Must shave arms!? 5 Body Issues that Foreign girls struggle with in Japan

[@Uchuujin.]

So basically Japan will destroy your self esteem.

[@campkira]

not really if you r somebody... if you are nobody... well why the hell would you come to japan right now with cov-19 tight immagarntion and they are not allow you to go on public tranportationl and police right now.. really focus on forigner who don't look like working in japan.. hence not wearing suit...

[@konpeitosart]

that’s only if you allow it to. Personally, only strong willed women and men should go to Japan. That’s ONLY my opinion though.

[@astrayagrarian]

Good. It should destroy your self esteem. Japan is by no means a perfect country; it has its flaws. But there are a lot of good qualities that their culture teach and practice so I don’t see why the rest of the world doesn’t look up to them, especially the west which is rapidly degenerating if you haven’t already been keeping up with news and politics (particularly the USA)

[@konpeitosart]

AstrayAgrarian Honestly, I have to agree with you that USA is rapidly degenerating. I hate it here. I’m gonna be moving to Japan once financial stuff in my life is more stable for me to move lol. (Also, once they allow foreigners into Japan too since the current state of affairs)

[@konpeitosart]

ugandria womack ^^^

[@user-wp4if7rr1g]

To those who come to Japan, don't worry if your body is large or if your arm has hair. Come to Japan and enjoy the culture! waiting😄🖐

[@campkira]

people notice but they don't saying anything.. but yeah again if you stand out in your country... you will in japan...

[@Narnendil]

@@campkira Oh but they do comment on things. Excluding all of the things I've heard personally to myself and to friends (about arm hair, about make-up etc.), check out Abroad in Japan's experiences of gaining weight in Japan.

[@sailorcat]

That's so sweet of you^^

[@konpeitosart]

Super sweet of you :) ありがとうございますー

[@leamsi4ever]

People in America think I'm so hairy, so in Japan they will think I am ゴリラ :(

[@frappuchieno]

Here in my country, if you're skinny and doesn't have any curves, people will call you "malnourish" :'/

[@lia1740]

What country is it?

[@luzycat7869]

@@lia1740 Well, since curves are mostly appreciated in Latin American countries, maybe it´s somewhere over there. It´s like like that in Mexico, most of the time.

[@jorilynllanda513]

Philippines right?

[@sanprince002]

Same in my country it’s not that “healthy “ to be skinny but you know no shame from me it’s just what society thinks curves are better 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@shortsdeliveries]

i bet its Phillippines then

[@ReijiAoeGirl666]

I‘ll be honest: I never worried about my curves when going to Japan, and I never had the feeling that people were looking at me funny or anything. I think most of them are just like: oh yeah, foreigners just look like that. So I did not really feel any pressure to be anything other than myself. I guess it might be different when you live there though. I‘m still going to wear my tank tops the next time I visit Japan ;D Let people stare...I will in turn not try and stare at Japanese girl‘s short skirts (certainly not used to that as a westerner!)

[@nyuchu]

Yea I have a lot of dresses with the tank top strap style so I have open shoulders/neck area cause I die in humidity, I dont think I could always keep covering up

[@SiobhanS1868]

ayyyy, you go girl!

[@scarlettnunez2286]

The only time i felt watched was in the onsen.

[@valentinastrazzullo6930]

Do you think people would mind if i went to japan wearing my oversized tees and mom style jeans (cuz that's what i usually wear and my latina mom wouldn't stop criticizing it)

[@confusioneternelle]

@@scarlettnunez2286 Omg yeah

[@luciavisalli9811]

Me looking at my super hairy arms: "OH...well, whatever"

[@frequinnasty7303]

I think girls with arm hair are cute. Hmu??

[@susan.b8788]

Same like I went to Japan and I didn't give a second glance at my arms. I was like "meh I only have time to shave my underarms and legs. No way will I Shave my arms!"

[@flowerjournal7949]

Frequin Nasty look up “Mexican girl arm hair” on Google !! 🥰💞💘💓💗💞 I’ve been shaving my arms since eighth grade... some of us don’t feel very ‘cute’ 🤧

[@sunap.3877]

Frequin Nasty how much tho 😂

[@kiarahxm]

Lol that's me looking at mines i mean im used to it lmaoooo i dont like shaving anyway xdd

[@LeLemonade1]

I went to Japan in October and the only thing I was insecure of is that I wasn't dressing clothes appropriate for the season. The weather/temperature during that time was what I considered similar to Canadian summers (specifically Vancouver). So I was there, in the fall, wearing Birkenstocks and "summer clothes" while everyone else was in their fall clothes already 😂😂

[@jackculler1489]

I have the similar experience. I'm used to arid or humid weather. I'm from the Philippine ≥35°C temp is nothing to me Lmao. I came to Japan July last year, it was still tad cold for me; the summer temp is 20-32 °C in Japan. I was wearing a Sweatpants, 2 layers of clothing, a hoodie and a T-shirt. All the Japanese people around me were wearing summer clothing.

