Arm Hairs and Bra Straps

I have come across the notion that I do not know some of the social conduct surrounding the discussion of bodily functions and body parts and related matters in public. My sister told me of this. "You just don't talk about arm hairs in public!" she told me.

I have been ignorant of this "rule." Perhaps it is because I hang around boys and writers who talk very frankly about such things. I was not aware that talking about how I get this one thick arm hair on my forearm is impolite to talk about. I was not aware that discussing menstrual periods in public was a faux pas. These things happen to a lot of people every day. And arm hair. Its not like pubic hair. It's visible; isn't it alright to talk about?

Whatever my ignorance suggests, I do have one solid thing to say: I disagree. How silly is the social conduct if you cannot talk of something so obviously connecting everyone together? I'm sure that discussing something such as sex or sexual parts is a bit more awkward for people, just because it is personal and embarrassing, but discussing something as simple as arm hair should not be a taboo. Everyone. Has. Arm hair. Everyone! So why can't we talk about it?

I make this daily revelation relevant to two things: Bra Straps and a scene from (500) Days of Summer. Bra straps are interesting things nowadays because half of the population (mostly the older half) believes that visible bra straps are like showing your underwear in public or bearing your butt crack. The other half use bra straps as a fashion statement. It adds that extra strip of color to your shoulders. Or at the very least, you are too lazy to go to the trouble of covering them up when no one really cares anyway.

Similarly, I note the scene from (500) Days of Summer. While I would probably never do this in public or even condone this activity, when Summer yells penis in the park, you can't help but laugh. Its awkward, something that is totally a social taboo, and yet there is charm to it. The simple honesty in the comedic act holds some merit, in my opinion. Not that I want everyone yelling penis in public, but I believe we should all let discussion of natural body parts and body functions go without all of this hullabaloo.

At this point in time, everyone knows bra straps exist. While I particularly would cover up bra straps for the sake of tempting boys, the discussion of bra straps, PMS, or leg hairs between girls should not something forbidden. Likewise, discussing flab or those annoying eyebrows with co-ed audiences shouldn't be either.

This post may reveal the immense influence of my boyfriend, for prior to my relationship with him, I probably would have agreed with my sister. It just bothers me that when I'm talking about arm hairs with a bunch of girls at a youth group, that I am dinged for a faux pas. I'm just being open and honest, and hoping that the discussion of something we probably all deal with will bring us closer together. Is there something so wrong with that?