[strongirl]

KeraBear, no, actually it was not difficult for me at all. I'm sort of a natural born nudist and coming from a pretty un-modest family and after many childhood and adolescent "play doctor" and "you show me yours, I'll show you mine" kinds of experiences, I took to clothes optional beaches and hot springs like a duck to water. I hate swimsuits with a passion, to be honest! So does my adolescent son, who I first took to a clothes optional hot springs when he was 4 months old. I recall his shock and surprise when he invited friends over at the age of 5 to swim in our pool, and they went into the bathroom to put on swimsuits!

I have recommended before in this thread, and I will say it again: for those of you who have never gone to clothes optional or naturist beaches or hot springs, I strongly suggest you give it a try. What you will see is dramatically different from the airbrushed, surgically enhanced bullshit you are seeing in popular media and negatively comparing yourself to. Real bodies are beautiful, including yours. Yes, it can be sexually exciting. It can also be mind expanding, compassion inducing, and a liberating force from the self-hating hang-ups we all tend to get tripped up on. Try it!

One caveat: I am making a distinction between "naturist" and "clothes optional" environments as opposed to "swinger" or "lifestyle" places. In the former, you will find families with kids, men, women, old, young, thin, fat, disabled, you name it. In the latter, you will find a lot of silicone and sleazy horndog guys who are popping that extra Viagra in hopes of bagging that silicone 34E babe. You do have to do a bit of research to find places that are about body acceptance rather than sexual "gaming". Once you do, though, it is very liberating and life-affirming.

[KeraBear]

Side note, I just spent a week on the Mayan Riviera (Playa del Carmen, mostly) and saw only one pair of implants the entire week. Far less than I see on a typical trip to the gym here. And about 10% of the women on the beach were topless, mostly Europeans. With a wide variety of boob shapes and sizes. It was so refreshing! My titties had a nice vacation! And got a fair amount of sun.

That sounds like an interesting experience. Honestly, I am not sure if I could work up enough courage to give my tiny friends a "coming out party" to the world. Good for you! Was it difficult for you the first time you tried to do something like this?

I know just want you mean when you were flattered, KeraBear. I've had a few of those moments too, where I've noticed guys checking out my chest and I was thinking, "wow, really? They're really worth look at and checking out? SWEET!!!"

Heh... yeah, I wonder though if he was only doing that out of curiosity about whether i had started puberty or not. But yeah, I prefer to think of it as the latter.

I still kind of think it's fascinating how the many of the problems women face on both sides of the average boobie are very similar. How there are sterotypes about you because of your size, how you can feel like a freak, experiences with teasing in school, etc. It's crazy how much we can actually relate with our larger sisters.

Yeah, one of my best friends is like the anti-me as far as breasts are concerned. She started getting breasts when she was like 8 and sportin' a D cup in 6th grade. She was the "freak who started too early" and I was the "freak who started too late" and we both shared our fine share of teasing for it. I always felt a little more sorry for her than for me though, because other girls were really mean to her early on, spreading rumors and stuff.

[blondenorwegian]

KeraBear, I'm with you. As a woman with a B cup, I had gotten to a point where I felt okay with my chest size. I was an A through most of high school, and didn't grow until I was 17 or 18. Things do get better after high school, chica!

I felt pretty good until one night my boyfriend (in an inebriated state) blurted out how phenomenal his ex's breasts were. His ex had a D cup, as did the girl before that.

Hanging up the phone and feeling rather inadequate I began talking to my girlfriends about surgery. I started scouring the internet for reviews of breast enhancement creams, phytoestrogens, miracle pills and bizarre contraptions- any that promised another cup size I considered. That one stupid comment reopened a lot of old wounds and dumped salt on them.

I was raised to be a feminist, and participated in women body image groups, all of that- all to discourage girls from feeling exactly the way I did when my boyfriend said that. I should love my body the way it is, and if my boyfriend doesn't like it, he can find a girl with big boobs if he's so attached. (He has since apologized profusely and says he likes my boobs the way they are.)

