COLUMN: Feminine undergarments: Nothing to be embarrassed about
Attention: This is an actual letter that has been slightly edited for length and content.
Dear Lindsay,
I was shocked recently when I looked at my friend’s laundry and noticed several pairs of silky, skimpy male underwear. The other guys present and I began to laugh and give him a hard time, but he then proceeded to confide in us that he has a real problem. He has to wear the skimpy items under his regular underwear because, when he doesn’t, he chafes to the point of extreme discomfort. So I ask your help, Lindsay, for his sake. What remedies or alternatives are there for my friend to avoid further embarrassment?
Sincerely, Anonymous
Dear Anonymous,
This is one problem I have never been faced with or had even considered, but my heart goes out to your “friend.” I’m sure your “friend” is very grateful you have taken the time and effort to help him out. I’ll do my best to give you – woops, I mean “him,” the best advice possible.
Since the logistics of this specific problem are so personal and potentially graphic, I feel compelled to protect the respectability of this publication by taking an alternative approach. I am sure your “friend” has thought of every possible alternative to wearing silky, skimpy underwear, so instead of specifically addressing solutions to replace it, I would like to simply broaden everyone’s perspective on the situation.
First of all, perhaps the embarrassment involved in this scenario is unnecessary. If women can wear boy-cut underwear or briefs, why aren’t men allowed to wear anything even slightly feminine? After all, everyone’s idea of style and comfort is different and we are all entitled to our opinions.
If a group of girls found boy-cut underwear in their friend’s laundry, the reaction would have sounded strikingly different. Instead of laughing and mocking, you would have heard something like, “Oh wow, how cute! Where did you get those?” No one’s femininity would have been called into question. I think we can all learn a little something from this comparison.
Secondly, chafing is something no one is a big fan of. I can only imagine the discomfort and distraction your “friend” experienced before finally finding his own solution, however humiliating it was. I am sure he doesn’t find satisfaction from being seen in the man-thong section of Wal-Mart. And I can’t imagine he just carelessly picks any cashier to help him check out his skimpy purchase.
Aren’t these side-effects embarrassment enough, or do his friends still have to make matters worse? When we can all learn to accept each other and look past insignificant differences like underwear preference, then this world will be a much better place to live.
When I mentioned my lack of knowledge on this problem to some of my male friends, I received some information that may be more readily applicable to prevent the chafing. Baby powder. This simple product may be one solution your “friend” hadn’t considered, but apparently it can be a real lifesaver to those who have experienced similar issues.
On a more serious note, the state of Virginia very recently passed a law to fine women $50 for exposing their underwear in a lewd or indecent manner. Please keep in mind, if skimpy underwear begins to be implemented as a remedy for chafing, it must be concealed. It wouldn’t help out the way the rest of the country sees us to have this same law directed at men in Utah.
Lindsay Kite is a junior majoring in print journalism. With any problems, regarding chafing or otherwise, please contact lindsaykite@cc.usu.edu.