Do you still use a handkerchief?
@lordwarwizard (35747)
Singapore
August 28, 2008 11:52am CST
A handkerchief (also called handkercher or hanky) is a form of a kerchief, typically a square of fabric that can be carried in the pocket, for personal hygiene purposes such as wiping one's hands or blowing one's nose, but also used as a decorative accessory in a suit pocket. Now that was from Wikipedia.
In the past, people spent a lot of effort choosing the perfect handkerchief to represent themselves. It is also not uncommon for female lovers to embroider exquisite patterns on their halves' hankies. Nowadays though, handkerchiefs have been somewhat phased out. We use more of the modern alternative - tissue papers or kin.
If I am bringing along a bag, I would normally put some tissue papers inside. I find them handy for a host of situations. What about you? Do you still use handkerchiefs? Or have you switched to tissue papers? Or have you taken to surreptitiously wiping on your sleeves? Or...? Do share your thoughts! :D
19 people like this
109 responses
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
29 Aug 08
Wet tissues? Yes. The ones for cleaning baby buttocks? Lol 
We have those special types for the face only. I bought 2 packets to use the last time I returned to army camp for training. When you run around in the grime, you really feel a sense of perverse satisfaction as you wipe all the dirt from your face - you can see the wet tissue turn black and pucky. 
We have those special types for the face only. I bought 2 packets to use the last time I returned to army camp for training. When you run around in the grime, you really feel a sense of perverse satisfaction as you wipe all the dirt from your face - you can see the wet tissue turn black and pucky. 1 person likes this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
3 Sep 08
Did you say cute looking? Then it is more for ladies.
1 person likes this
@cyberfluf (4996)
• Netherlands
29 Aug 08
Due to allergy reasons it would be good to have one to take along as I do sneeze a lot and hardly anything comes out, but it would be more hygenic to sneeze in a hanky. I wouldn't like the thought of blowing my nose in it and having to put it back in my pocket though, I deffinatly would go for tissue papers there.
Also hygene reasons I guess.
I try never to use my sleeves as I work with children and they copy EVERYTHING!
You learn a lot about bad habits when working with children, lol, you see all of them reflected.
2 people like this
@cyberfluf (4996)
• Netherlands
29 Aug 08
LOL, trying to make the world a better place 
.
.1 person likes this
@ElicBxn (63594)
• United States
1 Sep 08
I don't do handkerchiefs. I had a friend who used one and I thought it was disgusting. My mom used tissues and we had to always check her pockets.
I guess I use tissues when I need to, but I'm careful to throw them away, Even if I miss the trash can I'll pick it up and put it in and not leave them to be found by others the hard way.
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@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
2 Sep 08
Sometimes when we forget to take out the tissues before the washing, the result can be quite messy lol.
1 person likes this
@Maggiepie (7816)
• United States
4 Sep 08
LOL! You KNOW I had to laugh when I read that. Of course I know to whom you're referring. But he was a slob, really, honking into it then stuffing it back loosely into his pocket (all together now, "Eeeeewwwww!!!"), presumably to use it again, next time he felt clogged. (I guess in charity, I DO have to admit he needed one more often then most, having a problem with his malformed septum, BUT...ick)
But a GENTLEMAN can use on & make it look like a _nicety._ One simply hides the offending object after use, then it never sees the light of day again 'til it's been washed!
Thinking back, I used to love it in old movies when a gentleman would hand a lady one to dab her weeping eyes, then tell her to keep it. LOL! Boy are THOSE days gone!
Maggiepie
2 people like this
@mysdianait (66009)
• Italy
28 Aug 08
I may be old-fashioned (but that's my problem anyway 
) because I prefer hankies. I have one in every bag and every pocket 'just in case'. If I have a cold, using tissues makes my nose look like I'm looking to replace the red-nosed reindeer whereas hankies are much softer. I am also a very emotional person and tissues are no good at the end of a weepy film, or at the airport when loved ones depart - they just don't deal with tears.