There is a great BBC documentary (has someone already talked about it here?) called "My Small Breasts and I" which follows three A-or-AA cup women. Some try the surgery and gadgets that I looked at; some find ways of feeling sexy.

And as for the men's rise in body image issue, I'm sorry, I have to agree. The shoe is now on the other foot. I sometimes wish my boyfriend could understand that pressure to look like the magazine cover.

[strongirl]

As a mother of a teenage son, I have no desire to see men inflicted with the same unhealthy cultural pressures that women experience regarding appearance. I really truly wish we could all move past this and appreciate ourselves and each other in all our wonderful diversity. But in terms of seeing a little "forced empathy"...wishing that guys who have used this power over women to make them feel insecure would get a taste of their own medicine...I know exactly what you mean.

Side note, I just spent a week on the Mayan Riviera (Playa del Carmen, mostly) and saw only one pair of implants the entire week. Far less than I see on a typical trip to the gym here. And about 10% of the women on the beach were topless, mostly Europeans. With a wide variety of boob shapes and sizes. It was so refreshing! My titties had a nice vacation! And got a fair amount of sun.

[Aithinne]

I know just want you mean when you were flattered, KeraBear. I've had a few of those moments too, where I've noticed guys checking out my chest and I was thinking, "wow, really? They're really worth look at and checking out? SWEET!!!"

I've kind of wondered about the difference in the number of replies in the two boobie forums too. I've read through all the posts in the large boobie thread, and most of them seem to be about where to find bras in their sizes (which I'm sure can be an extremely frustrating endeavor). Whereas here, we tend to talk more about culture, the emotional problems that go along with how people perceive small breasts, men, etc. Not that our large boobie sisters don't have problems with culture, emotions, and men as well. It just doesn't seem as talked about in their place as it does here. I still kind of think it's fascinating how the many of the problems women face on both sides of the average boobie are very similar. How there are sterotypes about you because of your size, how you can feel like a freak, experiences with teasing in school, etc. It's crazy how much we can actually relate with our larger sisters.

Karategrrl, I LOVE your bunny. So cute, it's almost sickening. Lol.

[anarch]

Maybe I should post this in the "Confessions" thread but I have the same feelings, starship. When I see one of those stories, I always think, "Well, you all made this damn bed. You lie in it for a change!"

Same here. I know it'll contribute to bad things like increasing steroid use and eating disorders among boys and men, and I don't enjoy that thought. At the same time, I also know that nothing, nothing, teaches like experience. Most men who aren't short or fat or losing their hair have no clue what it's like to walk around every day having 99% of magazine covers, tv shows, movies, ads of all sorts, etc announcing that the way you look is completely inadequate. Something wrong with our skin, our hair, our boobs, our tummies, legs, butts, knees, ankles. Nothing escapes criticism.

Patrick Swayze in Dirty Dancing, now, I know two men who liked that movie (very feminist and grounded, these guys, both taken, naturally) , and all the rest hated it, and it's because Swayze made them feel inadequate. More men might start getting a clue if they got a taste of what it's like to live in a world that compares you to airbrushed plastic "perfection" multiple times a day, every bloody day.

[karategrrl]

Short of lifting up my shirt and kids section bra and flashing the world, of course.

I'm right next to ya, grrl, with my kiddie bra too!

I noticed a guy sneaking a peek down my blouse the other day. While most girls i guess would be really annoyed at this, I felt flattered. I rarely, if EVER, get attention because of my breasts. Also this wasn't some random creep, it was a guy that I am sorta crushing on. Is this silly?

Not at all. And don't tell us you haven't sneaked a peek at any of his goods.

[KeraBear]

WOW! Love it! And she's great. I don't like that she said she's "flat," b/c even small breasts have some shape to them, but overall I'm loving that she's being portrayed as sexy.

Yeah, i've never liked the term "flat" myself. Probably because people have used that word to describe me since 6th grade. And it almost implies that i have no breasts at all which isn't true of course! They just aren't as ... obvious as the other girls. What's a gal gotta do to get some boobie respect?!? Short of lifting up my shirt and kids section bra and flashing the world, of course.