[@MustiToshiro]

I feel like Japanese beauty standarts mostly apply to... Japanese people only, obviously. It doesn't make much sense to try to imitate it if you're not Japanese. In a lot of Interviews, Japanese people say they prefer a clean shaven face instead of a beard. But that applies to Japanese people. At the same time, they are jealous of beard-genetics of foreign people because it just looks absolutely different. Foreign people have different facial structures, different beard density, color, length etc. Same goes for body types. As a foreigner, it makes no sense to feel bad that you have a different body type than the majority of their population.

[@HM-kf2od]

Exactly! I am Eurasian so I have a mix of both but when I hear people saying them things I think about what you’ve just said

[@SlayerOfEnemies]

I am an Eurasian too. I am hairy all over and have thick beard even if I am eighteen. Those Japanese faces are round while ours is like some slim and crested and sharp look is feature of Eurasians can't be helped

[@everythingsfinett3903]

Well yeah If you want to be treated like a dumb foreigner that can’t read the mood

[@aphr0d]

@@everythingsfinett3903 no one expects a foreigner to LOOK like them. Just learn japanese etiquette and you'll be good!

[@sandrarivera1262]

This was surprisingly very wholesome. Thank you, Cathy Cat!

[@sanyav.litvyak1321]

Well turns out Japan is not all anime and rainbows.

[@campkira]

well i live in akihaba so it alway anime and rainbows when ever they play... check my channel and you will see...

[@X33Ultras0und]

Every country is bad. It's just what bad you don't mind putting up with.

[@loxlitaa9559]

ofc its not

[@kellympinda4723]

Hell no lol Japan isn’t perfect

[@itschika3493]

X33 Ultrasound that’s so negative oml

[@LeCatte]

As a foreign guy in Japan, guys too have beauty standards that I felt I had to adjust to. It would be interesting to see a video on that

[@hanamiyanagi-chin6636]

Like? I'm curious.

[@helenemaja0912]

Suits?

[@LeCatte]

Like guys in Japan putting on make up, having perfect hair/grooming, good style, etc. Think the hair part got me. This is mostly a younger gen thing though.

[@garnetgarcia3287]

I would like to see this too !!

[@SlayerOfEnemies]

Guy speaking of beauty. Are they guys or gays. That is hilarious😂😂

[@Zakuyuki]

no one should ever have to hide or change their natural body except for health reasons

[@arti2733]

What is a "natural" body? Is that the body you get from the "natural" food in western countries?

[@carlw5360]

@@arti2733 yeah obesity and being fat is bad. That's when you should change your body for health reasons. Or if u wanna change your body for your own confidence is fine.

[@ProfessorVenomous]

@@arti2733 Did you not read their comment?

[@cartoonhanks1708]

Yes everyone should be naked

[@kellympinda4723]

LOUDER

[@ZzYukozZ]

Being curvy and living here since a few months I only had good experiences. I get mostly comments from girls who call me sexy or glamourous. They actually really admire curves. 😊

[@ProtoIndoEuropean88]

Yes, curvy women are way better than being thin

[@SlayerOfEnemies]

No one can challenge curvy girls in beauty😍

[@Ahiruuriha]

@@ProtoIndoEuropean88 let's not say that, curvy and thin women are equally great

[@clarev.377]

About the eventual compliments about hair and eye color...doesn’t happen if you’re an Asian foreigner lol. 😅 So yeah, being curvy AND tall (170 cm/5ft7) for an Asian in Japan doesn’t seem so fun. 😂🤣

[@zero5144]

I think it's still cool. Specially the height.

[@clarev.377]

Follow The Leader Aw thanks! 😁

[@creature2479]

Cries in 194 cm

[@konpeitosart]

It sounds like a dream to be tall! Haha :3 Good luck 🌟

[@clarev.377]

eccentricandangelicdoll Lol thanks! It has its pros and cons. One of the cons being I’m taller than most Asian guys (and freak out due to it) and therefore stand out like a sore thumb. 😂 Legit had ppl jump when I stood up. 😭 As for the pros, ppl do say I’m tall enough to be a model...I’ll take that as a compliment lol. 😆

[@ariannaabbate883]

As a curvy girl living in Japan since 2015 I still have a lot of self-confidence related issues even though I am married, I can't really accept me for who I am and I suffered from anorexia for about one year and half because I always feel I am not doing enough to be beautiful、、、 to be at a japanese girl's level. It is getting a little better but overall this high standards can get suffocating if you are already struggling accepting your body type. Anyway I love this country for different reasons and people are very kind usually, it is just my mind that tells me bad things. I hope I will learn to fully embrace it one day and not being constantly on a diet everyday of my life but enjoying it more.

[@kebaabetsweqhobela6016]

I wish you luck on your journey... *Sending positive energy😊*

[@HM-kf2od]

Hey the Japanese expect foreigners to be completely different and they know that a westerners body is different to a Japanese body so you shouldn’t feel the pressure to fit into a Japanese girls image because you’re you. You can appreciate and adapt to the culture but making yourself enjoy it less because of the body image and food won’t be good Trust me you’re perfect just the way you are

[@mongoosecandice7402]

I can relate to this. Yes, having a foreigner's body SHOULD make you exempt from Japanese expectations, but many times Japanese people still treated me poorly for my differences. I am fit for European standards, I exercise and eat very healthily and am at a healthy weight for my height. But none of that can change the bone structure of wider hips, which I was definitely judged for and targeted for. I hope Japan can become more accepting of different body types as time passes!

