# Does size really matter? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 11, 2001, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-size-really-matter/49465 "2001-01-11T04:05:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2001, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-size-really-matter/49465/21 "2001-01-12T19:35:19Z")
How does everybody know how big they are within a half inch? Do people really get out measuring tapes? Measure circumference and length? ---
**Author:** ![Bottle\_of\_Smoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Bottle\_of\_Smoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bottle_of_Smoke)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2001, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-size-really-matter/49465/22 "2001-01-12T19:45:44Z")
:putting away tape measure: Hot Damn! Oh, wait. This is metric… ---
**Author:** ![Geobabe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/geobabe/32/3908_2.png) [@Geobabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geobabe)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2001, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-size-really-matter/49465/23 "2001-01-12T21:37:14Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by RickJay_ > \*\*Of course size matters. BUT: > > 1. Length is okay, but circumference is the key. Mrs. RickJay assures me that the ladies would prefer stretch over depth., if you catch my drift, just as the gentlemen would prefer, ah… tightness, as it were, over depth. > > 2. You need good equipment to do the job right, but you still need to know how to use it.\*\* Ditto both of those. To elaborate a bit on number 1, length can become a liability after a certain point; you can only bang on my cervix so many times before I’m gonna call it quits (diferent positions can affect whether this will happen also). > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Spiritus Mundi \* > \*\*Main thing to remember: _“size matters” does not mean “only size matters”_ \*\* Exactly. Another thing to remember is that not all women are the same size, either. I have a friend who tells me her equipment is on the small side, so a large penis is out of the question for her because it’s too painful. ---
**Author:** ![Rally\_Vincent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c37758/32.png) [@Rally\_Vincent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rally_Vincent)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2001, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-size-really-matter/49465/24 "2001-01-13T02:19:20Z")
Yes, goodness of fit would be the issue. Interestingly, the human vagina averages about 4 inches long (remember this is an average) so length shouldn’t really matter so much as the circumference anyway. And the emotional fit is even more important. ---
**Author:** ![kirk280980](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c77e96/32.png) [@kirk280980](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kirk280980)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2001, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-size-really-matter/49465/25 "2001-01-13T02:23:15Z")
Within a certain range, size doesn’t matter. Sure, if it’s as small as my pinky, there ain’t going to be enough there for me to play with, and I’ll soon get bored. On the flip side, if it’s as wide as a beer can, there’s no way I’m going to let him stick it in me. Between those two extremes, though, I’m really not bothered in the slightest. I do have set ideas as to how a penis should look, though. I’m not too keen on the “gnarled branch” look, as I prefer them to be perfectly formed with a certain degree of visual appeal. It’s not the be-all and end-all, though. I wouldn’t let the way a guy’s penis looked get in the way of things, despite my preferences. On the whole, I’m a firm believer that it matters most what a guy does with what he’s got. No matter how perfect his tool is, if he tries to spit-roast me on it, it shows a lack of consideration in the bedroom, and perhaps in general. But if he uses it lovingly for our shared pleasure, it means a great deal to me. ---
**Author:** ![Gozu\_Tashoya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7993a0/32.png) [@Gozu\_Tashoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu_Tashoya)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2001, 9:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-size-really-matter/49465/26 "2001-01-13T09:25:09Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Rally Vincent \* > \*\*And the emotional fit is even more important. \*\* Okay, this has an “Awww…” quotient that is entirely to high for this thread. 🙂 And on another note, I thought the average length of a vagina (damn that sounds weird) was about 7 inches. ---
**Author:** ![Lizard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@Lizard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lizard)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2001, 9:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-size-really-matter/49465/27 "2001-01-13T09:57:35Z")
I haven’t been with tons of women, but what experimentation I have done leads me to believe I have just the right kind of johnson. Average length, but slightly thicker than average. Hearing in here that thickness is more important than length reinforces this notion. Yay for me! What’s odd is that if you ever stumble across a web site for swingers, almost without exception they want a well-hung man. Size may not really matter, but apparently some women would like to find out firsthand. ---
**Author:** ![DRY](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a87d85/32.png) [@DRY](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DRY)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2001, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-size-really-matter/49465/28 "2001-01-13T11:05:08Z")
[QUOTE] \*Originally posted by KKBattousai \* \*\* > [@](#): > > I thought the average length of a vagina (damn that sounds weird) was about 7 inches. \*\* “'tis not so deep as a well, nor so wide as a church-door; but 'tis enough,'twill serve” –Romeo And Juliet, Act 3, Scene i 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Geek\_Mecha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecae2f/32.png) [@Geek\_Mecha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geek_Mecha)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2001, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-size-really-matter/49465/29 "2001-01-13T11:26:25Z")
