Hygiene issues-- Am I really that disgusting? - In-Depth Adult Life Discussion

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Hygiene issues-- Am I really that disgusting?

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y-pod
Phoenix
Phoenix

Joined: Apr 17, 2010
Posts: 804
Location: Canada

Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2012 6:20 am Post subject:

Everyone's different when it comes to smells. People with more sweat and oil get smelly easier. If you're one of those people with soft fine dry skin you can get away with bathing once a week easily. I have very sensitive nose, and can tell each family member's smell easily and if they're overdue or not. My dad and brother don't smell so great after 2 or 3 days and must shower. My mom smells like dry grass somehow so her smell isn't so offensive. My grandma smells like sweet fruits and the longer she skipped bath the stronger it is. Quite pleasant actually. She can get away with every two weeks. I myself smell like both my mom and grandma, so it's a warm, woodsy sweet smell when I get dirty. I like to shower every other day, though. DH smells like oatmeal cookies. I wish he doesn't shower so much. I do suggest you change clothes more often if you don't bath often. Oh and brush instead of comb your hair to fluff it up a bit so people can't tell you didn't wash it. _________________ Aspie mom to two autistic sons (11 & 9 )

volkerjaan
Hummingbird

Joined: Jun 01, 2012
Age: 32
Posts: 24

Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2012 10:32 am Post subject:

People smell. You can't change it. It's a specific of all carbon-based life forms on earth I've watched Galileo document when the reporter hasn't washed for a week. After medical inspection his skin was healthier - daily shower is harmful for the skin because it destroys the protective bacterias. But he have problem with teetch - they HAVE to be washed at least once a day, at best twice. Teeth replacement is expensive, so it's rational to care about them.

mike_br
Sea Gull

Joined: Apr 23, 2012
Posts: 202

Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2012 11:33 am Post subject:

volkerjaan wrote:

People smell. You can't change it. It's a specific of all carbon-based life forms on earth Wink

That's exactly what bath, soap and deodorants are for. Change people's bad smell (and health issues too. Skin bacteria are far from the only concern in cleaning oneself).

Bad body odour in public is bad, end of story.

I can't even share a table with unclean people. Than again, different strokes for different people/cultures. Very Happy

To the OP, maybe at least a bath before going to meet people? Wink

hanyo
Phoenix
Phoenix

Joined: Oct 01, 2011
Posts: 3458

Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2012 11:41 am Post subject:

Not everyone needs to bathe every day and this society is too obsessed with hygiene and sanitizing their body so much that no natural scents are left.

auntblabby
Chief Assistant to the Assistant Chief
Phoenix

Joined: Feb 13, 2010
Posts: 18240
Location: the island of loveable toy humans

Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2012 3:35 pm Post subject:

hanyo wrote:

Not everyone needs to bathe every day and this society is too obsessed with hygiene and sanitizing their body so much that no natural scents are left.

what is so good about "natural scents"?

Herman
Tufted Titmouse

Joined: Jul 04, 2010
Posts: 48

Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 10:45 pm Post subject:

mike_br wrote:

There are strong cultural values on personal hygiene.

I live in Brazil, and take 2 showers a day, plus I brush at least 2 times as well.

I'd be absolutely disgusted to live with someone who would climb to bed smelling, and drag her by the hair to the shower if needed be (figure of speech, of course). If I smell anything bad on someone, I won't stand near, I don't care how rude I seem to be,

But then that's me and the culture where I came from. Also, I love hot showers, so it's not an ordeal to me.
I suppose you must live like what's comfortable to you and within health limits. Less than a shower per week is unthinkable to me, but culturally acceptable on some places.

Its also very hot in Brazil compared to wear most of us live.

mike_br
Sea Gull

Joined: Apr 23, 2012
Posts: 202

Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2012 3:57 am Post subject:

Herman wrote:

mike_br wrote:

Its also very hot in Brazil compared to wear most of us live.

