To bare or not to bare down there

It's amazing the things we all
take for granted sometimes.
Freshman year a friend and I
were at another friend's house
watching some TV. A Sex and the City episode came on that had to do with women and shaving -- and not the kind of grooming that can be seen by the general public. Her comment was, "I've never known someone who's shaved that." Our friend who was over with us jokingly introduced herself.

Since coming to college, girls and shaving has become a slightly more kosher subject. Even with all this publicity, girls aren't really sure how often to do it and definitely not sure of what guys think when they do. It's not really a subject that you can just turn to a friend and ask, "So, how much do you leave?"

In general most girls who have ventured into a bathing suit have had to weigh costs and benefits concerning just how far to go. For those who are still wondering about shaving, yes, it's safe and, in many ways, can make Georgia O'Keeffe's inspiration quite a bit more appealing. It certainly helps avoid the need to say afterwards, "Um, you have something in your teeth."

The real debate isn't between leaving the Amazon and looking like you haven't hit puberty but more to what degree you're going for in between those extremes.

After going through enough of my guy friends' porn collections, or merely using some of the frat bathrooms, it's easy to see the adult movie business' opinion on the subject -- "Hair? What hair?" But more often than not, for a lot of girls this high maintenance approach is really not worth the effort -- or the razor burn.

For those who subscribe to the "less is more" approach, there are some benefits (like a little more sensitivity). If you're a girl who can't keep up with shaving her legs, then you might just want to start with hedge trimmers.

For guys who are waiting for the right time to suggest the move (don't worry, you wouldn't be the first), ask yourself how often your girlfriend shaves her legs.

How's the stubble feel? Now imagine this same feel in more sensitive places. Think you can handle it? If a girl doesn't keep up with her shaving choice in this situation, everyone loses.

Recently a friend was complaining about her boyfriend. He had made his below-the-belt preferences known, but he wasn't willing to lend a hand in the preparation. For her shaving is about sex -- the prepping, soaking, lubing, getting into position -- why shouldn't this be part of their routine together?

Although this isn't exactly a move you would whip out on a first date (generally razors or other sharp objects aren't popular), it seemed like a fun get5fto-know-you-a-whole-lot-better activity for those who are past the prelims.

It seems that it's expected for girls to shave and to be elated when guys do. I generally give guys I date a deal -- on the days they decide not to shave their scruff and I get a scratched-up face, I can get out of having to shave my legs.

Essentially don't ask me to do anything you wouldn't do yourself -- also known as "tit for tat" (which to many sounds infinitely more appealing).

Shaving benefits guys in general -- you look bigger. I see the razor sales going up already. When it looks like a guy put an effort into carpet cleaning it's amazing how appealing any vacuum-related activities can be.