# Ladies, do you know when your, ummm, headlights are on? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 15, 2003, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-do-you-know-when-your-ummm-headlights-are-on/175521 "2003-05-15T20:02:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![betenoir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/258eb7/32.png) [@betenoir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betenoir)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2003, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-do-you-know-when-your-ummm-headlights-are-on/175521/41 "2003-05-16T16:44:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by susan\_foster \* > \*\*Call me blonde, but what is so attractive to some guys about clothed nipples? I mean - you know there are nipples under my shirt whether they are showing or not - so why is it so much more exciting when they are poking out at you? Just wondering. > > Susan \*\* Well, as has been pointed out, they get hard when the woman is horny. And signs of sexual excitment in a woman are bound to be exciting to a guy. This is a pretty basic tenent of heterosexuality. Of course if she’s just cold it would constitute a false positive but…the reponse is already there. ---
**Author:** ![Gundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Gundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gundy)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2003, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-do-you-know-when-your-ummm-headlights-are-on/175521/42 "2003-05-16T17:32:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by In Conceivable \* > \*\*What I can help is walking around with my arms crossed like I am ashamed of my body. Confidence is important in professional settings as well. \*\* Guess it’s all in the interpretation. When I see someone with their arms crossed I assume they’re either cold or pissed – not unconfident or ashamed of their body. YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![auntie\_em](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5e9695/32.png) [@auntie\_em](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/auntie_em)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2003, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-do-you-know-when-your-ummm-headlights-are-on/175521/43 "2003-05-16T17:46:37Z")
Nips Ahoy and The Pointer Sisters. God bless us everyone! 😃 As to the OP, like others have said, it depends on whether they’re hi-beam or lo-beam. The only time I can remember feeling horribly self-conscious about it was when my (then) SO’s parents came into town, and we were all sitting in the living room of the home at which they were staying (the SO’s apartment was too small) talking. Suddenly the SO stood up behind me on the couch and started massaging my neck and shoulders. Honey, I thought I’d poke his poor dad’s eyeballs right out! (I told him this later, and he said that his dad is usually pretty clueless/unobservant, so I shouldn’t worry.) ---
**Author:** ![porcupine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ac91a4/32.png) [@porcupine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/porcupine)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2003, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-do-you-know-when-your-ummm-headlights-are-on/175521/44 "2003-05-16T18:13:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Gundy \* > \*\*It’s just, in a professional setting, I’d rather not call attention to my boobs. \*\* I agree with this as well, it’s just that I’m only willing to go so far to do it. I definitely wear professional clothes to the office (though not everyone does). But the boobs are there and there’s no hiding them. When I was in my late teens/early twenties, I adopted a shrug-shoulder posture because I was embarrassed about guys looking at the girls. Took me years to get a decent posture. Now I just don’t care who looks. Surprisingly, there’s plenty of bras with some padding in them in a D-cup. But that makes 'em looks bigger. So it’s damned if ya do, damned if ya don’t. That’s why I just don’t care anymore. Besides, comfort is important, which is why most of my newer bras are plain cotton ones (with a damn underwire, of course). And **Gundy** , if you ever decide you want to change your screen name, it had to be Nips Ahoy. ---
**Author:** ![SlowMindThinking](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@SlowMindThinking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlowMindThinking)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2003, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-do-you-know-when-your-ummm-headlights-are-on/175521/45 "2003-05-16T18:36:54Z")
> [@](#): > > I told him this later, and he said that his dad is usually pretty clueless/unobservant, so I shouldn’t worry.) No man is that clueless, blind, perhaps, but not clueless. See, betenoir. ---
**Author:** ![Ich\_Bin\_s](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Ich\_Bin\_s](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ich_Bin_s)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2003, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-do-you-know-when-your-ummm-headlights-are-on/175521/46 "2003-05-16T18:53:40Z")
A friend of mine told me the best one yet: RAISEN SMUGGLER! ---