Also a couple other things - I've noticed that this thread has WAAAAAAY more replies than the large breast support group. That's not to say that women with large breasts have it any easier or anything like that, but I found that sorta interesting. Perhaps we really do need more "support"?

I noticed a guy sneaking a peek down my blouse the other day. While most girls i guess would be really annoyed at this, I felt flattered. I rarely, if EVER, get attention because of my breasts. Also this wasn't some random creep, it was a guy that I am sorta crushing on. Is this silly?

[karategrrl]

flat and proud

be prepared: the following is a celebrity quote about a celeb who is PROUD of being flat and thinks its sexy. and she's on maxim too. what up!

WOW! Love it! And she's great. I don't like that she said she's "flat," b/c even small breasts have some shape to them, but overall I'm loving that she's being portrayed as sexy.

BTW, that looks like a Victoria's Secret swimsuit she's wearing. Also BTW, I notice that when you do see girlie photos of small-breasted women, they are often in that pose--flat on back or leaning back, seated, with an arched lower back. Such photos of large-busted women usually have them standing up. Just an observation.

[kittenb]

I've seen a lot of tv programs/magazine articles lately based on how men are feeling inadequate due to the abundance of adonis-like figures splashed over the media and the toned celebs women drool over. I have no sympathy and am secretly abit glad. am i a bad person:/. channel4 just did a series called 'extreme male beauty' or something which, imo, just showed how men are starting to feel more of the pressures that women have for yonks. secretly enjoyable

Maybe I should post this in the "Confessions" thread but I have the same feelings, starship. When I see one of those stories, I always think, "Well, you all made this damn bed. You lie in it for a change!"

[Allison-Shine]

oh and kera i filled out abit all over at around 20 so I'm sure you still have plenty of changing to do. but I agree with angie- they best thing is to aim for loving your body the way it is right now. I spent most of my teens expecting a last minute break out rather than accepting my small boobs and it did me no favours

I have been filling out gradually myself after turning 18 (I'm 23 now). I was a 32A throughout high school but had a small blessing at 18 becoming my now 32B. My biggest change is in my hips and thighs, getting more shape and definition, I am getting kind of a pear-shaped, semi-hourglass figure, its kinda hard to describe. Dare I say that I am getting some booty in my behind!

My point to Kera is that changes will likely come along later when you least expect them.

[loonydaray]

flat and proud

be prepared: the following is a celebrity quote about a celeb who is PROUD of being flat and thinks its sexy. and she's on maxim too. what up!

[strongirl]

Just got back from a week at the beach in Mexico (wonderful!) and was surprised to see our forum is hopping once again!

No time for lengthy post but have to say re. Geoff that Angie_21 said everything I wanted to say - everything! And probably better than I could have said it. Thanks, Angie!

[starship]

I've seen a lot of tv programs/magazine articles lately based on how men are feeling inadequate due to the abundance of adonis-like figures splashed over the media and the toned celebs women drool over. I have no sympathy and am secretly abit glad. am i a bad person:/. channel4 just did a series called 'extreme male beauty' or something which, imo, just showed how men are starting to feel more of the pressures that women have for yonks. secretly enjoyable

younger relatives have now well and truely out-boobed me. it looks more like I'm the 13 year old and they're 21. eek

i stopped the pill a couple of months ago and havent noticed any difference thus far, which i suppose is a plus. although they couldnt really get much smaller

at least geoff loves me...

oh and kera i filled out abit all over at around 20 so I'm sure you still have plenty of changing to do. but I agree with angie- they best thing is to aim for loving your body the way it is right now. I spent most of my teens expecting a last minute break out rather than accepting my small boobs and it did me no favours

[angie_21]

Thanks Kera! I remember how much this was a real, emotional thing for me to go through, and I hate thinking that so many other girls out there are going through the same useless stress and embarassment that I did. Especially now that I know how much better it is when you've stopped worrying about it. I mean, I've been to websites where girls are so depressed about their bodies that they write that they're either going to get implants or kill themselves by the time they're 16. It makes me want to cry! No girl should ever feel like she should judge the value of her life based on how her appearance compares to an imaginary, arbitrary ideal. Especially when I think of all the blessings and beauties there are to being small-chested!

