How many times in a week do you shower?

[gravenewworld]

Why do people shower everyday? This is only a recent phenomena. People didn't shower everyday until the 1900s. I cut back from showering everyday to showering every other day and it has made my skin much better. I mean if I sweat or workout, I'll shower afterwords. But why is there such a dumb social stigma about not showering everyday? My one roommate in college would shower almost 15-20 times per week.

[turbo]

In the summer, every day. In the winter, every two days, usually. Never longer than two days, though.

[leoneri]

My record is one week without shower. And a friend of mine proudly said that he didn't had a shower for 20 days.. (and yes, he has soap, towel, and access to bathroom) LOL.

[Noxide]

14 times a week
and no I don't spread them out evenly
I treat my showers like my assignments
14 showers on sunday night

[TheStatutoryApe]

Usually once a day. Occasionally if I am in a hurry and slept in I will skip on my shower and on my days off when I am just sitting at home by myself I usually don't worry about it much. My skin and hair both tend to get very oily though so I pretty much need a shower every day or I will look like a greasy bum.

[Sorry!]

I take one to two showers a day... I wash my hair once every other day though. The days I take two showers I'm probably going out somewhere or I just stand in the water for 30 minutes :smile:

[humanino]

My mother would shower the cats at least once a week. Some actually liked it. Most of them would eventually get used to it. Maybe once I grow up, I will hate showering.

[ideasrule]

Usually once or twice a week. I'm not athletic, so this is more than enough.

For people who play sports on a regular basis, I can't imagine not showering once every day.

[Sorry!]

Usually once or twice a week. I'm not athletic, so this is more than enough.

For people who play sports on a regular basis, I can't imagine not showering once every day.

Once or twice a week are you serious? I remember working with people who thought it was normal to shower this often they smelt so bad. It was rediculous.

[DaveC426913]

I am not athletic but I shower every day. (OK, while I'm doing reno, I may skip the occasional cleaning-up routine).

I am not sure I'd want to sit around a table with anyone who doesn't shower daily.

[mcknia07]

I shower, at least once a day. Sometimes more, depending on what I did that day.

[gravenewworld]

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/eid/vol7no2/larson.htm

Bathing or showering cleans the skin by mechanical removal of bacteria shed on corneocytes. Bacterial counts are at least as high or higher after bathing or showering with a regular soap than before. Frequent bathing has aesthetic and stress-relieving benefits but serves little microbiologic purpose. Mild, nonantimicrobial soap should suffice for routine bathing. Bathing with an antimicrobial product reduces rates of cutaneous infection and could be beneficial when skin infections are likely or before certain surgical procedures. With those exceptions, available data do not support a recommendation for bathing with antimicrobial products.



From the public health perspective, more frequent use of current hygiene practices may not necessarily be better (i.e., perhaps sometimes clean is "too clean"), and the same recommendations cannot be applied to all users or situations. Future investigation is likely to improve understanding of the interaction between skin physiology, microbiology, and ecology and the role of the skin in the transmission of infectious diseases.

[DaveC426913]

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/eid/vol7no2/larson.htm

None of this addresses B.O.

[gravenewworld]

None of this addresses B.O.

Put on deodorant.

[Noxide]

put on deodorant.

pwned

[mcknia07]

pwned

Where's the "like" button when you need it??

[jtbell]

I usually shower once a day, or (usually on weekends) take a bath if I have time to soak and read a couple of magazines. In the winter I can get away with skipping one day, but my hair gets greasy. (I sometimes joke that I ought to join OPEC because of my facial and hair oil. :yuck:) If I'm going to wash my hair I might as well take a shower.

On days when I don't shower or bathe, I at least use soap and a washcloth on "crucial" areas.

[DaveC426913]

Put on deodorant.
Sure. And your socks will last for a few days' wearing if you spray them with Febreze instead of washing em.

I think the only smell worse than B.O. is that of B.O. covered with a slathering of deoderant.

[russ_watters]

Winter, once a day, summer, twice a day, typically.
Why do people shower everyday? *12 hours after you shower, stick your nose into your armit and inhale. You'll know. This is only a recent phenomena. People didn't shower everyday until the 1900s. Nor did they live past 30, on average...
But why is there such a dumb social stigma about not showering everyday? People dislike body odor. I don't consider that dumb. BO is one of the most disgusting odors there is. Put on deodorant. *Ok, make that 18 hours. Deodorant is a daily necessity, just like showering, but it doesn't last longer than a day, and it only covers normal body scents - it does nothing for BO itself. BO is the smell of bacteria decomposing your sweat, like a week of standing water in a gutter, or what's growing on that food you left in your sink all week.

[gravenewworld]

Winter, once a day, summer, twice a day, typically.
12 hours after you shower, stick your nose into your armit and inhale. You'll know. Nor did they live past 30, on average...
People dislike body odor. I don't consider that dumb. BO is one of the most disgusting odors there is.

Riiiiiiiiight, because discoveries of things like penicillin or the eradication of small pox played no role in increasing the average life expectancy. What does average life expectancy pre-1930s have to do with showering?

If you aren't sweating, BO is controllable with a daily application of deodorant. We aren't talking about going a week without a shower here. Maybe just 1 day.

