While there are several clever techniques for staying cool during Japan’s sticky summer, you really can’t overlook the simple tactic of just wearing less clothing. Going shirtless is one option, but unfortunately that pretty much restricts your entertainment options to swimming, boxing, and the two-for-one choice of shark fighting.

On the other hand, shorts and a shirt provide much more social leeway. As with all choices men make, though, it’s imperative to consider the question, “Will women think I look good?” A recent survey asked women to give their opinions on guys showing some leg.

In Japan, it’s not unusual to spot young women going about their daily business in the summer wearing shorts that first glance seem more suited for a night of bumping and grinding in a night club than picking up a carton of ice cream at the supermarket. Not surprisingly, most men have no issues with this fashion choice.

▼ “Seems sensible.” – Every Guy on the Planet

While men’s shorts in Japan thankfully aren’t quite as revealing, several retailers offer styles that cut off quite a bit above the knee, as well as Capri pants for men who want something on the opposite end of the spectrum. Guys aren’t hurting for choices, as documented by men’s magazines that run articles and photo spreads on fashionable yet less than full-length pants options.

A number of women surveyed were happy to welcome guys into the society of bare shins. “We’re allowed to wear skirts made with thin material and sandals in the summer,” said a 35-year-old female IT professional. “It’d be unfair to say guys can’t show their legs. Shorts are a great choice for keeping cool.”

Of course, as a country dotted with hair removal salons for both men and women, it’s natural that some guys would feel self-conscious about their bushy legs. This isn’t always a deal breaker though, as illustrated by the remarks from this 26-year-old saleswoman. “I’m totally OK with seeing a guy’s body hair. Actually, I think it’s kind of cute. It’d be creepy if a man had skin as smooth as mine, so I like a guy who’s a little shaggy.”

▼ We could have gone with a photo of a dude with shaggy leg hair, but some of you might be eating breakfast, so please enjoy this picture of a perplexed sheepdog instead. Awww.

“I actually can’t understand people who have a problem with it,” agreed a 34-year-old publisher. “Hair on his legs just shows that a guy is masculine, as he should be.”

Shorts were less of a hit with the survey’s more fashion-conscious women. One 30-year-old designer expressed her opinion that most guys can’t pull off the look. “It’s hard enough to tie the whole outfit together if you’re on vacation at a resort. If you’re out and about in the city, you really have to put a lot of thought into choosing a shirt with the proper color and pattern to balance the overall effect.”

“My dad always wore shorts on his day off,” explains a 26-year-old businesswoman. “I don’t really want to be reminded of him by a guy I’m on a date with, you know?”

And while we previously mentioned that wearing shorts is far more versatile than going bare-chested, there are still some places where they’re not entirely appropriate. “I wouldn’t want to go to a fancy restaurant with a guy wearing shorts,” answered one 33-year-old advertising coordinator.

The harshest criticisms of all came from a 25-year-old woman employed at a construction firm. “I don’t want to see guys’ legs. If they shave them so much that they’re silky smooth, that’s nasty. I also hate it if their legs are all hairy and shaggy. Plus, some guys’ legs are so skinny that they’ll probably snap if you kick them.”

So, let’s tally our responses.

Number of women who think shorts are OK: 3.
Number of women who think shorts are not OK: 3
Number of women who are hard to please and violent: 1

Following the RocketNews24 protocol of only counting responses from mentally-balanced respondents, we’d say it’s a draw. So while you might want to save the shorts for your more casual dates, you probably don’t need to toss them all in the trash, either. And should you end up on a date with the woman from the construction company, we recommend a pair of shin guards under your slacks.

▼ “So, do you want to eat before the movie, or after?”

Source: Yahoo! Japan