Ian, it's not just women,,, there are plenty of men who shave, wax and tweeze.. I even know know a guy who won't allow any hair below his eyebrows... Think ears, nose, chin, feet, toes, and EVERYTHING in between... But I'm with you, I don't understand why hairless is considered the norm for American Women. It's a very strange cultural thing. I used to be very pro natural...Back in the early 90s I used to enjoy flashing my hairy pits at certain people purely for shock value. Just to see the reactions.. People reacted as though it was the most disgusting thing in the world. Now I don't much care.. if there is a special occasion, I might shave the pits, or I might not... kind of like a guy with his beard, maybe shave it off for a change of pace, or if you're going to meet the president or something....
As for a brazilian wax... NO thank you!... I had a VERY VERY VERY bad experience with the epilady as teenager and have since learned to leave well enough alone. (the man who invented THAT torture device should be shot, condemened to hell and forced to use his own invention on himself for all eternity)...