[russ_watters]

Riiiiiiiiight, because discoveries of things like penicillin or the eradication of small pox played no role in increasing the average life expectancy. What's average life expectancy pre-1930s have to do with showering? The doubling of life expectancy last century had much more to do with hygeine/sanitation than it did medicine. If you aren't sweating, BO is controllable with a daily application of deodorant. People do not ever stop sweating. We aren't talking about going a week without a shower here. Maybe just 1 day. You said two days in the OP and in any case, implied that even this might be more than necessary with your tone. In the winter, that might be ok, in the summer definitely not. Most people's armpits and feet sweat enough that they smell noticeably in just a few hours.

But the other reason I shower every day is I hate the feeling of being unclean. That sticky feeling stale sweat has on your armpits and feet, the grease from dying sweat on your forhead - it's disgusting.

[DaveC426913]

Riiiiiiiiight, because discoveries of things like penicillin or the eradication of small pox played no role in increasing the average life expectancy. What's average life expectancy pre-1930s have to do with showering?
I don't think he was suggesting a direct cause and effect. But there's definitely a correlation between health and hygiene.



If you aren't sweating, BO is controllable with a daily application of deodorant. We aren't talking about going a week without a shower here. Maybe just 1 day.
Everyone sweats several pounds every day. No exceptions.

And yes, it's controllable. And yes maybe here & there. But by habit??

Anyway, I say we just agree to disagree. It's not like you're going to hell over it. :wink:

[Zubin]

I don't see the big issue with showering daily... If you're efficient you can shower "properly" in just a few minutes. I usually shower in the morning and brush my teeth in the shower while the water washes off all the soap.

[TheStatutoryApe]

Riiiiiiiiight, because discoveries of things like penicillin or the eradication of small pox played no role in increasing the average life expectancy. What's average life expectancy pre-1930s have to do with showering?

Might have been better to point out that pre 1900s in door plumbing was a luxury that not many people had. The plumbing that they did have was not very reliable and there was also the issue of making sure to have clean water to drink let alone bath in. I think most people from that era would be horrified at the quantity of water the average American puts down the drain taking a shower.

[DaveC426913]

I don't see the big issue with showering daily... If you're efficient you can shower "properly" in just a few minutes. I usually shower in the morning and brush my teeth in the shower while the water washes off all the soap.

While i am definitely on the "once a day" thing, there is a down-side to washing too often*; it's just a matter of where the sweet spot is between too little and too much.


*washing too often tends to strip the natural oils from the body and the hair. This will dry out the skin and hyperstimulate the oil glands.

[Sorry!]

While i am definitely on the "once a day" thing, there is a down-side to washing too often*; it's just a matter of where the sweet spot is between too little and too much.


*washing too often tends to strip the natural oils from the body and the hair. This will dry out the skin and hyperstimulate the oil glands.

That's why I only wash my hair once every other day.

[DaveC426913]

I think most people from that era would be horrified at the quantity of water the average American puts down the drain taking a shower.
Actually, I think most people from this era would be horrified at the quantity of water the average American puts down the drain.


Quick poll: do you shut off the tap while brushing your teeth?

[drankin]

Why do people shower everyday? This is only a recent phenomena. People didn't shower everyday until the 1900s. I cut back from showering everyday to showering every other day and it has made my skin much better. I mean if I sweat or workout, I'll shower afterwords. But why is there such a dumb social stigma about not showering everyday? My one roommate in college would shower almost 15-20 times per week.

Ever noticed how old 1900s era architecture had such high ceilings and wide open areas where people congregated? My hunch is that it was directly related to the lack of bathing in those days.

I bath every morning. The main reason is because I have an oily head. The rest of me could go a few days. If there was a bathing fixture that I could easily stuff my head into and wash it, I would shower a lot less. Sinks don't work for me.

[Proton Soup]

http://www.jneurosci.org/cgi/content/full/27/6/1261

[russ_watters]

I don't think he was suggesting a direct cause and effect. But there's definitely a correlation between health and hygiene. Yes - it was half just pointing out the uselessness of a comment that people didn't shower as much pre-1900. So what if they didn't? That doesn't mean they shouldn't have. I could have also pointed out that they didn't drive cars either, but I wanted an example that had some relevance to the topic...

In any case, I certainly wouldn't say that bathing itself can be considered the key to the doubling of life expectancy, but sanitation in general was perhaps 2/3 and non-sanitation improvements in medicine 1/3. Bathing itself (including doctors washing their hands) was a significant, but unquantifiable part of a revolution that included running water, waste/trash management, cleaning, food preservation, etc.
Here's a good link, but there's tons available via google: http://www.haciendapub.com/faria5.html
In the Middle Ages, the average human life expectancy did not reach into the teen years, not only because of the extremely high perinatal mortality that heavily skewed the data, but also because Europeans (and much of the world during this time) lived in an unhealthy milieu of filth, poor hygiene, and nearly non-existent sanitation. Superstition and ignorance, along with pestilential diseases and vermin infestation, were rampant. Epidemic and endemic diseases such as the bubonic plague, typhus, variola (smallpox), and the White Death of tuberculosis (consumption) took a heavy toll on the population, both young and old.

