Relationships

Does Bikini Razor Commercial Go Too Far?

Are women expected to "mow their lawns" to make men happy?

-Carrie Seim

Have you mowed your lawn lately? Trimmed your shrubs? Pruned your hedges? Summer's just around the bend - time to weed your lady garden! This reminder brought to you by a new, possibly offensive, definitely hilarious commercial for Quattro bikini razors.

The filthy-funny British spot, created by Wilkinson Sword (marketed as Schick in the U.S.), doubles up on double entendre. It riffs on a tamer U.S. commercial you may have already seen.

The spot opens with a woman stroking a furry cat in her lap. She's joined by some gal pals, who burst into a rousing chorus of the bouncy jingle: "Mow the Lawn!"

An African-American lady sings, "Some bushes are really big!"

An Asian lady sings, "Some gardens are mighty small."
A white lady sings, ""All that's left for me to see are tulips on the mound." (Get it? Tu-lips. On the mound.)

The commercial gushes with imagery of hedge clippers, a chainsaw (!) and topiaries sculpted into landing strips and hearts.

The spot ends with the white lady stroking her - now hairless - cat.
Subtle, much?

I'm sure many women will be outraged with this commercial. Or offended that corporations are now publicly encouraging women to shave their bikini "areas." (Why are they called "areas," by the way? And "landing strips?" Is someone from the FAA calling the shots on pubic hair nomenclature?)

But the reality is - nearly every woman I know neatens her nether regions. Some do it because it's fashionable - the miniskirt of personal grooming.

Some do it because men love it - and expect it. One guy told me, "It's weird because a landing strip in college was considered so sexy. But now I'm a little annoyed when there is even a little bit left behind." Another guy said he recently slept with a girl with who had an "overgrown, ‘70s-style" look. "It was disconcerting to say the least. If a girl is going to sleep with you and she doesn't prep accordingly, what does that say about how she feels about you?"

The last man I spoke to said, "An unruly vagina is a manifestation of some POW fantasy!"

Others do it because it feels good. Like amazingly good. In certain situations. Did I mention amazing?

Back to the commercial. I know I'm going to be unpopular (as unpopular as an unshaved "area") for saying this - but I think it's great.

For years we've been inundated with condescending ads laden with bizarre euphemisms for "female" products. I could go my entire life without hearing the phrases "intimate moment," "staying regular" or "not so fresh feeling" again.

It's refreshing to watch a pitch-perfect parody of those patronizing lady ads. Finally - a company that has a sense of humor. And thinks I'm smart enough to get the joke.

And to be fair, Philips Norelco started this whole thing with its hysterical Shave Everywhere Web site directed at men and their... "areas." The site's NSFW - but it's brilliant. And see? It's not just women who are being encouraged to prune the hedges.

All's fair in love and shaving!

What do you think? Does this Quattro bikini razor commercial cross the line? Do women face too much pressure from men when it comes to body hair grooming?