I bought a pack of eight individual packs of tissues years ago and put one pack in my bag - the other seven are still there.
So it's hankies for me (and they are so easy to iron while the iron is heating up, make less waste, and more hygienic cos I'm not throwing my germs anywhere cos I take them home 
)
) because I prefer hankies. I have one in every bag and every pocket 'just in case'. If I have a cold, using tissues makes my nose look like I'm looking to replace the red-nosed reindeer whereas hankies are much softer. I am also a very emotional person and tissues are no good at the end of a weepy film, or at the airport when loved ones depart - they just don't deal with tears.
I bought a pack of eight individual packs of tissues years ago and put one pack in my bag - the other seven are still there.
So it's hankies for me (and they are so easy to iron while the iron is heating up, make less waste, and more hygienic cos I'm not throwing my germs anywhere cos I take them home )@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
29 Aug 08
Nah, not a problem at all. "Old" is dear.
But geez, don't you think tissues (if you have "enough" of them) are more practical? How much space is there on a hanky? I am assuming you don't bring along more than one on a day out...
But geez, don't you think tissues (if you have "enough" of them) are more practical? How much space is there on a hanky? I am assuming you don't bring along more than one on a day out...1 person likes this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
29 Aug 08
Ok... I am assuming you put them in your handbag?
For guys, maybe that would not be too practical since we usually have our pockets to rely on only. And as I am sure you know, there are already many things we "should" be having about us and I personally don't even have space for tissues (which is why I mentioned I only bring them if I have a bag with me). Imagine a few hankies in my pockets!
1 person likes this
@mysdianait (66009)
• Italy
29 Aug 08
If a day out involves an airport or a concert by the band in which my son plays drums then I take more than one hanky. The last visit to the vets with my cat too was an example of a time when only hankies were of any use 
I told you, I am very weepy 
and a load of wet, soggy tissues are very inconvenient in pockets or up your sleeve. Only a good stock of hankies can deal with the rivers of tears when I am happy or sad 
I told you, I am very weepy and a load of wet, soggy tissues are very inconvenient in pockets or up your sleeve. Only a good stock of hankies can deal with the rivers of tears when I am happy or sad 1 person likes this
@Maggiepie (7816)
• United States
4 Sep 08
I do, on occasion. When I do, I prefer the girlie-girl, lacy, delicate & oh-so-daintily-embroidered ones.
When I'm alone, though, it's any old piece of what the Japanese call "nose paper."
Maggiepie
@Maggiepie (7816)
• United States
4 Sep 08
Well I KNEW you had a S.O.H. /o) Still don't care for you, but at least you have THAT. (I found this response AFTER my other post)
Maggiepie
@rogue13xmen13 (14403)
• United States
29 Aug 08
I did back in Sea Cadets, but not now. A lot of times my allergies, and when I have Bronchitis, are so bad that a handkerchief just would not handle it. Also, it is not very hygenic, even if it is my own germs, I do not want to pass my germs to other people.
2 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
29 Aug 08
Sure, when I was weeny, I think I used them too. Mummy will stuff one in my pocket though she won't be unhappy if it came home clean.
1 person likes this
@mimpi1911 (25464)
• India
29 Aug 08
Hi wizzy
I do not use handkerchiefs. I never used to. I carry tissues with me, that serves the purpose. I am not a kerchief person generally. I hardly require them actually. Only when its sweaty outside.
2 people like this
@slickcut (8141)
• United States
29 Aug 08
I do not use handkerchiefs any more,i use tissue..I do have some handkerchiefs though from my aunts & mother that i have saved over the years.I have them stored in some chest but i do not use them anymore..I know my dad always used mens hankerchiefs and alsways had one anytime but that was years ago and he has since passed away..I do remember them quite well & cherish the ones i have from the past...My grandmother use to embrodery & decorate them..