[@harmonyVEVO]

*Girl your arms are so unhairy haha i'm an italian brunette my arm hair is brown af ! But it doesn't bother me (:*

[@ソフィア98]

Ti capisco 😉😉

[@MargaretRodriguez9GenY]

La Tribu- Mexican girl here, and same on dark body hair😄. Thankfully, my natural skin tone doesn't make my arm hair as noticeable unless your up real close. So, it's not so bad. Though I still have times when I feel insecure about it 😅.

[@toqa6735]

Arab and hairy with black hair... it's thick everywhere lazer is my only solution :)💔..but it still grows back

[@justacutie.]

I'm portuguese and before classes were suspended, one of my colleagues told me, wow you have really light arm-hair, and I was like thanks😅. I don't find then so light, some are really blond and other light brown, but compared with other people I guess I have really light arm hair. I think I'm too self conscious 😅😅😢

[@frequinnasty7303]

I think it's cute with arm hair are cuter. 28 and single.

[@black.sasuke.uchiha]

I’m so relieved that you did not play with us for the beginning of the video. You just told us everything, and then elaborated later on. I am so glad I’m subscribed.🤩

[@triggerfingerstudios]

I shave my toes, isn't that enough????

[@JediMasterBaiter]

Have you tried plucking them?

[@7shinta7]

@@JediMasterBaiter The toes? Seems a bit extreme... ;)

[@ZombiiMilf]

Ew lmao

[@brqkenwonder-]

@@ZombiiMilf ;; who are you to even say ew?

[@Ichigokeeki.]

samee lmao

[@annikavestergaard9810]

she makes me feel safe. its nice to know that someone else has your problems

[@LeeTan141]

I personally see a lot of girls with hairy arms here in Japan, and girls who doesn't shave their legs (especially students) so I never really felt pressured to do anything about mine... Also c'mon we women are already expected to shave most of our body can we take a break?lol

[@kittyythecat]

Its super ironic that we have to when the idea of shaving our body is actually new historically. If you look through history, it was never talked about until the early 1900's.

[@evaundele123]

I know some women here in Germany who also shave their arms and if you don't feel completely uncomfortable with your arm hair in general, I would just say leave it at that. I personally never noticed any female's arm hair before in any bad way 😅

[@gabrielemarino7853]

Not even their legs?? Even if they wear skirts all day?

[@danabanana4408]

@@kittyythecat shaving pre-dates recorded history, sharpened clamshells were used by cavemen and early civilizations.

[@danabanana4408]

idk I think everyone should shave, including men. Some men have way thicker hair and get razor burn far worse and easier though, so it's harder to ask for that.

[@LisaHoneychan]

I’m 5’10 and a size 12 US. My 2 trips to Japan in 2001 were fun and interesting for me. I felt like an Amazon! I could see over 98% of people there, so I stuck out like a sore thumb. Going clothes shopping was out of the question for me. I already have light arm hair, so shaving it wasen’t necessary. Yes; seeing all the kawaii slim ladies around me was initially a downer on my self-esteem, but I came to accept I am who I am, and enjoyed my times there. ☺️☺️☺️

[@campkira]

well yeah... it was 2001 and most japanese height back then was like 150 cm... less than 5 foots... but today... there are more tall people and bigger shoe.. well there r not that many girl with big feet...

[@MisaoFan]

@@campkira 158cm is the average Japanese female height since the mid-1990s so you're a bit wrong in that aspect.

[@aioee877]

@@MisaoFan Average height in Aomori and Hokkaido is 168 cm for teenage girls.

[@HM-kf2od]

Wow 5’10? That’s goddess height to me I really admire that height I am too too small.. What was the average height there by the way?

[@basura8355]

i'm 5'9, planning to visit one day and i'm curious to see how tall i'll be compared to the average. I'm sure i won't be doing any shoe shopping lol

[@Ash.3s]

Before y'all keep scrolling past, I just think first, before you go anywhere in the world, you should accept and love who you are. Doesn't matter whether your in Japan, Europe, America, Antarctica, etc. Because we are all beautiful in our own way, and you shouldn't let anyone make you feel any less. Because you are you, and that's the most important. ❤️ ^•^ ❤️

[@anitahorvath550]

Cathycat is literally the sweetest person alive.

[@low-key5512]

I'm so glad body types were brought up. I struggled so long with my self-esteem before a coach explained to me that I was just naturally more curvy and muscular. Trying to change that had been a long struggle in the past as I thought I was just fat - now I'm finally learning to be happy with how I am.

[@steyrscout84]

Big fuzzy hairy German giant...you're just my type lol.

[@asya-bm2op]

y’all are so thirsty damn

[@Francis-White]

@@asya-bm2op Can you blame us tho

[@daskimchen8868]

Big fuzzy hairy German giants : you don't say 😎🤏🕶🙂

[@solus8685]

I'm not big but I'm a fuzzy German :

[@steyrscout84]

@@solus8685 Lol, I've only got 1 room right now but you're welcome to stay ;).