During the Middle Ages until the mid-nineteenth century cleanliness was just not a priority. The streets in those days were dumping grounds for refuse, and domestic animals including hogs roamed the streets. According to medical historian Howard W. Haggard: "Refuse from the table was thrown on the floor to be eaten by the dog and cat or to rot among the rushes and draw swarms of flies from the stable. The smell of the open cesspool in the rear of the house would have spoiled your appetite, even if the sight of the dining room had not."(2)

There was little improvement in this dire, unhealthy milieu until the mid- to late nineteenth century when the advances of the aforementioned Industrial Revolution and the discovery of the germ theory of disease brought about public health measures that, building upon the importance of good hygiene and sanitation, culminated in the rise of the scientific era of medicine.

[TheStatutoryApe]

*washing too often tends to strip the natural oils from the body and the hair. This will dry out the skin and hyperstimulate the oil glands.

I used to have a pretty bad problem with acne. When I was living in my car for a bit I was not able to keep showering reliably. I found that when I was just rinsing my face off or wiping off the excess oils instead of washing and scrubbing it daily my acne cleared up. I've had virtually no problem with it since. I think I was over drying my skin with the soap.

[DaveC426913]

http://www.jneurosci.org/cgi/content/full/27/6/1261

Well, there's your answer!

See, I'm married. I've got to shower. If I ran around changing the cortisol levels of every woman I passed by, it'd be a nightmare!

[cronxeh]

If you dont want to smell, shave all your hair, armpit hair included. I shower once a day or every other day, and only because I feel like other people are dirty and their stench sticks to me. People sneeze, rub their face and spread all those germs all over door knobs, handles, coffee makers, etc. Truly disgusting.

[GeorginaS]

Put on deodorant.

pwned

Where's the "like" button when you need it??

Not sure I want to share an office with or dine next to any of you. That's like telling a woman to just apply more perfume. Oh, goody.

[GeorginaS]

If you dont want to smell, shave all your hair, armpit hair included.

Evidently you're not female. Because, if you were, you'd understand that the absence of underarm hair does not deter an unpleasant odour from accumulating there.

[berkeman]

pwned

Translation for the rest of us:

corruption of the word "Owned." This originated in an online game called Warcraft, where a map designer misspelled "owned." When the computer beat a player, it was supposed to say, so-and-so "has been owned."

Instead, it said, so-and-so "has been pwned."

It basically means "to own" or to be dominated by an opponent or situation, especially by some god-like or computer-like force.
"Man, I rock at my job, but I still got a bad evaluation. I was pwned."

OR

"That team totally pwned us."

[hypatia]

In winter I shower every other day. But in summer, I can shower up to 2 times a day. You know its really hot if its a 3 shower day.

[union68]

I'm nearly certain that some people are completely impervious to their own stench. We've all met people who left us wondering, "How can they NOT smell that?!!?"

I shower once a day. On days with physical activity, it's two times. No exceptions.


I think the only smell worse than B.O. is that of B.O. covered with a slathering of deoderant.

I agree with this. Even worse is that dreadful Axe or Tag spray **** that some men substitute for a decent shower.

[magpies]

Ok hows this for awful I dont use soap or shampoo... Only time I use shampoo is if im going to get a haircut.

I also dont brush my teeth at all.

[leroyjenkens]

I shower every two days. I don't stink and don't feel gross, so I don't shower every day. I even still smell the aroma of the soap I used two days ago if I smell my skin. Even my clothes still smell almost newly washed after two days. It's a waste of water to shower so much.
Someone must have some overactive glands for them to need to shower every single day.

[BobG]

I tend to eat meat, so I shower every day - plus after working out.

I have started eating a lot more white meat and not so much red meat, so maybe I could change my showering habits - especially living in such a dry climate for last decade.

The Effect of Meat Consumption on Body Odor Attractiveness (http://chemse.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/31/8/747)

[xxChrisxx]

Well at the moment it's been 4 days without a shower. Scrubbing yourself down using a flannel in the sink just isn't the same. I'll be really glad when the builders have finished, we're getting a power shower, so it'll be 10 showers a day for me.

Normally I would shower every day, as I have oily skin.

[GeorginaS]

It's been my experience that, on average, men moreso than women, generate a stale-skin scent while sleeping. I don't know if it's because they sweat or what. But men who generally sleep alone need to change their bedsheets more often than women who generally sleep alone and men tend to wake up a cloud of that stale scent around them. If you're exempt from that leroyjenkens, then I'd say, from anecdotal experience, that you're the exception.

Notwithstanding the fact that I'm not male, I shower every day because I feel better.

Caveat to that: really lazy weekend days when I don't even leave my home, sometimes don't bother getting dressed for the whole day, and don't see another human being, are days that I'll not shower. The day after that, though, I absolutely must.

[fluidistic]

I shower everyday when I go to university and once in 2 days when I'm in vacations, like now. It's summer by the way. My head hair becomes really oilly if I don't. (and all my face also)
My girlfriend showers twice a week aproximately. Her hair is almost never oilly, nor can I smell any sweat from her.

[DaveC426913]

If you dont want to smell, shave all your hair, armpit hair included.What does body hair have to do with smelling? The odor comes from the urea exuded from your pores and the bacteria that live off it...

[cronxeh]

What does body hair have to do with smelling? The odor comes from the urea exuded from your pores and the bacteria that live off it...

The fact is that the odor comes from bacteria. Bacteria attempt to grow on your skin but are usually competing with your natural skin bacteria (mine, by the way, do not cause odor - I have trained them). Hence, most of the odor causing bacteria are on the armpit hair, and all your chest hair.