True that. My views could be a consequence of my cultural/geographic background.

hartzofspace
Red Dragon
Supporting Member

Joined: Apr 15, 2005
Posts: 7577
Location: On the Road Less Traveled

Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 11:12 pm Post subject:

I actually enjoy showering, using different kinds of soaps with lots of lather. We recently repaired our water softener unit, and showers are a really pleasant, sensual experience for me. The water feels so silky on my skin. I recently started using a soap from India called Chandrika soap. Other times I use Castile soap. They don't leave strong scents on the skin, and best of all they don't strip the PH and natural oils from the skin. I cannot stand smelling unpleasant body odor, as my sense of smell is really keen and I can get nauseated easily. I do dislike the first moment of entering the shower, because of sensory issues but after that I am fine. My fiance showers once a day and only soaps his pits and private parts. He doesn't like to disturb the balance of his skin and doesn't like the way soap feels. To each his own, I guess! _________________ Dreams are renewable. No matter what our age or condition, there are still untapped possibilities within us and new beauty waiting to be born. -- Dr. Dale Turner

Shebakoby
Phoenix
Phoenix

Joined: Sep 06, 2009
Age: 40
Posts: 1566

Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2012 4:35 am Post subject:

I can feel when I stink. Usually I shower everyday but sometimes when I'm feeling sick I'll let it go a couple days because I don't feel "dirty enough" (and I'm not leaving the house anyway) and that makes a shower feel more productive when I have it. The opinions of most neurotypicals are that if someone stinks, it is within their rights to bully or shun that person to "teach them to shower". I've never had that problem since I don't let myself go in the presence of others. I've heard delaying showering (or just plain not showering) is also a symptom of depression.

47x
Sea Gull

Joined: Aug 18, 2011
Age: 25
Posts: 209

Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2012 5:11 pm Post subject:

I found that when talking to NTs always say you're showering maybe 5 times/week. Anything less and there will be stares. I don't shower often, maybe one, two days in a week. Everything depends upon my routines, if I'm running or working out showering comes natural. If not, then I see no reason to do it. Brushing my teeth are important, I know. But its something I find to be really hard to accomplice every day. More often than not I actually forget. It try to but it's so hard.

thewhitrbbit
Phoenix
Phoenix

Joined: May 31, 2012
Age: 27
Posts: 2166

Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2012 9:18 pm Post subject:

I enjoy a hot shower in the morning. Very relaxing way to begin the day. I spend about 5-7 minutes in the shower; but get everything clean.

auntblabby
Chief Assistant to the Assistant Chief
Phoenix

Joined: Feb 13, 2010
Posts: 18240
Location: the island of loveable toy humans

Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2012 12:52 am Post subject:

thewhitrbbit wrote:

I enjoy a hot shower in the morning. Very relaxing way to begin the day. I spend about 5-7 minutes in the shower; but get everything clean.

wow

you're efficient thumleft

Bunnynose
Sea Gull

Joined: May 18, 2012
Posts: 200

Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2012 3:24 am Post subject: Re: Hygiene issues-- Am I really that disgusting?

Because nowadays, with nearly everyone having access to water on demand, only the homeless and the truly slovenly aka mentally ill do not maintain regular hygiene. For me, if I let my lack of hygiene go on for five or more days, I'll likely end up like an impoverished version of Howard Hughes, the reclusive billionaire who suffered from OCD, phobias, drug addictions, and possibly AS, and who towards the end of his life seldom bathed, shaved, or cut his hair, finger and toenails.

auntblabby
Chief Assistant to the Assistant Chief
Phoenix

Joined: Feb 13, 2010
Posts: 18240
Location: the island of loveable toy humans

Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2012 3:41 am Post subject: Re: Hygiene issues-- Am I really that disgusting?

Bunnynose wrote:

Because nowadays, with nearly everyone having access to water on demand, only the homeless and the truly slovenly aka mentally ill do not maintain regular hygiene.

For me, if I let my lack of hygiene go on for five or more days, I'll likely end up like an impoverished version of Howard Hughes, the reclusive billionaire who suffered from OCD, phobias, drug addictions, and possibly AS, and who towards the end of his life seldom bathed, shaved, or cut his hair, finger and toenails.

president LBJ was the same way towards the end of his life.