[@tonariya]

big fuzzy German giant? imagine big fuzzy Mediterranean giant :D I'd be obliterated due to my dark arm hair.

[@hikari5964]

I simply LOVE your message about loving and accepting yourself as you are despite the strict standards and not everyone accepting that

[@PinkPortraitDesu]

I love Japan I'd love to visit but their standards are nightmare fuel for someone with body dysphoria. It's like never mind...... You can tell someone not to worry about it all you want but at the end of the day it's the way it is.

[@thaterimango]

I feel you. But look at it in a different perspective: you’re visiting a foreign country, with interesting culture, and it will be an exciting journey. 😊

[@timlarsson]

My girlfriend told me about shaving the arms, and that was the first time I ever heard about it. It was shocking, because I couldn't even believe that anyone would think about shaving the arms.

[@AK-nj8gd]

Is/was she Japanese?

[@timlarsson]

@@AK-nj8gd Yeah she was.

[@wondertraveller9928]

So do men have that kind of rules in Japan?

[@AceTechHD]

Wonder Traveller Not quite as strict for males.

[@kwicksandz]

@OmegaReviews most Japanese guys still dress well and they are much skinnier than your average westerner. if you work for a Japanese company they will also expect that you are clean-shaven so no thor beards allowed. and just like she said in the video applys for men also, if your feet are larger than a size 10 you will never be able to buy shoes locally.

[@maddisonmad2710]

In a way. You shouldn't have any facial hair and also you have to be slim. Being fat in Japan is unacceptable.

[@JediMasterBaiter]

I already lasered all my hair off so I think I'm good.

[@campkira]

if you are old man.. you can get away with a lot of thing...

[@aforapple3821]

1. Body type: pear/thick 2. Curves: A LOT 3. Cloth size: Need XXtraa large for bottom 4. Shoe size: wide feet 5. HIGH Beauty standard: Acne/ hairy arms Would I fit in Japan? EVERRRR??🤣

[@ProtoIndoEuropean88]

You already fit when it comes to being sexy, being thin suck. I'm a thin man and wished to be thicker myself, how do you gain weight with a fast metabolism?

[@pumpkinfaerie]

筋猫Kineko 日本語を教えて?

[@pumpkinfaerie]

Maggie Magic あなたじゃない😅

[@aforapple3821]

@@ProtoIndoEuropean88 No idea. I wish to loose some weight btw. 😁

[@aforapple3821]

@@ProtoIndoEuropean88 never was a thin girl. I am Asian and thick. 😂😂 its a mismatch.

[@MarioUcomics]

I know I have a very modern western ideology that everyone is unique in they're own way which might be different when living in Japan, but you have to remember you are who you are and in the end you have to learn to live with yourself. "On that note," I think your perfectly fine the way you are Cathy whether it fits the Japanese standards or not : ) .... actually I think your drop dead gorgeous

[@merelyAriana]

1. Curvy girls rock. 2. Have I mentioned curvy girls rule? The secret is out- many real men, even East Asian, love curves, and many women love themselves for their beautiful curvy body types! Hell, many Japanese women covet the busty body types that many Japanese people prefer! 3. I love Japanese culture. It's a shame that one aspect of their media perpetuates unrealistic beauty standards. But hey, so does our American media, just with different standards. They're all arbitrary and manufactured by beauty product companies. For example, Kathy, I think you're absolutely beautiful. I also think African American women, Asian women, slim women, and thick women all have their own individual beauty. The media perpetuates our insecurities, but I just wish the world would stop being so shallow and making people feel inadequate. Kathy, you're perfect. Everyone is beautiful.

[@kittyythecat]

I remember Rachel from Rachel and Jun said she shaved her arms but I was confused on why. This video explains a lot. I mean, the high beauty standards are really.... tiring. I often wonder if Japanese girls think its worth it.

[@plzleavemealone9660]

It's not that hard to just shave the arms... maybe 1 minute every week... it's not even something girls force themselves to do.

[@kittyythecat]

It actually be hard if your hair grows fast in shaving. But I did mean about living up to high beauty standards.

[@TheReMorseCode]

Rose Louise More like two or three minutes every day, if you’re genetically cursed like me^^

[@X33Ultras0und]

Every country has beauty standards that aren't possible to keep on top of all the time, sometimes even at all. You and I are just used to the western way. It might seem more free, but most people in the West don't actually think they are pretty, which is why their is such a need for validation on social media.

[@BloomStellaRoxy]

A lot of foreign girls I met while in Japan were complaining about how it destroyed their self confidence, but it was the very opposite for me. My self esteem was very much non existent before I came to Japan, but I turned to a pretty confident person after 10 months in Japan. I finally found a place that appreciates the type of looks I have, unlike my home country.

[@joongiefan]

I'm a chubby Asian American girl and I've actually been complimented to in Japan several times and being told I'm "kawaii" as a 158cm 70kg girl definitely is a self esteem boost! But before I came to Japan, I was already really happy with the way I looked, so I dressed the way I wanted and walk with my shoulders back, so I feel like my confidence helps :D

[@justboredidkslay]

U MADE MY DAY IM 170 AND 5O KG AND IM STILL NOT CONFIDENT ENOUGH ABOUT MY BODY BUT ILL TRY TO BE SINCE U ARE THANK U

[@evilbankai5166]

@joongiefan you are a little chubby but you are on a healthy weight. keep in mind ladies to workout not just for your bodies and self-esteem but most important for your health as well.