I know this to be a fact because I have shaved my armpit hair in the past, and never had the odor for entire day. With the hair I'm lucky to last 10 hours before I start to smell it

[DaveC426913]

I know this to be a fact because I have shaved my armpit hair in the past, and never had the odor for entire day. With the hair I'm lucky to last 10 hours before I start to smell itYou have a funny idea of what a fact is. I'm not sure that would pass for a fact around my parents' dinner table, let alone on PF. :uhh:

[cronxeh]

You have a funny idea of what a fact is.

Do I sense a counter-argument there, a bit of cherry-flavored fact finding link? Or perhaps a stench of defeat in a cynical statement.

[leroyjenkens]

It's been my experience that, on average, men moreso than women, generate a stale-skin scent while sleeping. I don't know if it's because they sweat or what. But men who generally sleep alone need to change their bedsheets more often than women who generally sleep alone and men tend to wake up a cloud of that stale scent around them. If you're exempt from that leroyjenkens, then I'd say, from anecdotal experience, that you're the exception.
Stale skin scent? That's a new one to me. I don't even know what that would smell like.
My skin smells fine after two days. My deodorant even lasts for that long, so most of the time I don't have to reapply any.
Sometimes I may have to change my clothes every day, depending on where I go. They pick up the smell of where I was the day before. Like at my friend's smoky house, my clothes will pick that up and I can smell it really well, but my skin doesn't pick it up. My hair might, but it's not long enough to reach my nose so I can smell it.
What does body hair have to do with smelling? The odor comes from the urea exuded from your pores and the bacteria that live off it...
There's a lot more surface area for them to subsist on in hair. Getting rid of the hair won't get rid of the smell, but it will make it better.
It's like the smell of a long haired dog vs the smell of a short haired dog.

[DaveC426913]

Stale skin scent? That's a new one to me. I don't even know what that would smell like.
Well, the rest of us do.
My skin smells fine after two days.
Please see post 38 (http://physicsforums.com/showpost.php?p=2530797&postcount=38).

My deodorant even lasts for that long, so most of the time I don't have to reapply any.
No really, please see post 38 (http://physicsforums.com/showpost.php?p=2530797&postcount=38).

[BobG]

What the internet needs is a "scent cam" that would allow odors to be passed over the internet. It's the only way some of these claims could actually be resolved.

In my case, I can at least provide an expert description of my odors, because I smell like KISS Fragrance for Men (http://www.strangenewproducts.com/2006/05/kiss-fragrance-for-men.html):

KISS fragrances have the smell of success for us....and for all the men and women who will wear it. These fragrances hit all the right notes and will top the charts in no time."

It's an odor presumably obtained by taking underarm samples from all four members after performances and combining them in a secret proportionate mix that provides the ultimate manly fragrance.

[Dembadon]

Every evening. I usually go for a run or a ride at lunch, so when I get home I need a shower.

Once in a while a Saturday will pass without me showering.

[leroyjenkens]

Well, the rest of us do.

Please see post 38 (http://physicsforums.com/showpost.php?p=2530797&postcount=38).


No really, please see post 38 (http://physicsforums.com/showpost.php?p=2530797&postcount=38).

When I stink, I can smell it.

[Proton Soup]

The fact is that the odor comes from bacteria. Bacteria attempt to grow on your skin but are usually competing with your natural skin bacteria (mine, by the way, do not cause odor - I have trained them). Hence, most of the odor causing bacteria are on the armpit hair, and all your chest hair.

I know this to be a fact because I have shaved my armpit hair in the past, and never had the odor for entire day. With the hair I'm lucky to last 10 hours before I start to smell it

it's not simply a matter of sweat, it's the type of sweat glands in the area. the watery secretion you get from most sweat glands doesn't cause much smell, as there's little for the bacteria to feed on. but as you hit puberty, the apocrine glands in the pits and genito-anal area start secreting a more viscous sweat with fats and proteins (and pheromonal steroids, apparently) and this is what the bacteria feed on. without hair, you probably just have an easier time cleaning.

but this hits another area that might be worth mentioning. for those nerds that don't like bathing, just washing your pits and bottom with a bit of soap to remove the apocrine secretions will take care of most of the offense you give others.

[DaveC426913]

When I stink, I can smell it.

How do you know? All you know is that when your stink crosses a certain threshold, you can smell it. But you do not know where your theshold is.

The general opinion is that most people have the threshold for thier own stink set pretty high. (It is the same reason bad breath abounds - people are actually unable to smell their own bad breath without making some deliberate attempts to do so.)

[leroyjenkens]

How do you know? All you know is that when your stink crosses a certain threshold, you can smell it. But you do not know where your theshold is.
The burden of proof is on you to prove the existance of the threshold. I'm not going to assume it exists.
I can see how you can get used to a house smell. You know how some people's houses smell different than others. I've noticed my clothes pick up the smell of any house I've been in the day before, especially if they're smokers. You can get used to the smell and not notice it on you. At my house, I don't notice a smell. Maybe other people can smell it on me, but I guess since I'm used to it, I don't notice it. Or there may not be any house smell at all on me.
But I don't see how you can get used to a stink coming from yourself unless you stink all the time. Because the moment you took a shower, you would notice the stink is gone and would notice it come back.
Also, why would your threshold for your own smell be high, but the threshold for someone elses smell be low? If you stink and someone else stinks just as bad as you, would you only notice their stink? That doesn't make sense.
The general opinion is that most people have the threshold for thier own stink set pretty high. (It is the same reason bad breath abounds - people are actually unable to smell their own bad breath without making some deliberate attempts to do so.)

