# Questions for Straight Men about Vagina **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 20, 2010, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-for-straight-men-about-vagina/547393 "2010-07-20T21:28:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sleeps_With_Butterflies)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-for-straight-men-about-vagina/547393/61 "2010-07-21T17:41:10Z")
> [@PookahMacPhellimey](#): > > I have no problem with his sexual preferences. But if it was a personal preference he shouldn’t have used “should”. His examples to the contrary do not hold up, **MandaJo** ’s counter example does. Don’t pretend we are making up a slight here. He SHOULDn’t have used SHOULD, huh? So he shouldn’t be allowed to use that word? See how silly that sounds? I think that after he has (in great depth) explained how he feels some people are still CHOOSING to be offended by one word. That, to me, sounds like people looking for something to be offended about. Of course YM does V and that’s great, but don’t pretend that this exchange can only be viewed correctly one way … yours. ---
**Author:** ![gallan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ee59a6/32.png) [@gallan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gallan)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-for-straight-men-about-vagina/547393/62 "2010-07-21T17:46:55Z")
> [@supergoose](#): > > I can’t speak for anyone else, but that’s pretty much it\*. I don’t know whether he meant it and everything since then is just (copious) backpedaling/side-stepping or if he’s just really bad at analogies, but he says I’m reading meaning into his words that he didn’t intend and I have nothing to go on besides what he says, so whatever. > > \*I resent the implication that women (all women, not just his personal preference in women) have an obligation to modify their bodies in order to be visually pleasing to other people beyond good hygiene and wearing appropriate clothing. I think that’s bullshit and that obviously it is sexist that the same standard isn’t applied to men. Maybe you’re not getting it because you see my copious attempts to explain myself as “backpedaling.” In other words, you have already solidified your opinion of me and anything I say that runs counter to that opinion is immediately dismissed. Would you feel better if I submitted to your vision? It should be illegal for women not to shave. Those who don’t should be thrown in jail and forcefully shaved by police officers, who are of course all male because women shouldn’t be in law enforcement. In fact, women shouldn’t be allowed to be anything but housewives who cater to their husband’s every needs. Now get off the computer and get back in the kitchen, woman! ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-for-straight-men-about-vagina/547393/63 "2010-07-21T17:55:59Z")
> [@Honesty](#): > > Just a few questions (only some are about vagina though): > > 1. Why is a woman in her natural form less beautiful than a shaved, manicured form? She isn’t. > [@](#): > > 1. If your girlfriend/wife stopped shaving her armpit and vaginal area, would you be OK with that? Would it ever been an issue that could potentially collapse a relationship? My wife doesn’t shave her vaginal area, though she does trim it to keep it neat. I’d be a little squicked if she stopped shaving her pits, but I’m sure I’d be able to adjust. ETA: She doesn’t like if if I don’t shave my head. Does that bother you? > [@](#): > > 1. In your experience, does the vagina have odors that are similar but distinct among ethnic groups? (e.g. Does a black vagina smell different from a white pussy and does that smell different from an asian pussy or indian vagina, etc etc) Most of the women I’ve had sex with have been white, so I have insufficient basis for comparison. > [@](#): > > 1. Does the vagina remain relatively taut post-pregnancy? Post-menopausal? Have you ever been able to just not reach climax due to vaginal looseness? There are exercises a woman can perform to increase, ah, tautness. My son’s mother did them after having kids, and they worked quite well. Of course, we were in our twenties then, and I have no idea what that area on her is like now. I’ve not had sex with a post-menopausal woman, and probably never shall. > [@](#): > > 1. Does the consistency of a woman’s “climax” during orgasm ever drench a man’s penis similar to how the Japanese depict? I don’t know how the Japanese depict it. ---
**Author:** ![Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sleeps_With_Butterflies)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-for-straight-men-about-vagina/547393/64 "2010-07-21T17:59:43Z")
> [@supergoose](#): > > \*I resent the implication that women (all women, not just his personal preference in women) have an obligation to modify their bodies in order to be visually pleasing to other people beyond good hygiene and wearing appropriate clothing. I think that’s bullshit and that obviously it is sexist that the same standard isn’t applied to men. Absolutely no snark intended: Modify their bodies? That makes it sound like women are forced to get implants. Shaving/trimming/makeup/etc is not modifying your body any more than getting a haircut is. Using the word modifying takes this to another level (a silly one IMHO) and almost demands offense to be taken. I don’t care what any man’s preference is regarding the women he chooses to get involved in because I have preferences myself. I’m POSITIVE that many of my preferences are downright shallow, but I don’t care what anybody thinks of them. Also, I don’t buy the idea that for him to have the preference he has to also shave. So if a woman prefers a man who is in shape, she has to be in shape herself? She might need to be because that may be _his_ preference to be with her, but if he doesn’t care is it wrong that she’s not? ---
