more shoes than I do etc etc) but the thought of grooming pubes just would not occur to him or me.

I was one of the people who were amazed to learn in an old thread on this board that non pornstar women groom more than just a bit at the sides and now I am even more stunned to learn that a fair number of men apparently do so. :eek:

As usual YMMV and without turning this into a huge debate I do want to say that I do wonder when and especially why we all decided that hair = bad.

[Really Not All That Bright]

42=middle-aged? :confused:
What else would it be? :confused:

[Anaamika]

I almost put "over 35". :smack: Not yet!

Anyway, grooming is not effeminate. I'll just say that if you want a woman's face down there regularly, she would appreciate it.

[kayaker]

I'll just say that if you want a woman's face down there

Heh. On my first read I thought you were talking about "topiary trimming", so that pubes resembled a woman's face. :D

[Chefguy]

Honestly, it's never occurred to me and seems ridiculous in the extreme. We're not mannequins nor Ken dolls.

[Anaamika]

How is it ridiculous? I wish people would at least try to understand what others are saying. If you have soft fine hair have at it I guess. But if your hair is bristly and rough the woman - or man - in your life might appreciate it if she wasn't getting poked in the eye all the damn time.

It isn't about looks, unless you want it that way. It's just politeness to the other person who has to share in it. And also guys, shampoo and conditioner down there once in a while, too. I know it seems counterintuitive but you have hair down there, and it really does soften it up.

Yeesh. You'd think we were asking for you to chop it off!

[Aghris]

35 here and pretty hairophobic (as AHunter3 aptly describes). I shave balls and pits. Trim pubes. Wax ass. Sometimes chest as well, but always keep it trimmed. Luckiliy I'm not very hairy, but what I have i like to keep to a minimum.

[PookahMacPhellimey]

How is it ridiculous? I wish people would at least try to understand what others are saying. If you have soft fine hair have at it I guess. But if your hair is bristly and rough the woman - or man - in your life might appreciate it if she wasn't getting poked in the eye all the damn time.


I've never ever encountered hair on a guy that was too bristly or rough nor would it occur to me that it could be. That's the honest truth. I may have been lucky in my choice of partners or they may have been grooming without me knowing (there have been some casual encounters in the past) but to be honest I think I would be okay with almost all types/lengths of hair down there as long as everything was clean. And the guy was nice, of course.

Again, if it works for you and your partner agrees, each to their own. But this really is news to me. Guess I've lead a sheltered life.

[Really Not All That Bright]

35 here and pretty hairophobic (as AHunter3 aptly describes). I shave balls and pits. Trim pubes. Wax ass. Sometimes chest as well, but always keep it trimmed. Luckiliy I'm not very hairy, but what I have i like to keep to a minimum.
Do you wax your own ass, or have someone do it for you? I'm having real trouble envisaging the mechanics of self-butt-waxing.

[Aghris]

By the way, before everyone says 'sure, but you're gay': many of my straight friends groom as well, but skip the wax. Shaving balls and whistle is common among them all though.

[Aghris]

Do you wax your own ass, or have someone do it for you? I'm having real trouble envisaging the mechanics of self-butt-waxing.

I mostly do it myself, but you're right, it's easier with some help. Self-waxing includes a mirror and lots of squating, but it's very doable.

[corkboard]

What else would it be? :confused:

I guess I've always thought of people in their "middle ages" as being in their 50's. I guess you could consider 42 middle-aged, but since I still think of myself as being around 30, it just takes me aback a bit.

Back to the grooming thing, I don't know why others find it so strange. As I mentioned, and as Anaamika put it more clearly, it's more about being considerate of your partner. She asked, I didn't have any objections, so no biggie.

[runcible spoon]

I'm 24, and I don't - fact is, I wouldn't really know where to start, short of full-on shaving, which is not happening, on account of I get stubbly in 30 seconds flat. I did shave once, and lemme tell you, stubble plus underpants made that one of the worst weeks of my life.

On the other hand, I've thought about it a little - I'm reasonably hairy, and while I've never had anyone, er, manage to get their face close enough to the pubes to be an issue, the small amount of hair on the shaft has been a concern. No one's ever mentioned it, and since there's no way in hell I'm shaving, I'm not sure if there's really anything to be done, but I do kind of wish it wasn't there.