I can also smell if I have bad breath. Most people, from what I've noticed, who have bad breath, don't eat anything for long periods of time. Especially religious people who fast. If I went to church with them, their breath is enough to make me lose faith.
I usually eat something every hour or two, so I only have bad breath in the morning.

I also have a counter example. My friend and I go to the gym together and afterwards we usually go eat. Sometimes, but not always, after we're done at the gym, he says he has to go take a shower before we eat because he stinks. But I rarely smell anything unpleasant from him. He smells it before I do.

[Proton Soup]

I can also smell if I have bad breath. Most people, from what I've noticed, who have bad breath, don't eat anything for long periods of time. Especially religious people who fast. If I went to church with them, their breath is enough to make me lose faith.
I usually eat something every hour or two, so I only have bad breath in the morning.


what you smell are ketones. we produce a lot of them when our bodies start using stored fat for fuel. i guess you could avoid that by never dieting and never going into ketosis, but in my experience, fat people often have a body odor that is particularly unpleasant.

[DaveC426913]

The burden of proof is on you to prove the existance of the
threshold. I'm not going to assume it exists.

But I rarely smell anything unpleasant from him. He smells it before I do.

You just proved it exists and that your threshold for sensing human odor is higher than your friend's.

He can smell himself yet you cannot smell him. It is therefore quite plausible that others can smell you but you cannot.

[MotoH]

14 times per week.

I will take about 30 minutes to an hour in the morning, and about 10 to 15 minutes at night after I work out.

On the weekends it is usually once a day.

Although if I am at my cabin during deer season, I will usually go a week and a half without one!

[leroyjenkens]

You just proved it exists and that your threshold for sensing human odor is higher than your friend's.

He can smell himself yet you cannot smell him. It is therefore quite plausible that others can smell you but you cannot.
First of all, that doesn't prove anything. That could be because he's simply closer to himself than I am. People closer to a smell tend to smell it easier than someone farther away.
Second, you're moving the goalposts. First, you can smell other people but not yourself. Now, suddenly it's dependent on how high your smell threshold is.

All anecdotes and "general opinion" aside, I see no reason why you should be able to smell other people but not yourself. A stench is a stench, regardless of where it's coming from.

[Dembadon]

... You can get used to the smell and not notice it on you. At my house, I don't notice a smell. Maybe other people can smell it on me, but I guess since I'm used to it, I don't notice it. ...

I see no reason why you should be able to smell other people but not yourself. A stench is a stench, regardless of where it's coming from.

I think you did an excellent job giving a reason in the first quote. :wink:

[Sorry!]

First of all, that doesn't prove anything. That could be because he's simply closer to himself than I am. People closer to a smell tend to smell it easier than someone farther away.
Second, you're moving the goalposts. First, you can smell other people but not yourself. Now, suddenly it's dependent on how high your smell threshold is.

All anecdotes and "general opinion" aside, I see no reason why you should be able to smell other people but not yourself. A stench is a stench, regardless of where it's coming from.

Or maybe, you get used to smelling the smell of yourself and therefore you really can't smell yourself when regular people think you smell bad because you've 'moved the threshold' higher(gotten used to how you smell).

So if you regularly don't shower for a few days you will be acustomed to the smells that come along with that and won't notice. For someone who showers daily they WILL smell you, they will also smell themselves if they start to smell bad.

[rootX]

How many times in a week do you shower?

Daily if I do lots of physical work or the room temperature is uncomfortably hot.

Once/twice a week if I don't do enough physical work and the room temperature is moderate (not too hot) and I am involved in some interesting work

Not at all until I remember that I should do shower for a change if I have some very interesting work.

Two times a day if I don't have anything to do.

Currently, I believe I showered about 4 days ago :D


People who find them smelling after two days of no shower under normal temperature/no physical work must have a really sensitive nose.

[leroyjenkens]

I think you did an excellent job giving a reason in the first quote.
But then I explained why body odor would be different in the part you left out.
Or maybe, you get used to smelling the smell of yourself and therefore you really can't smell yourself when regular people think you smell bad because you've 'moved the threshold' higher(gotten used to how you smell).
That's assuming you smell the same all the time, which taking a shower would preclude.
So if you regularly don't shower for a few days you will be acustomed to the smells that come along with that and won't notice. For someone who showers daily they WILL smell you, they will also smell themselves if they start to smell bad.
You would notice the difference between the way you smell the days you take a shower and the days you don't. If you take a shower every other day, like a lot of people, including me, then half of the time you would smell like the daily bathers. Why would you get accustomed to the second day smell instead of the first day smell? You have a 50/50 chance to be accustomed to either one, yet you choose the one that fits your argument.

[xxChrisxx]

Why is it that nearly every (ok im exaggerating a tad) thread made in GD ends up with Leory and Dave bickering?

[Sorry!]

But then I explained why body odor would be different in the part you left out.

That's assuming you smell the same all the time, which taking a shower would preclude.

You would notice the difference between the way you smell the days you take a shower and the days you don't. If you take a shower every other day, like a lot of people, including me, then half of the time you would smell like the daily bathers. Why would you get accustomed to the second day smell instead of the first day smell? You have a 50/50 chance to be accustomed to either one, yet you choose the one that fits your argument.