**Author:** ![skreemr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c4cdca/32.png) [@skreemr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/skreemr)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2003, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-do-you-know-when-your-ummm-headlights-are-on/175521/47 "2003-05-16T19:14:58Z")
nip - ons ---
**Author:** ![ouisey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9fc29f/32.png) [@ouisey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouisey)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2003, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-do-you-know-when-your-ummm-headlights-are-on/175521/48 "2003-05-16T19:16:27Z")
I’m gonna try the duct tape trick out. I’m so friggin’ nipply all the time, and unless I wear a bra like armor, its very obvious. At my last job, I actually got told to please start wearing thicker bras because of this. A couple of women with nothing better to do complained to HR about me. ---
**Author:** ![Kn\_ckers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/96bed5/32.png) [@Kn\_ckers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kn_ckers)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2003, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-do-you-know-when-your-ummm-headlights-are-on/175521/49 "2003-05-16T19:34:57Z")
But, God, DUCT TAPE? Won’t it hurt like hell taking it off? And **ouisey** , that there sounds like sexual harrassment. Would it be inappropriate for the shape of your kneecaps to be discernable through your pants? What about buttocks - do you have to wear a hoop skirt or something? No? Then HR should piss off and die. (I got a little bitchy there, sorry, but that’s one of the dumbest things I’ve ever heard) ---
**Author:** ![Liz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/liz/32/17737_2.png) [@Liz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liz)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2003, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-do-you-know-when-your-ummm-headlights-are-on/175521/50 "2003-05-16T19:53:30Z")
> [@](#): > > At my last job, I actually got told to please start wearing thicker bras because of this. A couple of women with nothing better to do complained to HR about me. That’s the biggest bunch of bullshit _ever_. I love how they made it _your_ fault because a couple of petty whores in your office couldn’t keep their eyes on your face instead of on your tits. People make me sick. ANYway, as for my own two cents, I’m a DD cup and I go braless. I’m not prone to being very, ah, nipply (?), so it’s not that big of a deal for me. I can usually tell when it happens, though. ---
**Author:** ![Contrary](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/db5fbb/32.png) [@Contrary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrary)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2003, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-do-you-know-when-your-ummm-headlights-are-on/175521/51 "2003-05-16T19:56:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by QueerGeekGirl \* > \*\*I’m a DD cup and I go braless. \*\* Gah – doesn’ t that HURT? I’m only a D and I wear a bra every waking hour. And even with a bra on, I _still_ hold the girls when I run up and down the stairs. ---
**Author:** ![Liz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/liz/32/17737_2.png) [@Liz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liz)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2003, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-do-you-know-when-your-ummm-headlights-are-on/175521/52 "2003-05-16T20:03:35Z")
> [@](#): > > Gah – doesn’ t that HURT? See, I’ve never understood this. Lots of women ask that and my reply is always “No. Is it supposed to?” I mean, ah, to put it delicately, my breasts are pretty, um, heavy. There’s not a lot of bounce going on. Now if I run (which I’m not prone to doing anyway–heh), yeah, I’d probably give myself a concussion, but I’ve found that happens with or without a bra. I personally won’t deal with the discomfort of bras to minimize the already next-to-no bounce factor. I do occasionally wear bras with tops that are a bit on the short side, as I have a tendency to stretch my arms above my head a lot (which would expose the girls–heh), but that’s about it. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2003, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-do-you-know-when-your-ummm-headlights-are-on/175521/53 "2003-05-16T20:05:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Contrary \* > \*\*Gah – doesn’ t that HURT? > > I’m only a D and I wear a bra every waking hour. And even with a bra on, I _still_ hold the girls when I run up and down the stairs. \*\* and does No One offer to help you carry the packages? Chivalry Is Dead. ---
**Author:** ![UrbanChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9dc877/32.png) [@UrbanChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UrbanChic)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2003, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-do-you-know-when-your-ummm-headlights-are-on/175521/54 "2003-05-16T20:05:56Z")
What do you do for a living, QGG? I wouldn’t dream of leaving the house sans a brassiere and I certainly wouldn’t go into the office without one! ---
