DON'T SHAVE IT!

Pfft, what a bunch of pussies! Wax it man. I do it all the time, once or twice every 4-5 months. And the hair grows less every time after that. (ohh and I do it myself... 10$ wax kit at your local pharmacy) - after your third time, you'll barely feel the pain. Only place that it still hurts a bit is below the belly button - but who cares.. everyone has to suffer to look good.

If you shave it, you basically cut right in the middle of the hair, then it grows back from the place you cut it... will eventually grow thicker - you wouldn't want that problem on your hands now do you?

You could look into laser SPAM. One or two SPAM should suffice to kill the darker hairs.

Also, make sure to cut it to about 1 cm length before waxing - it'll be easier.

So don't shave it, wax it. Trust me, I've done it both ways, and I hate myself for shaving.

ugh, why to remove chest hair at all?

I know right....chest hair and gold chains is where its at lol.

On topic. I just have the normal bit of chest hair, and so does my brother. My brother waxed his chest and I will NEVER do it. He has turned into a real bear since waxing.

Lazer SPAM is always an option.

Its getting much more affordable these days.

Also...if your body is getting better, well done. If its not, but youre getting more confident, thats still great. Well on mate.

I heard of a great product, its called Kalo. My friend tried it and said its awesome. It's natural and thins the hair, so it will grow back but less and not as thick. Do that, let it grow then people see you without as much hair but it doesnt look like you shaved it... gradually do it and it wont be as sudden. I think its a little expensive but look it up. I would do it because I havebody hair, but i think shaving may be a DLV... that's my only dilemna, I live with my parents(im 17) so it would be weird. idk

http://www.nisim.com/Kalo/c4/p28/Kalo/pages.html

dont shave, it looks bad~!

I can't believe no one added threading or burning! (joking! don't do it!!)
Their are tons of ways you can remove the hair you don't want. I can tell you guys that when you buzz it, 9 times out of 10 it doesn't feel nice to us ladies. Ever been with a girl that let it go for a couple of days? It feels like sandpaper. We spend a LOT of time removing hair from all over ourselves, exfoliating, scrubbing, scrapping, oiling, and lots of other things you guys probably don't want to know about so that we can feel great to the touch for you. When you do that, it feels terrible on us and personally, I think 'why did I bother?' (the one exception is if you have VERY fine, light colored hair and you don't buzz it really short)
It doesn't grow back thicker, but it isn't as soft because you have hacked off that nice, smooth top part.
Waxing is painful the first few times. You will start to get tougher skin, it isn't apparent, but the pain is less. Some of the roots will come out every time so you have less hair that will grow back. It will be completely smooth for about a week and you will notice a few bits of stubble. Don't shave them! Let it grow back out. You hair should be at least 1/4" when you are waxing. (hey, if WE can get a Brazilian waxing, YOU can wax your back!! Just sayin')
Then there are the creme removers that have been mentioned. These are really easy to use, but again, the longer the hair, the better the result. The ones that have the exfoliating sponge seem to work best for me, but everyone is different. Don't leave it on longer than it says, that is where the itching regrowth comes from. You've irritated the pore too much.
There is also the more expensive route of lasers. It takes quite a few trips to get perfect results, as far as I've read. I have never tried it, though.
As far as your reputation is concerned, if you are as hairy as you say you are, they will probably be thinking about doing it themselves.
Some women prefer hairy, just so you know...