2 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
29 Aug 08
Yea, just keep them for keepsake. Tissues are more practical.
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
28 Aug 08
My dad still uses a handkerchief. He's the only one that I know of that still uses them. Mom and I wash them in the washing machine and dry them on the clothes line or the dryer and fold them up into tiny little squares and put them in his underwear drawer. He's used them all of his life and being he's 77 now, he'll use them till the end of his days here on earth.
2 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
29 Aug 08
I hope the price of tissue would drop so that it is both practical and economical to use.
@magojordan (3252)
• Philippines
29 Aug 08
Yes I still do because they are more durable and less expensive in the long run. Also I think it's more practical to use them because tissues are so thin and they don't absorb all the sweat. Also handkerchiefs are always handy when I perform magic tricks. 
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
29 Aug 08
Yea... and more environmentally friendly too as someone pointed out earlier...
1 person likes this
@razor123 (979)
• India
29 Aug 08
Ohh yes yes i do carry my handkerchif (hanky) when ever i go out without fail. Its a good practice to follow always and good manners too.
'm not so particular about whether the hanky matches my clothes or looks great. So long as i have one I'm happy. but i would not take a gals hanky and roam about since I'm a male
Tissue papers are expensive in my country so most use hanky's. I have seen many people wash their hands and wipe it on their pants or rinse their mouth and then rub it against their sleve's. It looks so disgusting. Also some rub their nose and wipe it against their shirt and so on.
So i prefer a handkerchif always as it shows good manners too.
Tissue papers are expensive in my country so most use hanky's. I have seen many people wash their hands and wipe it on their pants or rinse their mouth and then rub it against their sleve's. It looks so disgusting. Also some rub their nose and wipe it against their shirt and so on.
So i prefer a handkerchif always as it shows good manners too. 2 people like this
@nannacroc (4049)
•
28 Aug 08
I've changed to tissue as ladies hankies were never big enough for anything but show. I also think tissue is more hygienic. Mr Croc still insists on using hankies though.
@suruchi86 (1873)
• India
29 Aug 08
Yes I still use the good old hankys. In fact, after using them since my childhood, it has become such an habit that I can't do away with them. I keep them always in my pocket or bag, whatever I'm carrying. This habit of mine is so deep routed that I feel awkward when I forget to carry hanky with me. Though after increase in use of tissue paper or napkins, I still wipe my hands and face with hanky after cleaning them with tissue paper.
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
29 Aug 08
Well, if the habit is a good one, then it is a rocking good thing.
@bbsr13 (4196)
• India
28 Aug 08
Hello,Lord! I am living in a hot city where sweats come on the body for most of the period of the year.So I need always a handkerchief to wipe out the sweats from the face else i feel much uncomfortable.Besides after eating I have to wash my hands and so I need the handkerchief to wipe the water from hands.It also helps in carrying some stuff from the market if I have no beg with me.thanx.
2 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
29 Aug 08
Humid too, eh? It can be uncomfortably hot over here too!
@aidenw (632)
• United States
28 Aug 08
funny i just responded to a similar discussion! when i was a kid i used hankies. my mom would always make sure to include one with my school clothes. when i was in college no one used hankies so i stopped using them too.
i only bring tissue with me when i have a cold or allergy (like right now) but sometimes i do forget. so in that case i'd just have to sniffle until i can find a public restoom to blow my nose. my sleeves would come in handy too on occasion, which is better than blowing a snot rocket and making a big mess hahaha!
2 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
29 Aug 08
Oh yea? Life is full of funny things. Otherwise we would drop a letter and call it hell. Or is it? 
@playmateshorty (365)
• United States
29 Aug 08
ahhhh i never used one, but i would probably benefit from using one, i'd probably save about 1000 trees instead of wasting paper towels!
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
29 Aug 08
Oops, you said it. Now I feel so environmentally unfriendly. 
1 person likes this