**Author:** ![Contrary](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/db5fbb/32.png) [@Contrary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrary)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2003, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-do-you-know-when-your-ummm-headlights-are-on/175521/55 "2003-05-16T20:15:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by QueerGeekGirl \* > \*\*See, I’ve never understood this. Lots of women ask that and my reply is always “No. Is it supposed to?” I mean, ah, to put it delicately, my breasts are pretty, um, heavy. 🙂 \*\* Well mine aren’t exactly lightweights – they are a D cup after all. And at certain times during my cycle, they can get pretty darn tender. That’s when even looking at them can hurt. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by quietman1920 \* > \*\*and does No One offer to help you carry the packages? > > Chivalry Is Dead.\*\* Well the future Mr. C always offers. But honestly when they are that tender, I don’t even want him breathing on the girls. ---
**Author:** ![Liz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/liz/32/17737_2.png) [@Liz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liz)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2003, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-do-you-know-when-your-ummm-headlights-are-on/175521/56 "2003-05-16T20:19:07Z")
> [@](#): > > What do you do for a living, QGG? I wouldn’t dream of leaving the house sans a brassiere and I certainly wouldn’t go into the office without one! Right now I’m a hausfrau, unfortunately (although it has good perks). My last job was technical support, in which I worked with probably about 200 men, and I was one of three females. It was never an issue. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t wear skintight clothing; I’m more prone to baggy comfort. With all of the jobs I’ve been at, most of them have had a majority-male workforce, and I’m sorry but I’ve always found that any flak I’ve gotten has been from bitc–um, females. The guys really didn’t give a shit either way. It’s not in the “Haw, haw”, wink, nudge way either. To be fair, though, I’ve always been considered one of the guys, so I imagine it would be harder on a very feminine (and/or heterosexual) female. Oh, and I’m not knocking (I’m sorry, I couldn’t help the pun) women who choose to wear bras. I just won’t do it personally. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![spinningplates](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7c8e57/32.png) [@spinningplates](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spinningplates)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2003, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-do-you-know-when-your-ummm-headlights-are-on/175521/57 "2003-05-16T20:21:25Z")
Regarding duct tape on the nipples-- be careful! Duct tape can rip tender skin right off. Removing the offending nipple is no way to solve headlght issues. There’s special stickers you can buy, that I’ve seen at sports stores, in the runner’s section. Oh, and I can always tell, but my chest gets spoken to so often, I’ve given up trying to divert attention, cover, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Liz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/liz/32/17737_2.png) [@Liz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liz)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2003, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-do-you-know-when-your-ummm-headlights-are-on/175521/58 "2003-05-16T20:28:55Z")
> [@](#): > > Well mine aren’t exactly lightweights – they are a D cup after all. And at certain times during my cycle, they can get pretty darn tender. That’s when even looking at them can hurt. Ah, the period thing. I don’t really have any breast problems during that time. From what you say, I should count my blessings there. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Contrary](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/db5fbb/32.png) [@Contrary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrary)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2003, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-do-you-know-when-your-ummm-headlights-are-on/175521/59 "2003-05-16T20:34:35Z")
I’m now officially jealous. ---
**Author:** ![Heart\_On\_My\_Sleeve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/77aa72/32.png) [@Heart\_On\_My\_Sleeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heart_On_My_Sleeve)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2003, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-do-you-know-when-your-ummm-headlights-are-on/175521/60 "2003-05-16T20:59:04Z")
D-cup pointy girl here. I used to have the shame, then realized that was a game. Now I let those crazy diamonds shine, and they do it all the time. To answer– I only notice when I’m cold, cold, cold. And if they decide to steal the show if I’m giving a presentation at work, I say “Damn, it’s cold in here, isn’t it?”. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-do-you-know-when-your-ummm-headlights-are-on/175521.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-do-you-know-when-your-ummm-headlights-are-on/175521.md?page=4)