[@evilbankai5166]

@@justboredidkslay The best advice i can give you (because i used it and worked well for me) is to always be philosophical about your issues and explore them with thoughtfullness and questions like "why you feel the way you do" etc. sometimes it is not important what others think about you because at the end of the day if you don't love and respect yourself who else will bother to respect and love you? right?

[@Fuu_Sho]

You really think any japanese would tell you the truth in your face? Of course they call you "kawaii", thats just typical japanese to never make someone else lose their face.

[@Nascondiglio3]

Yes, you said everything. When you shine in your own skin and personality, it allows others to feel like they can do the same.

[@Xzirf57]

"Everything is shaven" Well nope, not everything...

[@kavarimorrow9653]

They never shave their 🐱

[@firenancy96]

The arm hair thing? I find that quite interesting. I've been working as a fashion model in the Kansai Region for about 5 years and my arm hair as a European has never been an issue. No one has ever even asked me about. So from my experience, no issue at all.

[@abcdefghilihgfedcba]

Yours is probably not that visible so it’s ok. Whether or not you “need” to shave it is highly dependent on genetics.

[@jamie437]

I think i would be fine Every morning i tell me i love myself! It helps!

[@alundra88]

You're not a fuzzy big german giant, you're a beautiful person, with a even more beauitful heart.

[@linahorn5877]

I'm literally a fashion model, but I was still not good enough for the japanese standards lol.

[@animan9866]

I finally understand why uniqlo clothes look so baggy.

[@mariajoaotorressilva9493]

I just gotta say I love the way you just sum up the video in the beginning, sometimes it’s so easier to understand the whole video like that and I’ve never seen any youtuber doing that mostly bc all they want is views and that way they’d lose them!

[@zk1914]

They can't hurt my self esteem if I can't understand what theyre saying...

[@Lizard14]

I'm happy that in the end you've decided to be yourself and accept your differences! That's the way it should be. You can't change how your body grows and works, and everyone can be beautiful in their own way, even if you're in a different country and most people don't see it yet. There will always be people that appreciate it!

[@Lizard14]

@Will Black ...actually yeah you can. Now that I think about it. :p oh well I still think cultural differences shouldn't be a reason to.

[@06chrissy07]

I'm really skinny and flatchested and was called "anorexic" soo many times in my life. It's my time to SHINE in Japan 😭

[@burgerousbabieous]

Tuffel_Jo right?! People won’t tell you to go eat a burger or use their pinky and thumb to measure your wrists and ankles 🤯

[@NeyaLoupGarou]

Yeah this is my whole life... :( Plus the thick black hair on my body... I think they should just shut up and let you live your life.

[@trueblonde89]

I went to school in Japan and was told I was chubby. I left Japan super skinny, and a touch of an eating disorder. All the young women I know have suffered an eating disorder when living in Japan.

[@ChloeCo.]

I've lived in Japan for about a year now. Had a complex about myself for like 6 months on whether or not I should conform (shave arms and fingers, become more stylish) because it kept getting pointed out.. There are whole ads on social media where it shows girls getting made fun of by guys for having even a tiny ounce of body hair or thicker thighs, and so on. When hanging out with Japanese girls, your style will get pointed out quite a bit too, so it places a pressure to look nicer. Honestly, my confidence couldn't handle any of it anymore and have started to conform unlike what I previously wanted..

[@juanavargas7562]

I've always been very curvy. To the point that no matter what size in pants I get, my hips/waist is very noticeable. Like when I bought some dress pants, I had to go two size over what fit me because it really "hugged" my hips. Then I would seriously have a difficult time finding clothing and shoes in Japan.

[@ProtoIndoEuropean88]

That's sexy, I wish I were thick

[@juanavargas7562]

@@ProtoIndoEuropean88 I used to think it was nice having a figure like that. But it sucks big time. Especially when being called out by older men when I was younger. So now I mostly just wear baggy clothing, more comfy too.

[@tochosei4185]

What the hell are you on about lmao? Curvy figure is 200% hot 24/7 (alongside with a bit of tan skin) to me while almost all of my local friends here are into those stupid typical petite, pale girls which I don't get. But yeah I guess it would suck if people leer at you on the streets :(. But don't ever feel bad just because you are born with that kind of figure!

[@farhani257]

Japanese girls: shave every single body hair Also Japanese girls: grow their pubic hair

[@naadiyamxmed8717]

Wtf that is disgusting why tho

[@alpaca2299]

@@naadiyamxmed8717 it's just like any other hair on the body....natural. It also acts as protection against Bacteria entering the area making it less prone to infection. Although I am unaware of the exact reason why they choose not to I heard it is seen as Slutty to remove the hair.

[@jennywhat6108]

Leave. The female. Body. Hair. Alone.