**Rally Vincent** and **KKB** , you’re both right. From a human sexuality text: > [@](#): > > A woman’s vagina, you will recall, is neither a bottomless cavern nor an open hole always ready to accomodate a penis. In the unaroused state, the vagina measures 3 to 5 inches in length and its walls are collapsed. When a woman becomes sexually aroused, the walls of the inner two-thirds of the vagina expand and its depth averages 6 inches, which perhaps not coincidentally is about the same length as the average penis (isn’t nature wonderful?) In its capacity to physically stiulate the vagina, therefore, there is no real advantage to having a penis any longer than about 6 inches, for there is no place for it to go. Bottomless cavern, huh? Can’t say I care for that wording. ---
**Author:** ![Gozu\_Tashoya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7993a0/32.png) [@Gozu\_Tashoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu_Tashoya)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2001, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-size-really-matter/49465/30 "2001-01-13T11:57:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by AudreyK \* > \*\ ***Rally Vincent** and **KKB** , you’re both right. From a human sexuality text: > > > [@](#): > > > > A woman’s vagina, you will recall, is neither a bottomless cavern nor an open hole always ready to accomodate a penis\*\* And mysogynists everywhere weep… 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Brynda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Brynda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brynda)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2001, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-size-really-matter/49465/31 "2001-01-13T15:05:28Z")
Having experienced differently-sized penii, IMHO “average” is preferable. Too big is…well, too big. I feel a bit pummelled. With someone of a more reasonable size, you have the whole friction thing working properly. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![evilbeth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/evilbeth/32/2268_2.png) [@evilbeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/evilbeth)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2001, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-size-really-matter/49465/32 "2001-01-14T05:45:43Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Stella_Fantasia \* > \*\*My BF has a dick too big for my hand to go all the way around, & I am NEVER letting him go… \*\* Um…would you think about loaning him out? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![KitKhat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b3f665/32.png) [@KitKhat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KitKhat)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2001, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-size-really-matter/49465/33 "2001-01-14T06:07:26Z")
Having been with both extremes of size, I have to agree with the “middle” argument with one qualification about technique. I think if the Huge Guy (10" L and 3" dia) had been a little more gentle about things at times, I might not have been turned off at times. If the Little Guy (the thumb) had a little - okay, a lot - more skill in other areas or had at least taken instruction as I gave it to him he might have lasted a little longer. No pun intended. I would say either guy would have had a better chance at a longer relationship (and much more fun in the bedroom) if they were a bit more attentive to what I was telling them. I did date the Huge Guy a lot longer than the Little Guy though. Having a larger size did make up for technique to an extent. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2001, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-size-really-matter/49465/34 "2001-01-14T07:49:10Z")
I’ve had no complaints 🙂 I haven’t had anything at all. ---
**Author:** ![IzzyR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/2acd7d/32.png) [@IzzyR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IzzyR)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2001, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-size-really-matter/49465/35 "2001-01-22T18:35:19Z")
just stumbled upon [this](http://dailynews.yahoo.com/htx/nm/20010122/od/brazil_usa_penis_dc_1.html) ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2001, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-size-really-matter/49465/36 "2001-01-22T18:59:23Z")
There are lots of people who will try to make money from guys who think that they are inadequate (as if we didn’t know). Check out this site…www.getbiggertoday.com ---
**Author:** ![Silo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ac91a4/32.png) [@Silo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silo)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2001, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-size-really-matter/49465/37 "2001-01-22T20:38:32Z")
It’s ironic…this same thread happened to be my first thread on the board: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=19146](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=19146) 😃 Okay that was silly. But does it matter? For most girls I think it matters to a point (pun intended), but I don’t believe it matters as much as guys tend to think it does. No matter what size tool you have, what really matters is that you know how to utilize it to fulfill _her_ needs. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2001, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-size-really-matter/49465/38 "2001-01-23T01:29:44Z")
Yes, Silo, its been discussed a lot before…frankly, it always seems to be the men who bring it up (oh funny pun again). The Answer is the same. If its too big, you can’t do oral or anal sex, if its too small you can’t feel it. The complex formulation also depends on the size of the woman’s mouth, vagina & anus. I had a girlfriend once, an ex-girlfriend of Arnold Swarzenegger in the 70s, she was blond with big boobies, said she saw a lot of penises in her life & that mine was just the right size. ---
**Author:** ![Medea\_s\_Child](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@Medea\_s\_Child](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Medea_s_Child)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2001, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-size-really-matter/49465/39 "2001-01-23T02:06:18Z")
Eh. A little. A friend of mine has the prettiest penis. But other than the warm fuzzies of looks, the dick needs a brain linked in before it does anything useful. ---
**Author:** ![lolagranola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ea5d25/32.png) [@lolagranola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lolagranola)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2001, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-size-really-matter/49465/40 "2001-01-23T03:12:16Z")
The emotional fit is far more important. I don’t care what you’re hung like if I don’t have any attachment to you. If you’re not so well endowed, but I love you deeply, sex will be far better with you than with anyone else in the world. That being said, regarding strict size, bigger circumference feels most satisfactory. How much bigger will depend on the woman, as we’re not all sized the same either. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-size-really-matter/49465.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-size-really-matter/49465.md?page=3)