I'm long past the stage where I can hope for them to mysteriously grow overnight , lol, (although they have changed in shape, for the better, since I stopped the pill), so it's a lot easier to just accept that this is just the way my body is, and anyone who doesn't like it can bite me.

[KeraBear]

Every time I see her, she always changes. She will be like her mom, who isn't lacking in that area either, lol

ahh, yes, always a good indication. Seeing as how I haven't changed since 13 years old, and my mom is rather small, i guess I won't be busting out any time soon. But then again, I only got my period last year when i was 15. I guess anything can happen at this point, eh? If not, i'll still rock these booblets so hard!

Sadly, I have seen some 11 year olds who have out boobed me. MEH.

[Allison-Shine]

Just out of curiosity, how can you tell when somebody is about to "bust out"?

Every time I see her, she always changes. She will be like her mom, who isn't lacking in that area either, lol

[KeraBear]

Its funny that you mentioned an 11-year-old as an example. One of my older friends has a daughter who is 11 and already is an 1" taller than me and her chest, although still smaller than mine, is ready to bust out (no pun intended ), by looking at it you just know hers will.

Just out of curiosity, how can you tell when somebody is about to "bust out"?

I had a thought yesterday while I was out with my guy and his friends at a car show. I think I noticed it partly because of all the discussion going on here. There were as always, girls walking around in their summer tank tops, which used to drive me nuts, because I'd be constantly comparing myself to every other pair of boobs on the street/beach/wherever. But yesterday I wasn't doing it anymore. Finally 10 years later, I can walk around, and see everyone else out there as people, and not focus in on the one thing I know they have that I don't. Because a) I don't care, b ) I don't want it anymore anyways, and c) I've stopped not only objectifying myself, but other women as well. Partly because I'm starting to get a few years older than most of the tank top/ bikini girls anyways, and it would just be weird to be comparing how I look to how they look, and I would never wear the same clothes they're wearing so I don't care what I'd look like in those clothes. And also I really actually believe what I've always told myself, we're all just people and it's just wonderful that we all look and dress differently, and we really do all look beautiful in our own way. It was a great realization, and pretty liberating.

I hope i can reach the day when I can see the world around me like this. But being in high school, it is SOOOOOO hard. Especially in American high schools. I hear that in Europe, the breast fixation isn't nearly as bad. I don't know how much truth there is to that. You've been so helpful to me, Angie. Thanks!!

[angie_21]

I had a thought yesterday while I was out with my guy and his friends at a car show. I think I noticed it partly because of all the discussion going on here. There were as always, girls walking around in their summer tank tops, which used to drive me nuts, because I'd be constantly comparing myself to every other pair of boobs on the street/beach/wherever. But yesterday I wasn't doing it anymore. Finally 10 years later, I can walk around, and see everyone else out there as people, and not focus in on the one thing I know they have that I don't. Because a) I don't care, b ) I don't want it anymore anyways, and c) I've stopped not only objectifying myself, but other women as well. Partly because I'm starting to get a few years older than most of the tank top/ bikini girls anyways, and it would just be weird to be comparing how I look to how they look, and I would never wear the same clothes they're wearing so I don't care what I'd look like in those clothes. And also I really actually believe what I've always told myself, we're all just people and it's just wonderful that we all look and dress differently, and we really do all look beautiful in our own way. It was a great realization, and pretty liberating.

[karategrrl]

It was my post about the boobie handshakes that started a lot of this, so I want to second that yes, Aithinne, I think we should cut Geoff some slack, and yes again, this is a great place to talk, learn, discuss and generally expand our minds.

Though the men who have posted in here have, all too often, been of the SmooveB and PLoverRay variety (high entertainment value of their posts and our responses for sure, but also high on the deja-vu scale), there have GOT to be some who may be inclined to read here b/c they're sincerely trying to better understand women. God knows I've spent enough hours of my life trying to understand the male P.O.V., so maybe that exists on the other side of the fence as well. Guess I'm feeling optimistic tonight.


I am going to sign off and go do some Kegels. You know, one must be prepared at all times!