[@DianaGonzalezGzzP]

@@jennywhat6108 PREACH

[@Iflie]

I think it was seen as slutty if you shave that. If you were bare in history, like older women can be they might buy a fake little wig to preserve their modesty in the public baths. Not sure if they still do that. Pubes serve a function though, if you wash they are not "dirty". Porn just made it seem like women should be like that but that was just to be naughty or so the camera could see better. Bush will be the next sexy naughty taboo thing.

[@yachiru9336]

It's so interesting how we had different experiences. I'm brunette and hairy on the arms I'm also curvy thanks to my middle Eastern roots and yes girls are very thin in Japan but I never felt judged or out of place. Maybe being an exchange student people are more welcoming to different body types but I always got compliments for my "tall" nose is what they call it 😂 I also found many things that fit in thrift stores or you always have h&m and Zara for bigger sizes if you really can't find anything!

[@carolilly]

When I visited for 5 weeks last year I was super nervous about my looks and if I would feel bad (I am also german, both tall and curvy) but I saw so many comments that assured me to just go there and don't worry and honestly it didn't matter at all XDD I would already be stared at (I am like the most foreign looking girl XD) but I didn't notice it that much and even in onsens I didn't feel bad! Actually two older ladies commented on my chubby cheeks saying they were cute and pretty X3 That was so sweet! So if you worry about your looks and if you will stand out: you would probably stand out anyways but so many people do? Enjoy the country! There will be SO many more nice things happening^^ At least when you are coming as a tourist!

[@Leila-jh8zy]

Before going to japan I never felt insecure about my arms hair. But as time went, by I started to feel sooo insecure that even in summer I would dare wearing a short sleeve tshirt... And finally I started shaving them. The good thing is that when I came back in Europe (in my country) I instantly lost the need or the complex of having those hair and since then I just let them be ! The beauty standard in Japan is really present and stressful.

[@rociolinares208]

It's such a pain for me to find shoes just about anywhere because my feet are so small, guess Japan's where I should go buy shoes hahahaha

[@raven_bard]

Two words: kid's department. The shoes are much more fun and cool there, which is a major bonus.

[@MariaMoralesZ]

I can relate, I'm mexican and when I was living in Spain I felt the pressure to do some things that are not an issue in México or noticed the physical differences even though they're not as dramatic as could be in Japan, I guess, but I get it and it's a process of realizing that humen are phisicaly different and it's ok, the best you can do is accept and embrace yourself and keep in mind that it's just a different body type from a different zone of the world and a different culture and you can and have the right to choose what to do and be who you are, don't over adapt, apriciate their differences and yours too. It's a good topic to cover because it happens and it's a surprice, I liked the video, thanks.

[@benny496]

informative as usual and some encouraging words of wisdom on body image.

[@benny496]

"celebrating the things you have that others don't have isn't a bad thing". well said Cathy.

[@jackielynfan4671]

this is so heavy to discuss and yet it's so wholesome to hear and be well informed. hoping for more videos and stuffs like this! xoxo

[@honeybnoir824]

Shaving arm hair (and even any "peach fuzz" on my face) had been something I've been pretty concerned about since learning about it being a thing in Japan. As an American Latina, I'm among those with the hairy gene. I've seen some girls and woman who are hairier than me, but my arms are still pretty obvious. I have thick, dark brown hair, and although my longish arm hair doesn't look as "thick" or dark as the hair on my head, it can look like it if I were to remove it. I'm not planning to move in Japan, but I've been wanting to visit there for the longest. I don't want to feel bad about my body hair in addition to my body type (I'm more of a pear shape) who also have wide calves like Kathy. I was afraid everyone would stare at me for looking so stage and unusual to them. I understand why though. They're not used to diversity like I am in the US. I'll probably still feel some degree of awkwardness because of how I look, but I'll try not to let that stop me from enjoying a trip there when the time comes!

[@ria-1718]

Don't worry I'm sure you're going to be fine. Some are propably going to look at you but that's just because you're not from there, they aren't going to think anything bad. Enjoy your future trip to Japan.

[@honeybnoir824]

@@ria-1718 Thanks!

[@xutherrot]

Im only 5'3" and 115lbs, but while in Japan I felt huge! I had never felt fat, or tall, in my life till then (granted I was eating everything in sight). Our homestay mother couldn't find any geta to fit us. When I came back home, suddenly I felt short and scrawny again. It was a very weird yet eye opening realization. I never even noticed anyones' arm hair, good thing I'm blonde!

[@becca5161]

I didn't even realize you're German until you said it xd your English is perfect!

[@dianaa8125]

Lol I thought she was half Australian half Japanese. She looks like Emily Browning 😂

[@lulylulyanka2676]

as a tall girl even in my own country (168 cm, 5'6) with big shoe size (41 \26-27cm about size 10 female america) I had the ultimate, luggage got lost as I arrived in japan blow. I had to go buy everything at least for the next few days...It was kind of scary but I asked an information booth for advice on where we could buy some cheap clothes due to the luggage being lost, they turned around and talked among themselves then did the cutest most considerable thing ever, they marked all the foreign shops in the area for us. Which mean! H&M! ZARA and the one we ended up doing all our shopping at Forever 21. It was kind of a small blow, since I was a bit excited to try the japanese clothes and see if I can get but they did the best option for us and I am so greatful they were so considerate. So yes girls!! they have shops like those as well that do cater to our European sizes if you're in a pickle. Later the same trip , my only pair of shoes had a hole in them so when ever it rained my feet were soaking wet so I had no choice but to get a new pair of shoes....Oh boy , my biggest fear. I remembered at the start of the trip that forever 21 had a pair of sneakers in white which is usually what i get ,they were a little ugly and they only had 2 more pairs left luckily for me one of them was just my size so I ended up saved! Too bad they didn't have my size in cuter shoes but I am just happy to find anything.