No you wouldn't. You don't 'get accustomed to one smell' for your entire life that's a rediculous position.

If you live in a fish market and get accustomed to the smell of fish does that automatically imply that you can't get accustomed to other smells? What kind of logic do you use to get THAT?

EDIT: If for your entire life you go say 3 days without showering you will be accustomed to ALL the smells associated with that. Not to say that if you TRY to smell what you smell like you won't notice it but you won't MIND it at all. However if someone walks into your house with fresh dog doo-doo on their shoe you probably WILL smell and mind it probably fairly quickly.

Here's a good test: Stick your hand down your pants and well... touch your area and pull out your hand and smell that. Would you want your girlfriend to go down on that? Just to make sure would YOU go down on that?

[leroyjenkens]

No you wouldn't. You don't 'get accustomed to one smell' for your entire life that's a rediculous position.

If you live in a fish market and get accustomed to the smell of fish does that automatically imply that you can't get accustomed to other smells? What kind of logic do you use to get THAT?

EDIT: If for your entire life you go say 3 days without showering you will be accustomed to ALL the smells associated with that. Not to say that if you TRY to smell what you smell like you won't notice it but you won't MIND it at all. However if someone walks into your house with fresh dog doo-doo on their shoe you probably WILL smell and mind it probably fairly quickly.
So you can get accustomed to one smell (not taking a shower), but you can also get accustomed to the opposite of that smell (taking a shower)?
So that means if you don't take a shower, to you, you would smell the same as you do if you do take a shower? If you're accustomed to both smells, you wouldn't notice the difference.
Here's a good test: Stick your hand down your pants and well... touch your area and pull out your hand and smell that. Would you want your girlfriend to go down on that? Just to make sure would YOU go down on that?
So you're saying your crotch smells good 24/7? At the beginning of the day, you take a shower, but somehow at the end of the day, your crotch is still nice and fresh?

[Count Iblis]

I try to shower as little as possible, but unfortunately I haven't been able to shower less than about two to three times per week, routinely. I have gone without taking a shower for a few weeks a few times in my life.

Taking showers is unhealthy for the skin. The bacteria that live on your skin that make you smell are beneficial. Sweat contains many beneficial compounds. We are animals and animals have evolved not to need showers. Mud bads may be ok. though.

[xxChrisxx]

So you can get accustomed to one smell (not taking a shower), but you can also get accustomed to the opposite of that smell (taking a shower)?
So that means if you don't take a shower, to you, you would smell the same as you do if you do take a shower? If you're accustomed to both smells, you wouldn't notice the difference.

You walk into a fish market you go
"JESUS THAT SMELLS"
after 15 mins it's not so bad.

If you go out and have fresh air for a bit, then return to said fish market BAM you can smell it at full force again.

As beginning to smell is a gradual thing, it's not always noticable to the smellee, but someone who's beeen breathing nice fresh air may think you smell like crud. It's all opinion.



Still if you say you smell like fresh roses/morning dew/winsauce after not showeing there is no way that we can disagree.

[ideasrule]

Habituation?

[xxChrisxx]

Habituation?

Precisely.

[MotoH]

I try to shower as little as possible, but unfortunately I haven't been able to shower less than about two to three times per week, routinely. I have gone without taking a shower for a few weeks a few times in my life.

Taking showers is unhealthy for the skin. The bacteria that live on your skin that make you smell are beneficial. Sweat contains many beneficial compounds. We are animals and animals have evolved not to need showers. Mud bads may be ok. though.



dude. . . . gross.

[leroyjenkens]

You walk into a fish market you go
"JESUS THAT SMELLS"
after 15 mins it's not so bad.

If you go out and have fresh air for a bit, then return to said fish market BAM you can smell it at full force again.

As beginning to smell is a gradual thing, it's not always noticable to the smellee, but someone who's beeen breathing nice fresh air may think you smell like crud. It's all opinion.
That's a good point. But I've been in stinky rooms before and I never get used to the stink.
Like my friends house for example. I usually stay over there all day on weekends. His house doesn't smell very good at all. He smokes, has animals and it's pretty dirty. When I walk into his house, I smell it. When I'm there for hours, if I take a whiff of the air, I'll still smell it.

[xxChrisxx]

That's a good point. But I've been in stinky rooms before and I never get used to the stink
Like my friends house for example. I usually stay over there all day on weekends. His house doesn't smell very good at all. He smokes, has animals and it's pretty dirty. When I walk into his house, I smell it. When I'm there for hours, if I take a whiff of the air, I'll still smell it.

So what. Is there a point to this little statement?

[leroyjenkens]

So what. Is there a point to this little statement?

Yeah, just because you can get used to smells, doesn't mean you can't smell them.

[xxChrisxx]

Yeah, just because you can get used to smells, doesn't mean you can't smell them.

For all practical purposes thats PRECISELY what it means, your brain blanks out the stimulus. You can technically still smell it, as the receptors pick up the stimulus, but your brain then filters it out. ISH I'm not a biologist, but someone here can describe precisly how it works.

Some people are sensitive to some smells, I personally am sensitive to cigarette smoke now i've stopped. The cig smell never really goes from my nostrils as it clings around. When I was a smoker I never noticed it.

Which is the point that Dave was rightly talking about. Just because YOU don't believe you smell doesn't mean others will hold the same opinion.