[Larry Mudd]

Anyway, grooming is not effeminate. I'll just say that if you want a woman's face down there regularly, she would appreciate it.Indeed, it never would have occurred to me to groom down there on my own, but some time after 1990 I found that letting it go wild was bound to elicit some negative comment.

Apart from the poor aesthetics of letting Gene Shalit live in your drawers, loose hairs tend to get trapped in a big ol' bush and turn up where they're not wanted. Yecch.

Still the "natural" delta shape, just trimmed to a manageable length. I'm shocked to learn that there are still bush people walking around. Maybe my unrestrained bush is out of line, but the consensus seems to be that it's intolerable.

[Procrustus]

I offered, My S.O. has vetoed any suggestion of it. I'm not unusually hairy, probably pretty average. (48 y.o. male)

[Zeriel]

I'm 31, and a male. I tend to being pretty damn hairy anyway, but I run over it with a beard trimmer (of all things) on the longest setting--works well enough to keep it manageable without looking ridiculous, cuts down on the sweat in the summer (which is an awesome side benefit if you're a sweaty hog who jogs like I am), and avoids the stubble problem or the ridiculous bald wang in the middle of bigfoot territory that fully shaving would do.

When I say I'm hairy, I mean I have very coarse and widespread hairs--I would not look out of place in a 1970s disco.

[tdn]

He's naturally pretty hairy (about as much as Mr. Acuminate (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cf/Abdominal_hair_patterns_cmg.gif)), and think it'd look weird if his pubic hair was short and the rest of his body hair wasn't.

That's the problem I have. I'm no gorilla, but my stomach and thighs are sufficiently hairy that a bald pubic mound looks a little strange on me.

[Serenata67]

My husband has a massive man jungle going on down there.

At least he can't give me grief if my lady forest gets a little unruly.

[PopeJewish]

I prefer when women trim, so I trim. I don't shave down there though. Tried it once and cut myself and won't do it ever, ever again, ever. I use my beard trimmer and go over it all. Though I did trim in a nice little heart for my girlfriend on our 4 month-iversary

[MeanJoe]

Male, 40. I've been trimming the pubic hair and shaving my balls for over 10 years now. Every girlfriend I've had has said they liked it... of course they've also said that I have the biggest cock they've ever seen and that no one has ever made them cum like that before. Yes, I do enjoy large grains of salt thank you! ;-)

FYI - Most of the women I've been with have also done some form of grooming and I am very appreciative.

[breaking-reality]

I'm 24, and I don't - fact is, I wouldn't really know where to start, short of full-on shaving, which is not happening, on account of I get stubbly in 30 seconds flat. I did shave once, and lemme tell you, stubble plus underpants made that one of the worst weeks of my life.

From a girls perspective, so perhaps it is different for guys, the first time you shave is the worst, the stubble plus underpants and the itchiness are pretty awful. I will say, it does get better and much less annoying the more you do it.

As far as not being sure what else to do, the last guy I was with just used scissors and sometimes one of those beard trimmers. I never cared one way or the other what he did, but I did notice and it was kind of nice to know he cared enough to make an effort.

[melodyharmonius]

My ex used to trim himself and trim me - but my current SO prefers to leave things wild on both of us. And what's a few random hairs for love?

[KneadToKnow]

The key word in the poll for me (male, 41) is groom. I don't know what the deal is, but left to its own devices, my pubes will get ... I'm just gonna say "caught" and leave it at that.

[nashiitashii]

In my experience with guys and their nether regions*, I've noticed that those who don't noticeably trim generally don't seem to have much of a need for it-- no totally wild thatches of hair to deal with, but not so sparse that it looks strange. In contrast, those who trimmed or shaved that I'd seen in the altogether on a semi-regular basis appeared to be hairier in general and the "cutting back on body hair" just happened to reach the nether regions. I've definitely seen more trimming than shaving, and it seemed like shaving completely was more of a popular thing with guys who started out more well-endowed or were very muscularly defined as a way to show off. I'm pretty indifferent to it as long as it doesn't look silly and doesn't get in the way; I'm more concerned about the function and aesthetics of the male genitals than the hairs around them.