[@chikipichi5280]

Now do one for men unless there's already one can someone link me to it

[@cl0.2_]

@@private5142 um anyways chile

[@lc4147]

[Private] yes plus, no facial hair, skinny, styled hair, well dressed, and a well paid job because they are expected to pay for everything(majority of women expect that).

[@akashnarayanan4199]

I like the sound fill which is played everytime during "Next" kawai

[@darrylbruce1]

You are beautiful, smart and have such a great personality! 😍🔥💯

[@stormblade3408]

Bruh

[@florenciadesanctis8484]

Thank you for the wise advise Cathy! It's good to hear an opinion of someone that has much experience living in Japan and dealing with this topics.

[@konpeitosart]

Lmao I came into Japan the first time and saw NO ARM HAIR on japanese women and I felt so out of place with hair on my arms. x’D (I’m Hispanic and naturally tan) Don’t EVER change who you are just to fit into a different culture. That’s tiresome and gross lol. I’m still gonna show off my curves, my legs, and my naturally hairy arms. My Japanese boyfriend has learned to accept (after a lengthy conversation) that I am who I am and I refuse to conform to Japanese beauty standards. uwu ❤️

[@yukisakura-nl8ro]

I am also Mexicana wanting to go to Japan glad to relate to someone hairy arm team unite ! ❤️

[@brqkenwonder-]

yeah , me too. 🥺💗 this is why i'm kinda scared to go to japan.

[@endless6364]

🤢🤮

[@brqkenwonder-]

@@endless6364 ;; was that supposed to hurt? how immature.

[@konpeitosart]

yukisakura3580 haha for sure xD hairy arm team unite!

[@ireneliang234]

Looool!! Thank you 😂😂😊😊 I struggled with my weight a lot when I went to China because it's similar!! Planning to go to Japan one day!!

[@kozumakenme3838]

Genie: You have one wish Everyone else: I wish for world peace/To become a millionaire etc. Me: Please I beg you rid me of all my body and nose hair Genie: ...

[@leonardascorpius5304]

Sorry to see that basic things regarding women's sizes haven't really changed too much since I lived there from 80's to late 90's. I had to order from Victoria's Secret catalog (no online shopping then) for pretty much everything. Luckily the yen was really strong ($1 = ¥100), so I ordered 10 items for $500 instead of ¥100,000 and frumpy lol. And I was a very slender but "tall" size 4-6, 5'6". Overall, as much as I love fashion and beauty, Japanese women are too obsessed over every little detail on their appearance and weight/size. Yet the emphasis on delicious food & cooking on TV and magazines is absolutely ridiculous!! Hence the rate of eating disorders and "undercover" diabetes and high cholesterol levels are now big issues. Women may look super thin, but have major health issues from imbalanced nutrition, etc.

[@jeanthegreat4659]

i have hairy arms when i first came here and i never shaved it even once. Then when i started working i began to worry because they all have shaved arms. 1 year later i still haven't shaved my arms hahahaha

[@401Sakura]

Thank you for this video! I'd love to hear the places that you go clothes shopping in Japan, maybe that could be a future video? Like places you (or your friends) go shopping for clothes/shoes and which stores you'd recommend?

[@giorgias1606]

Actually I find myself loving japanese bras way more than Italian ones, they have soooo many sizes! It's a bless fo someone like me who has very different under-chest and cup sizes.

[@LenaleeLee]

I'm not the skinniest person in Japan, but it helps being an ecto-mesomorph for the clothes (being mixed European/Asian I guess I have skinny Asian genes mixed with muscular European genes). I remember when I went to Japan for the first time in 2008 my shoe size was L and now it's M. Not sure what happened, but I guess it's a good change. I've also seen some stores with large sections, which is a nice change to see. As for the arm hair, I remember one of my Japanese exes commented about my arm hair and how his mother shaved it. He said it would be good if I would shave it too. Of course I refused. I also don't want the hair to grow back thicker and let's be honest, shaving arm hair is a little silly.

[@mariobroseins]

I'm shaving my legs, arms and so on but I live in Europe and I'm male lol

[@Sashimi_luv]

Very useful very fun thank you!

[@anthestedrums5655]

hmmm interesting... someone must open a store for foreigners, to buy their clothes without many issues regarding to sizes...🤔

[@stopanimalabusenow6753]

Finally this is all I ever wanted my diet payed off

[@DavidKAnderson]

The shoe size issue is there for us guys, too: my US Size 13 is basically unheard-of. =/

[@bobbykirsche]

wow, I had some friends about your size. Im 32 and US 9, Ive been the tiny guy lol.