EDIT: I also know precisely what Dave is talking about when he says the 'stale' smell.

[Count Iblis]

That's a good point. But I've been in stinky rooms before and I never get used to the stink.
Like my friends house for example. I usually stay over there all day on weekends. His house doesn't smell very good at all. He smokes, has animals and it's pretty dirty. When I walk into his house, I smell it. When I'm there for hours, if I take a whiff of the air, I'll still smell it.

You need to stay for longer there. It will do you good.

[Jack21222]

I shower daily, because if I don't my hair becomes unbearably greasy. Even taking a 2 hour nap during the day (on the rare occasions I have the time) can make my hear incredibly greasy. I'm not sure what it is about sleeping and greasy hair, but I absolutely must shower.

The only time I can get away with not showering is when I've recently shaved my head, but even then, I do it out of habit.

[Sorry!]

So you can get accustomed to one smell (not taking a shower), but you can also get accustomed to the opposite of that smell (taking a shower)?
So that means if you don't take a shower, to you, you would smell the same as you do if you do take a shower? If you're accustomed to both smells, you wouldn't notice the difference.

So you're saying your crotch smells good 24/7? At the beginning of the day, you take a shower, but somehow at the end of the day, your crotch is still nice and fresh?

Man you honestly are on some next level. How can something smell OPPOSITE of another smell, that's the most absurd thing I've ever heard. "it smells opposite of grass" REALLY! oh kay!

When you shower you may smell 'good' who knows maybe you don't use fragranced soap so you just smell like your water? I don't know. You get used to that. When you start to 'smell bad' you don't 'smell opposite' of what you smell like when your clean.

Here's some homework for you. Go look up what occurs within the body to make various smells that we find 'smell bad'. Then go and find out if this works the same way for all people. (I'll tell you it doesn't, not everyone smells the same when they 'smell bad' YOU get used to your OWN smells) It's YOU getting used to YOUR body smelling DIFFERENT ways. Not 'OPPOSITE' ways.

As well I never said that my crotch smells good however since I practice a routine hygiene program and take care of the area I'm certain that it would never smell 'off putting' to any potential person... So it might not smell like the hugo boss or old spice shower gel that I use to wash my body when I'm in the shower after 24 hours but it sure wouldn't smell 'bad'.

[DaveC426913]

We are animals and animals have evolved not to need showers.We are also animals that have evolved to not live much past 30.
Or use toothbrushes.
Or wear clothes.
Or live in houses.

'We are animals' is no excuse. Unless you take it as a package deal.

[Count Iblis]

We are also animals that have evolved to not live much past 30.
Or use toothbrushes.
Or wear clothes.
Or live in houses.

'We are animals' is no excuse. Unless you take it as a package deal.

I've read that our bodies did evolve while we were wearing clothes and while we were cooking our food. As for brushing our teeth, I've read that dental plaque actually protects the tooth enamel against acids. Once you start to brush your teeth and go to the dentist regularly, you have to go all the way and take very good care of your teeth permanently.

[DaveC426913]

I've read that dental plaque actually protects the tooth enamel against acids. Once you start to brush your teeth and go to the dentist regularly, you have to go all the way and take very good care of your teeth permanently.

What would you say is notable about the condition and health of teeth from a couple of centuries ago versus modern times?

[leroyjenkens]

For all practical purposes thats PRECISELY what it means, your brain blanks out the stimulus. You can technically still smell it, as the receptors pick up the stimulus, but your brain then filters it out. ISH I'm not a biologist, but someone here can describe precisly how it works.
I know what you're saying. Kinda like when something is touching you, you feel it at first, but your brain eventually blocks it out. Like when people don't know where they put their pencil, when it's right behind their ear.
Which is the point that Dave was rightly talking about. Just because YOU don't believe you smell doesn't mean others will hold the same opinion.

Regardless if your brain blocks out smells you "get used to", you're still able to smell them. If you walk into a stinky bathroom, the unpleasant odor will be offensive to you. If you stay there long enough, it will no longer be quite as offensive and you'll "get used to it". But your brain doesn't make you anosmatic. You can still smell it.
If you make a deliberate attempt to smell yourself, you'll be able to tell if you stink or not, since you know if it's different than what you smell like when you're clean.
EDIT: I also know precisely what Dave is talking about when he says the 'stale' smell.
"Stale" isn't a defined smell. If I said something smells like an orange, anyone who's smelled an orange would know what I'm talking about. "Stale" could mean two different things to two different people. Not all "stale" things smell alike.
I know where you're going with that, though. Since I don't recognize "stale" as a smell, that means I'm unable to smell it and I probably emit such an odor.
Just because I don't automatically equate a word with a smell, doesn't mean I wouldn't recognize a smell if I smelt it.
I'll make up a new one and act surprised when someone doesn't know the exact smell the word is assigned to.
Man you honestly are on some next level. How can something smell OPPOSITE of another smell, that's the most absurd thing I've ever heard. "it smells opposite of grass" REALLY! oh kay!

A bad smell is the opposite of a good smell. It's not perfect, but neither was your analogy.
When you shower you may smell 'good' who knows maybe you don't use fragranced soap so you just smell like your water? I don't know. You get used to that. When you start to 'smell bad' you don't 'smell opposite' of what you smell like when your clean.

