Saturday Night Bath

http://www.lovethispic.com/image/196371/bath-time

@HazySue (39268)

Gouverneur, New York

October 5, 2019 11:32am CST

When I was a kid and heard that in the olden days people only took a bath once a week on a Saturday night, I couldn't quite understand why that habit changed. I thought it was a pretty good idea. It made me wonder why this little hygiene habit changed somewhere along the way. Then I learned that in Victorian times it was customary to take a bath maybe one a month. Plus, you only had to wash your hair once every few months. Wow. Now it makes me itch to thing about it. I need that jump in the shower every day. It makes me wonder how people could stand themselves let alone other people. I mean, the smell must have been atrocious. Isn't it funny how out viewpoint changes over the years.

15 people like this

14 responses

crazyhorseladycx

@crazyhorseladycx (39509)

• United States

6 Oct 19

well, takin' a bath 'twas most complicated back'n the days prior to plumbin'. dunno how they could stand each other either, i reckon though since such 'twas their 'norm', they didn't pay much mind? perhaps they'd 't least a spit bath? one'd think such 'd be necessary with all those danged clothes they wore back'n the day, eh? no a/c, 14 layers....no thanks! lol.

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@HazySue (39268)

• Gouverneur, New York

9 Oct 19

I would think they would at least have to wash away the sweat. They had to have been hot under all those clothes.

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@HazySue (39268)

• Gouverneur, New York

11 Oct 19

@crazyhorseladycx I didn't know there was such a thing.

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@HazySue (39268)

• Gouverneur, New York

14 Oct 19

@crazyhorseladycx I guess it has become a ritual for them. Go figure.

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@rebelann (112888)

• El Paso, Texas

5 Oct 19

I remember dad making a remark, in jest of course, that no one should have to bathe more than once a year.

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@HazySue (39268)

• Gouverneur, New York

9 Oct 19

I have heard that many people didn't take a bath all winter long. They thought if they didn't they would stay warmer.

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@rebelann (112888)

• El Paso, Texas

9 Oct 19

Well, in olden days it could be that was true @HazySue they didn't have the same heating abilities we have now and in the colder climates it must have been tough to heat enough water for a bath before it'd go cold again. I sure wouldn't want to take a cold bath.

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@HazySue (39268)

• Gouverneur, New York

10 Oct 19

@rebelann Neither would I. I think though that I would be willing to try going to all the trouble to be able to take a bath. But I do understand it would have been an awful chore to get it ready.

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@marguicha (223335)

• Chile

5 Oct 19

Just remember that when you were a kid, there might not be an easy way to fill the bathtub. It depended on where you lived. And in Victorian days, you had to be royalty to have someone do it for you (among other things) Perfume was then used to cover body odors.

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@marguicha (223335)

• Chile

9 Oct 19

@HazySue Probably you would have to start by getting water from the well and heating it.

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@HazySue (39268)

• Gouverneur, New York

11 Oct 19

@marguicha I know it would be a lot of work but...I wonder how they stood the smell of their own body.

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@HazySue (39268)

• Gouverneur, New York

9 Oct 19

I imagine it was a pain but a pain I would be willing to endure to smell nice and clean.

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Valerie J. Routhieaux

@just4him (317090)

• Green Bay, Wisconsin

6 Oct 19

They used a lot of perfume to cover the smell. I'm sure that added to it.

I only took a bath once a week while I was growing up. It took the Navy to change that habit to daily. Now, I couldn't imagine not taking a shower every day.

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Valerie J. Routhieaux

@just4him (317090)

• Green Bay, Wisconsin

11 Oct 19

@HazySue I'm sure it is.

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@HazySue (39268)

• Gouverneur, New York

9 Oct 19

After a day or two I am sure the perfume became overwhelming. I guess it is all in what you are used to.

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@Happy2BeMe (99380)

• Canada

5 Oct 19

And often everybody would share the same wash water.

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@HazySue (39268)

• Gouverneur, New York

9 Oct 19

That's another thing. I would not be a happy camper to be last in line. Even second in line would be stretching it.

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@HazySue (39268)

• Gouverneur, New York

12 Oct 19

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@Happy2BeMe (99380)

• Canada

10 Oct 19

@HazySue Ya that wouldnt be much fun and I wouldn't think you would get very clean either. That is where the saying "Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater" comes from.

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

6 Oct 19

Wow I cannot image once a month. Once a day for me!

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@HazySue (39268)

• Gouverneur, New York

9 Oct 19

Same hear. I can't believe people used to wait so long. The aroma must have been ripe.

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

9 Oct 19

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@TiarasOceanView (70022)

• United States

5 Oct 19

Yes we are spoiled now these days with the washing of us.

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@HazySue (39268)

• Gouverneur, New York

9 Oct 19

I think back to the Victorian times and wonder about head lice. They had to be getting lice if they only washed their had once in a great while.

Belle Starr (Iz)

@BelleStarr (61102)

• United States

6 Oct 19

When I was a kid we pretty much did take a bath once a week but I don't think kids get stinky, just dirty lol I need to wash my hair often but these days not every day since it has gotten dry in my old age!! lol

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@HazySue (39268)

• Gouverneur, New York

9 Oct 19

My girls argued over the bath every day issue but, I won Eventually they looked forward to the feeling of clean.

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@PatZAnthony (14749)

• Charlotte, North Carolina

6 Oct 19

It had to be terrible not to be able to take a bath or shower whenever you wanted to do so. We are spoiled now!

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@HazySue (39268)

• Gouverneur, New York

9 Oct 19

That we are, Actually, they thought nothing of waiting that week or so to get clean.

@Alexandoy (65308)

• Cainta, Philippines

5 Oct 19

I couldn't imagine the odor that emanates from one who takes a bath once a week.

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@HazySue (39268)

• Gouverneur, New York

9 Oct 19

Neither can I. Especially since there was no air conditioning way back then to help ward off the sweat.

@DianneN (247186)

• United States

6 Oct 19

I feel the same. I take a shower after exercising and a bubble bath before climbing into bed at night. I also bathe before going out in the evening. Overkill, but that’s me.

They used a lot of perfume back in those days, but I can’t imagine how itchy they were.

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@JustBhem (70555)

• Davao, Philippines

5 Oct 19

I believe us human becoming smart with time.

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@HazySue (39268)

• Gouverneur, New York

9 Oct 19

It looks like it. I wonder what the thought process was to make them start taking baths more often and changing the water.

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@LindaOHio (179153)

• United States

5 Oct 19

I couldn't handle washing my hair every few months. In medieval times I'm sure it was even worse.

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@HazySue (39268)

• Gouverneur, New York

9 Oct 19

I couldn't either. I can't image how they could stand to be near each other.

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@Janet357 (75646)

•

6 Oct 19

what? oh my! a day without a bath makes my scalp so itchy along with my body.

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@HazySue (39268)

• Gouverneur, New York

9 Oct 19

It does me too. I need that soap and water on a regular daily basis.