Dirty vs Clean
By worldwise1
@worldwise1 (14885)
United States
December 28, 2007 12:44pm CST
I was leafing through one of the catalogs from one of my book clubs when I came across an interesting book. The title is The Dirt on Clean by Katherine Ashenburg. The review of the book pointed out several interesting facts about our habits when it comes to washing(or not washing). One of them was this: The Egyptians found the Romans dirty and disgusting, even though they habitually took two-hour soaks-because they didn't wash in running water; a historian once described the Middle Ages(relatively accurately), as "one thousand years without a bath." Other interesting facts-Napoleon once wrote a letter to Josephine saying, "I will be back in five days. Stop washing." This book sounds interesting enough to make me want to rush right out and buy it. I am eager to find out about the impact of the Civil War on germ theory, and why Americans are obsessed with smelling like tropical fruit.[smiles]
3 people like this
9 responses
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
28 Dec 07
Funny you said that about baths, I had an old neighbor that never took a bath, he called it "human soup" when people take baths instead of showers..:)
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
29 Dec 07
Ha-ha-ha, carmelanirel! That is really a hoot. Kind of makes the "Saturday night bath" sound like a luxury.
1 person likes this
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
29 Dec 07
Yeah, he was such a fanatic about it, when he built his new home, he didn't include a tub, just a shower. Then he moved, makes me wonder if the new people had to install their own bathtub, because they had little ones, and with little ones, a tub is necessary..
@ctrymuziklvr (11057)
• United States
28 Dec 07
lol....sounds very interesting to me! I'm going to have to check out this book! I love what Napoleon wrote to Josephine....I wonder if he really said that!!!
@lucgeta (924)
• France
28 Dec 07
it's a famous phrase it shows how natural smell can be exciting, many animals depend on pheromones to attract the the other. It is likely that we have that and perfume was invented to improve rather than complete take over.
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
29 Dec 07
I'm in a perfect position to tell you the scoop, ctry, yes, there are people among us who prefer the body's natural scent-so I've heard, lol.
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
28 Dec 07
I have a sister-in-law that I wish smelled like tropical fruit instead of body odor. She rarely bathes and looks it. Her boss had to tell her several times, heard it from another co-worker of hers, that she needed to bathe and wash her hair. I find that to be disgusting. She has the time, her kids are grown and there is no valid excuse for this kind of offensive neglect. My kids won't stand close to her when they happen to run into her while they are out and about. The don't understand how I can but I have no sense of smell so I am safe...lol
1 person likes this
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
29 Dec 07
And I agree with you but what I don't understand is she has a husband. Wouldn't he notice and say something to her? It's repulsive when we have a family get together and there is no excuse for this sort of appearance. She also has children at home and if nothing else, they should suggest an alternative. They aren't babies and her kids are well groomed.
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
29 Dec 07
There could be a number of reasons for your sister-in-law's lapse, carolbee. She might have a slight mental problem and is unaware of her condition. I've heard that people suffering from depression often will neglect their usual grooming habits.
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
29 Dec 07
I never make it to the library, sigma, just order a book when I see one I would like. I will probably end up deciding to buy this one, too.
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
29 Dec 07
I personally can't stand smelling like a tropical fruit but I still wash frequently. I can say in all honesty that I would definitely not tell s/o to stop washing for 5 days. I know what he smells like after 2 days and I won't go near him. Sometimes sleeping on separate couches in his parents' living room is not a bad thing lol.
1 person likes this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
29 Dec 07
I think it is all relative, foxyfire. We want to enjoy one another's company without being bombarded with yucky smells.
@CoffeeAnyone (3210)
• Canada
29 Dec 07
I saw this book in a second hand shop one time. I didn't even open it up to look at it. Now I will be on the look out to find this book again to purchase it. I have met people who refuse to wear deodorant because they say they prefer to smell natural for the good or the bad. I thought it was discus ting because each time the person and body oder. Does anyone else know people who refuses to wear deodorants or perfumes?
1 person likes this
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
29 Dec 07
Sadly yes... and see above. My poor s/o, I just unleash all his little secrets here. He doesn't use deodorant because they and any other perfume like items are prohibited where he works so when he's at home he forgets to put any on.
1 person likes this
@CoffeeAnyone (3210)
• Canada
29 Dec 07
Ya it must be hard for people who can't wear these things at work as the aroma must be hard to take sometimes. I do feel for the people who have an allergy to these things because I know they are probably embarrassed if they do smell. No body likes to be put in that predicament. I was wondering if they were allowed to use the salt rock? Has anyone heard of this? I tried it a few years ago and I really like it a lot. I was amazed that it worked. I was just thinking for people at work there are no fumes to bother patients and possibly those who have allergies may not be bothered by this salt rock and every one can be happy. Of course we would still have the people who don't believe in using deodorants no matter what it is? That is their prerogative.
1 person likes this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
29 Dec 07
Some people, Coffee, are prohibited from wearing deodorants and perfumes due to allergies. I had a cousin that was in this category. I, myself, cannot wear many scents due to allergies and eczema. I cannot even use deodorant soaps. I have to use everything for sensitive skin.
1 person likes this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
28 Dec 07
That sounds like a good book a offer in our myLot Book Club! I'd definitely love to read it, it sounds truly fascinating. "I will be back in five days. Stop washing." Yuck.... I grew up taking baths because we didn't have a shower in our home until I was about 14 and my parents had a second bathroom put in downstairs with just a shower, the bathtub was in the upstairs bathroom. Then, I took showers when I washed my hair - that was sure a huge relief, it was so hard doing that in the tub - but I still preferred a nice hot bubble bath. My husband told me years ago you get cleaner in the shower because in the tub you just soak in the dirty water. That certainly does make sense, doesn't it?
I guess you can count me in as one of those Americans obsessed with smelling like tropical fruit! I have body washes, shampoos, conditioners, and lotions in all of the following - coconut, mango, peach, lavendar, citrus, strawberry and whatever other yummy fragrances I come across at any given time! This isn't tropical, but my daughter got me hooked on her favorite body spray - Cotton Candy Fantasy...UMMMM! Great topic, and it sounds like a great book. Let me know if you get it and read it before I do. In my one-horse town it probably won't be available until 2009!
Annie
1 person likes this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
29 Dec 07
I grew up in an area where the people were impoverished, annie, and many had to carry water quite a distance to their homes. This gave me a great appreciation of the little things in life-like being able to take a bath when you wanted. I do believe that people can become overly obsessed with cleanliness which has led to some of our problems with germs.
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
29 Dec 07
I don't think we're ALL after that goal, lucgeta, but, thankfully, most of us are.