My husband is currently a Mr. Sagittal who occasionally will shave away the stomach hairs because there aren't enough to make an interesting cluster/line and is otherwise not all that hairy. This may change as he gets older, but either way, I'm not particularly concerned.

*I've seen more than a few, but not so many that I'd have trouble fitting them all on a school bus of "men I've fooled around with". :p

[rhubarbarin]

BF is 41 and au natural. I am 24 (female) and extensively groomed (shave all body hair regularly) which I find the most comfortable. I don't care much what men do with their body hair, although I think trimming (not shaving) is the most aesthetically pleasing, but BF is not very hairy. If it was a jungle down there I might request some grooming.

[DivineComedienne]

*I've seen more than a few, but not so many that I'd have trouble fitting them all on a school bus of "men I've fooled around with". :p

That would be one interesting ride to school!

My last SO was my first experience with a man who trimmed; just trimmed, but he was not shaved (age 49). I only noticed it because there appeared to be a bit of a stubbly feeling in certain areas. I mentioned it, and he said that he did it because he thought it looked neater. He had quite a bit of chest hair, but not so much on his back, arms or legs. I don't think it made the experience any better or worse, but I do like a man who makes an effort to keep himself "neat" in general - trims nosehairs and grooms a unibrow, keeps his nails clean, etc. If a man takes care of little things like that, then IME he is thoughtful about other things as well.

[Kaio]

I am female and not currently seeing anyone, however over the last five years or so, of the guys I've known *ahem* well enough to find out these things, all of them groomed in some way.

All trimmed down below. None shaved, because with chest/ab hair it would have looked weird, or else they've have to spend inordinate amounts of time shaving the chest, too (and ew, chest stubble). "Trimming" may mean half an inch long or less, though -- just close enough to "match" the length of the rest of the hair. A common approach to the bits was to trim immediately above, and shave the balls completely.

Two of three shaved their armpits too, for the aforementioned sweat/odor control.

Age range from 28-35, although this being over a five year span they're all 33-35 presently. I didn't ask how long they've been doing it for.

[Kaio]

My boyfriend is au naturale down there. I don't really have a preference, but I asked him once in conversation if he'd ever thought about trimming and he seemd perplexed. He's naturally pretty hairy (about as much as Mr. Acuminate (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cf/Abdominal_hair_patterns_cmg.gif)), and think it'd look weird if his pubic hair was short and the rest of his body hair wasn't.

Is he right? I've been with a couple guys who shave their pubes, but neither of them had body hair to speak of. He's an easy-going guy and would probably let me scape him in the interest of scientific inquiry, but I'd rather not put him through it if he's likely to look ridiculous.

One of the aforementioned guys I knew was somewhere in between acuminate and disperse. It looked fine on him, and in fact if he hadn't mentioned the trimming it might not have occurred to me to question it (at least not right away). The key was that he trimmed the hair to approximately the same length as the belly and leg hair, so around half an inch or so. That way, it looked like a consistently-lengthed "carpet" all the way down, rather than furry-JUNGLE-furry, or furry-BALD-furry (which, I agree, would look weird).

The others didn't have much in the way of belly-hair, so it wasn't an issue.

[Slow Moving Vehicle]

42=middle-aged? :confused:

Yeah, yeah, what he said!

[Hazle Weatherfield]

Yeah, yeah, what he said!

I cringe at that too, but, seriously? You think you're going to be alive many more years than 84? Maybe...

[AHunter3]

I guess I've always thought of people in their "middle ages" as being in their 50's.

So middle age is when you are 50 thru 100 and old age is 100 thru 150 or beyond :dubious:

?

EDITED TO ADD: I'm 51 but I started thinking of myself as middle-aged at 37. Figured that was the 1/3rd mark. One should be middle-aged for as many years as one was young, and as many years as one anticipates being old. Otherwise it doesn't mean much.

[Tamerlane]

I cringe at that too, but, seriously? You think you're going to be alive many more years than 84? Maybe...