**Author:** ![palindromemordnilap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/db5fbb/32.png) [@palindromemordnilap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/palindromemordnilap)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-for-straight-men-about-vagina/547393/65 "2010-07-21T18:17:35Z")
If I’m putting my face down there, I want the area to be trimmed or shaved. I don’t like hairs in my mouth. And yes, I do shave myself. However, I don’t shave my armpits and I do expect women to shave theirs. On the other hand, I shave my head and I prefer that women don’t do that. Oh, but the question is about looks, not cunnilingibility\*. Well, hmmm. I like to view women who are well-maintained overall, and a big hairy bush is a bit of a turnoff, but shaved is not necessary. \*not in all dictionaries ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-for-straight-men-about-vagina/547393/66 "2010-07-21T19:21:48Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > … > > I’ve not had sex with a post-menopausal woman, and probably never shall. > > … Uh … didn’t you say you’re married, too? I can’t tell if you’re making a comment on your wife’s potential lifespan, or your own. Hijack. Carry on. ---
**Author:** ![PookahMacPhellimey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pookahmacphellimey/32/3175_2.png) [@PookahMacPhellimey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PookahMacPhellimey)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-for-straight-men-about-vagina/547393/67 "2010-07-21T19:38:46Z")
> [@Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](#): > > He SHOULDn’t have used SHOULD, huh? So he shouldn’t be allowed to use that word? See how silly that sounds? > > I think that after he has (in great depth) explained how he feels some people are still CHOOSING to be offended by one word. That, to me, sounds like people looking for something to be offended about. Of course YM does V and that’s great, but don’t pretend that this exchange can only be viewed correctly one way … yours. I was aware of that word choice, actually. It’s not that I feel “should” implies and order or an obligation. But it does imply something like "it would be better " if he hadn’t used that word. Just as “women should shave” means something like “it would be better if women shaved” and not “I prefer it when women shave”. Those are two different concepts. I have no problem with the latter, but he used the former and keeps defending his word choice. At this point the offense is not so much at any sexist undertone (perceived or real), as at the fact that I and some others being painted as hysterical and sour wymmin just because we argue with someone who says a word means something it just doesn’t. ---
**Author:** ![gallan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ee59a6/32.png) [@gallan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gallan)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-for-straight-men-about-vagina/547393/68 "2010-07-21T19:47:31Z")
> [@PookahMacPhellimey](#): > > Just as “women should shave” means something like “it would be better if women shaved” and not “I prefer it when women shave”. Those are two different concepts. I have no problem with the latter, but he used the former and keeps defending his word choice. Except that I _did_ mean “it would be better if women shaved.” Better for me. Is it selfish? Of course! But when it comes to selecting a partner, I have the right to be as selfish as I want to be. There is no law requiring that I “settle” for someone below my standards. It would be better…for me…if women shaved. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-for-straight-men-about-vagina/547393/69 "2010-07-21T19:51:24Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > Uh … didn’t you say you’re married, too? I can’t tell if you’re making a comment on your wife’s potential lifespan, or your own. > > Hijack. Carry on. My wife is much younger than me. I hope never to have sex with anyone but her, and I don’t expect to outlive her. I do hope that, when she’s sixty, she’ll be a merry widow seducing a much younger lover. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-for-straight-men-about-vagina/547393/70 "2010-07-21T20:13:40Z")
Jesus, ladies, calm down. The minute I read it, before it turned into Harp Fest 2010, I thought the implication was “should [in order to be physically attractive to me]” and not “should [in order to be a good human being.” ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-for-straight-men-about-vagina/547393/71 "2010-07-21T20:19:28Z")
Although, in fairness, it couldn’t do any harm to your eternal soul. _d & r_ ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-for-straight-men-about-vagina/547393/72 "2010-07-21T20:33:39Z")
I think what started the brouhaha is when someone equated it to showering and wearing deodorant. Showering and wearing deodorant are basic hygiene. Personal grooming of pubes is, as SWB noted, similar to wearing makeup or getting mani/pedicures. More optional I guess. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-for-straight-men-about-vagina/547393/73 "2010-07-21T20:44:22Z")