[@DavidKAnderson]

@@bobbykirsche Yeah, I have feet fit for clown shoes. :P

[@phased-arraych.9150]

Sasquatch feet

[@campkira]

i just got a jordan size 13... but you had to know when it coming out and where to get them on first hour of store open... 230 buck by the way...

[@astrayagrarian]

I’m 5’11” and I wear a size 7 US

[@eugeniawagner8583]

You are splendid! Anyone should feel lucky to have your attention.

[@Mecks089]

Does Cathy not know how short she is? German Giant my ass, Cathy's basically just a thicker version of _that_ Asuka. Without being a 14yr old Tsundere, and Mental Scaring to her Psyche.

[@Mori1000]

yeah, I'm sure that's what she meant by that

[@7shinta7]

Now I wonder what Cathy looked like when she was actually 14... Maybe really a bit like Asuka? :3

[@MisaoFan]

I don't think she's as short as the average Japanese female is (sometimes), but she's certainly not tall by any stretch, either.

[@ainscrev7597]

By "that Asuka" you mean the WWE Asuka?

[@7shinta7]

@@ainscrev7597 Is the WWE Asuka 14 years old?

[@KimieMekamiko]

Well I am a girl, 181 cm tall, naturally a curvy type, red haired and I reaaaaally feel that problems. If I saw the shoe sizes I was like "okay, forget buying shoes in japan....I have around 26 cm (in germany it´s shoes size 41-42)^^" Arrrgh....okay, I will appreciate online shopping a lot xD But I learened to play with that differences and it seem to work very well in japan^^

[@lalalu3133]

Oof I'm a 186cm German girl, that's gonna be fun (/ω＼) i'll probably stay in Japan for half a year or maybe even a whole one due to university stuff and i'm kinda scared eventhough i love Japan

[@rominalizarraga3044]

The answer to the title in the first 15 seconds of the video!? I love this channel, lol

[@aigerimsam3523]

And here's me showing my hairy self in a cute bralette on the streets of Tokyo and feeling great about myself. Japan can't do anything to your self esteem if you have a strong one.👌

[@ChristChickAutistic]

Good thing I don't give af if people like how I look or not. It took me a long time to get over my self esteem issues because of my weight, and I'll be damned if some people can't accept me as I am. But then I'm not a young adult looking for a Japanese boyfriend, lol! I want to go to Japan with my kids one day, as we all love Japanese culture and cuisine.

[@laurionline]

Well also I think Germans are very tall and "big" even for me. Can't imagine comparing to Japanese people

[@efnissien]

My wife and I had to get clothes as air France lost both our bags... getting clothes for my wife was easy... getting clothes for me was something else. On the fifth day (while in Nara) we had to go to the Mont Bell store to find men's clothing. Not just in my size (even though I am sized similar to Japanese males), but menswear in general, we asked in the tourist information centre and a couple of womens stores and they all looked blankly at me and of course uttered the most depressing word in Japanese "Chotto..."

[@shipuku0305]

i feel like the people who want a shaved hairless partner are more attracted to young people. So maybe having an attraction to minors, but that's just my opinion. I just hate that both genders command me to shave myself cuz i disgust them.

[@jennywhat6108]

It's even worse when you have dark thick hair (Italians, people of Caucasus and west asian will understand)

[@den2k885]

"Big fuzzy german giant"... stop, please, I'm married! :D

[@rebeldemoongazer8]

Is that why anime boobs are so ridiculous? Because men have never seen real ones? Sorry not sorry Your content is so informing and wholesome

[@greylord87]

I live in the United States and have had people( mostly other women) ask me why I don't shave my arms? Well for one im do damn lazy to do it, don't care what others think about my hairy arms and it's too much extra work to keep up. Your video is awesome by the way.

[@xan4488]

I wanted to say something to the person who’s reading this that, you are amazing :)

[@daskimchen8868]

My leg hair is so dark that it looks black and it's kinda long? I don't want to shave because i don't have a problem with it . It grows so fast that the effort isn't worth it and i don't think it's ugly but im still worried what people in Japan might think

[@BartRovers_]

Lol, "all" bodyhair... Yeah right 😅

[@jupita551]

I gotta buy shoes from japan then! 'Cause in my country (Austria), even childrens size shoes (35) fit me!

[@rsleepy255]

Camera man panning where we all want to see.

[@user-nj8gn6nt2j]

Honestly I don’t like to have hair in my arms so I shave them,but in my country it is not the “average” thing to do because most girls like to keep the hair. Just do what you want to do , fuck beauty standards

[@10000words1]

Always remember, you're teeth are almost certainly better.

[@robheb1355]

Not true about their teeth NO actress has bad teeth and everyone has braces if they can afford them, they like the back fang type of teeth, young girls think it’s neat not adults, but bad teeth is a sad reality for a lot of Japanese

[@ShiraKazamaMishima]

Thanks for you tips

[@RandomDefaultGuy]

MARRY ME INSTEAD, CAT 😂😂 I LOVE YOU, LEAVE JAPAN NOW !

[@Santiago_Handle]

No! She should marry me😣

[@melioras_pheonoraptor8936]

Shaving your arms is pretty normal for people with darker hair as the hair is way more visible.