My family is not long-lived in general. I figure I'm probably somewhere past the halfway mark at this point ;).

[Hippy Hollow]

Heh. I'm blessed to have hair mostly on the face and head, and not many places else... but taking care of down under is a necessity... ever get your pubes pulled or stuck in your undies? Hard to adjust on the fly.

Beard trimmer to "mow it down," and that's all it needs, thanks very much.

I did once attempt to shave down there. Terrible mistake. The itchiness was unreal, and I did indeed cut my sack. It wasn't a big cut and it didn't hurt, but it bled like the dickens.

I think I will put the guard on and mow down the armpit hair. No reason for it to be so long, I suppose.

[corkboard]

So middle age is when you are 50 thru 100 and old age is 100 thru 150 or beyond :dubious:

?

Why would you think the "middle" is a 50-year span?

:dubious: Right back at'cha.

[melodyharmonius]

My ex used to trim himself and trim me - but my current SO prefers to leave things wild on both of us. And what's a few random hairs for love?

I mentioned this thread to my bf over the weekend, and have come back to confess that I was wrong. Although he prefers that I leave things wild down there, he does actually trim himself a little - especially around the shaft where hairs tend to get 'caught.'

So, I apologize for the inaccurate reporting.

[Really Not All That Bright]

*I've seen more than a few, but not so many that I'd have trouble fitting them all on a school bus of "men I've fooled around with". :p
Are we talking short bus or full-sized? ;)

[nashiitashii]

Are we talking short bus or full-sized? ;)
Haha; I'm not telling. :p

In other news, the most disturbing part of my knowledge of pube grooming is in the fact that, occasionally, I will have completely platonic guy friends who'll let me know how groomed or wild their junk patch is. On even rarer occasions it'll be through photographic/video proof. Ew. :eek:

As for this "what is middle aged?" debate, I tend to start equating middle aged with women's procreative tendencies. After about 40, you're no longer a spring chicken and start to fall into the middle aged category, and if you've reached an age where it's assumed you're receiving Social Security benefits, you can't refer to yourself as "young" or "middle aged" without me thinking you at least a little delusional. :)

[kayaker]

Are we talking short bus or full-sized? ;)

I'm guessing omnibus.:D

[Really Not All That Bright]

Airbus? :eek:

[nashiitashii]

RNATB, kayaker: I don't know whether to be offended, impressed or pleased at your assumptions.

[Really Not All That Bright]

Probably all of the above.

[Swallowed My Cellphone]

This has become a truly hairophobic society.Nah, I just keep stuff trimmed because it's comfier when I work out and wear wicking gotchies and thermal tights and stuff. Keeps me dry and less chaffed. In particular, some running undies I used to have were bad for snagging the curlies, so it just works out better to keep things mowed back a bit.

I don't do fancy shapes or patterns though.

[kayaker]

RNATB, kayaker: I don't know whether to be offended, impressed or pleased at your assumptions.

I would ask that you be pleased.

A song in your honor. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfHwPvx9lH0):p

[Diogenes the Cynic]

Of course not. I didn't even know this was anything that any guy did.

[VernWinterbottom]

42=middle-aged? :confused:

Assuming he's going to live to around 84, yeah. What does "middle" mean to you?

[Really Not All That Bright]

Of course not. I didn't even know this was anything that any guy did.
You've never heard of guys trimming their pubes? :dubious:

[Diogenes the Cynic]

You've never heard of guys trimming their pubes? :dubious:
No. I don't ask guys about their pubes. I'll be 44 next month, and I've never once heard a dude talk about this.

[Really Not All That Bright]

You've been on this message board for going on 8 years, though.

Anyway, welcome to the 21st century, gramps. You're gonna like it here. ;)

[Toxylon]

Sporting a dense bush and an uncircumcised grower, I trim my crotch hair to not get coarse, sharp hairs stuck under my foreskin. It can happen any time, it's actually painful and almost impossible to alleviate without sticking my hand inside my pants and pulling the foreskin back. So I use a hair trimmer set on the shortest clip down there every couple weeks. Trimming also keeps sweat and heat down, and simply looks better. Much better than shaved or natural.