There’s that, but people lost their shit over the word “should.” If they were going to lose their shit at all, it should (there goes that word again!) have been over the analogy not being entirely apt. Lady space maintenance should have been likened, perhaps, to upkeep such as wearing make up or keeping your split ends in check, and not showering. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-for-straight-men-about-vagina/547393/74 "2010-07-21T21:00:15Z")
> [@Honesty](#): > > Just a few questions (only some are about vagina though): > > 1. Why is a woman in her natural form less beautiful than a shaved, manicured form? She isn’t. Natural is better, Shaved is a turnoff, and it has nothing to do with hygiene. > [@](#): > > 1. If your girlfriend/wife stopped shaving her armpit and vaginal area, would you be OK with that? Would it ever been an issue that could potentially collapse a relationship? Why do you assume they ever shaved to begin with? It would not be my place to say anything about it, but I think natural is more attractive. End a relationship? Of course not. That would strike me as an unbelievably shallow and bloodless reason to end a relationship. > [@](#): > > 1. In your experience, does the vagina have odors that are similar but distinct among ethnic groups? (e.g. Does a black vagina smell different from a white pussy and does that smell different from an asian pussy or indian vagina, etc etc) Not going to go there. Personal sample size would not be significant anyway. > [@](#): > > 1. Does the vagina remain relatively taut post-pregnancy? Post-menopausal? Have you ever been able to just not reach climax due to vaginal looseness? Yes, don’t know yet, and no. > [@](#): > > 1. Does the consistency of a woman’s “climax” during orgasm ever drench a man’s penis similar to how the Japanese depict? No. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-for-straight-men-about-vagina/547393/75 "2010-07-21T21:10:01Z")
> [@Honesty](#): > > Just a few questions (only some are about vagina though): > > 1. Why is a woman in her natural form less beautiful than a shaved, manicured form? I find body hair manly and smoothness feminine. > [@](#): > > 1. If your girlfriend/wife stopped shaving her armpit and vaginal area, would you be OK with that? Would it ever been an issue that could potentially collapse a relationship? Lack of sexual attraction would lead to a collapse of a relationship eventually, yes. > [@](#): > > 1. In your experience, does the vagina have odors that are similar but distinct among ethnic groups? (e.g. Does a black vagina smell different from a white pussy and does that smell different from an asian pussy or indian vagina, etc etc) Never been with a black woman but i never noticed a difference between white or hispanic women. > [@](#): > > 1. Does the vagina remain relatively taut post-pregnancy? Post-menopausal? Have you ever been able to just not reach climax due to vaginal looseness? Yes to the first, at least the pregnancy part. No to the second, but i’ve never slept with a porn star or prostitute. > [@](#): > > 1. Does the consistency of a woman’s “climax” during orgasm ever drench a man’s penis similar to how the Japanese depict? Not really. ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-for-straight-men-about-vagina/547393/76 "2010-07-21T21:10:05Z")
1. Prefer bare. 2. Wouldn’t be a deal breaker if she didn’t shave. But it would be my preference if she were bare all over. Can’t answer the rest, not enough partners. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-for-straight-men-about-vagina/547393/77 "2010-07-21T21:18:46Z")
It is interesting that so many men prefer women who remove their natural, adult body hair. I’m somewhat uncomfortable with this because removing that hair makes women look more like children. Or, at least that is one of the subtexts I see. I am also unhappy with it because I have very, very sensitive skin and shaving or waxing is out of the question for me. Clean, yes. Trim, yes. But for me, shaving = pain. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-for-straight-men-about-vagina/547393/78 "2010-07-21T21:25:21Z")
Most men shave their beards, which is natural, adult body hair. People have been shaving body hair (beards, underarms, legs) for a long time. I don’t see why shaving pubic hair should be an offense against nature when these other forms aren’t. ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-for-straight-men-about-vagina/547393/79 "2010-07-21T21:30:03Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > My wife is much younger than me. I hope never to have sex with anyone but her, and I don’t expect to outlive her. I do hope that, when she’s sixty, she’ll be a merry widow seducing a much younger lover. Hey, you’re back with your wife? Huzzah! 🆒 _sound of cork_ ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-for-straight-men-about-vagina/547393/80 "2010-07-21T21:35:57Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > I don’t know how the Japanese depict it. It usually involves lots of smoke, shorting power lines, explosions, and a giant lizard thingy stomping around town… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-for-straight-men-about-vagina/547393.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-for-straight-men-about-vagina/547393.md?page=5)