But you can recognize the difference.
Here's some homework for you. Go look up what occurs within the body to make various smells that we find 'smell bad'. Then go and find out if this works the same way for all people. (I'll tell you it doesn't, not everyone smells the same when they 'smell bad' YOU get used to your OWN smells) It's YOU getting used to YOUR body smelling DIFFERENT ways. Not 'OPPOSITE' ways.

If someone doesn't use deodorant, you can smell it. And it smells the same for everybody.
As well I never said that my crotch smells good however since I practice a routine hygiene program and take care of the area I'm certain that it would never smell 'off putting' to any potential person... So it might not smell like the hugo boss or old spice shower gel that I use to wash my body when I'm in the shower after 24 hours but it sure wouldn't smell 'bad'.
It might. Even if I did take a shower every day, I wouldn't want to just stick my crotch in somebody's face without making sure it's clean. I would hope you'd do the same thing, cause you don't know what your crotch could smell like 24 whole hours after it's been cleaned.
Or do you do a daily crotch check just to make sure you keep a consistent neutral crotch smell?
As for brushing our teeth, I've read that dental plaque actually protects the tooth enamel against acids.
Here's a quote from the dental plaque wiki article.
The microorganisms present in dental plaque are all naturally present in the oral cavity, and are normally harmless. However, failure to remove plaque by regular tooth brushing means that they are allowed to build up in a thick layer. Those microorganisms nearest the tooth surface convert to anaerobic respiration; it is in this state that they start to produce acids.
The dental plaque creates the acids.

[Moonbear]

There were a lot of things that weren't done in the early 1900s that we do now because we better understand health and hygiene.

I shower at least once daily, sometimes twice. I generally take my showers when I get home from work, since that's when I'm stinky from the anatomy labs. Sometimes I need an extra shower in the morning to wake up or because I sweat a lot at night or some such.

[whitay]

Always always always take a shower in the morning. People who don't smell terrible through out the day. I know cause I've worked with them. Disgusting people.

I shower twice a day.

[rootX]

There were a lot of things that weren't done in the early 1900s that we do now because we better understand health and hygiene.

I shower at least once daily, sometimes twice. I generally take my showers when I get home from work, since that's when I'm stinky from the anatomy labs. Sometimes I need an extra shower in the morning to wake up or because I sweat a lot at night or some such.

I generally reach my home/room at about 12-1 AM when I try to go for a shower. And, I leave in about 10-20 minutes after I wake up, so I always find it very hard to find sufficient time during school. When I work, I take hot shower once I reach home as it can be very relaxing. It is easier during those times and I get tired more.

[Mentallic]

Actually, I think most people from this era would be horrified at the quantity of water the average American puts down the drain.


Quick poll: do you shut off the tap while brushing your teeth?

No I don't, but I just figured that I could punish myself later by cutting my next daily shower short by 10 seconds. Easy done :smile:

[DaveC426913]

No I don't, but I just figured that I could punish myself later by cutting my next daily shower short by 10 seconds. Easy done :smile:You take only 10 seconds to brush your teeth?

(Or, you take 70 seconds to brush youir teeth but only do so once a week?)

[xxChrisxx]

You take only 10 seconds to brush your teeth?

(Or, you take 70 seconds to brush youir teeth but only do so once a week?)

The flow rate an a shower is slightly higher than a tap... In any case it was obviously a joke.


Why. So. Serious?

[DaveC426913]

The flow rate an a shower is slightly higher than a tap... In any case it was obviously a joke.Yes, it can be hard to tell when people are just joshin' around, can"t it?

[Proton Soup]

i don't live in a state that has to steal water from other states to survive. in fact, it's one of our greatest resources. so i use as much as i want without any guilt.

[leroyjenkens]

i don't live in a state that has to steal water from other states to survive. in fact, it's one of our greatest resources. so i use as much as i want without any guilt.

We're all on this Earth together, regardless of where you live.

[Proton Soup]

We're all on this Earth together, regardless of where you live.

you can't hug a child with nuclear arms

[MotoH]

When I brush my teethies in the morning and at night, I will put the toothpaste on the toothbrush, brush my teethies, and then rinse off. I can't stand the mixture of water and toothpaste.

Whenever I run into stinky people, I ask them if they didnt shower. This puts guilt on them and they will go home and shower.

I believe that stinky people are the cause of global warming. Oh, and people with bad breathe. I have puked on many occasions from the combination of the both. Retched I tell you, retched.

[xxChrisxx]

When I brush my teethies in the morning and at night, I will put the toothpaste on the toothbrush, brush my teethies, and then rinse off. I can't stand the mixture of water and toothpaste.

Whenever I run into stinky people, I ask them if they didnt shower. This puts guilt on them and they will go home and shower.

I believe that stinky people are the cause of global warming. Oh, and people with bad breathe. I have puked on many occasions from the combination of the both. Retched I tell you, retched.

Was this a trolling post?

[DaveC426913]

Was this a trolling post?
See post 90.

[xxChrisxx]

See post 90.

Very droll.

[DaveC426913]

Very droll.
See technique #2 (http://www.cracked.com/funny-3809-internet-argument-techniques/).

[xxChrisxx]

See technique #2 (http://www.cracked.com/funny-3809-internet-argument-techniques/).

How come everything is an argument with you?

Your original respose was droll. A subtle yet witty responce pointing out the irony of me accusing you of not getting the joke only for me to do the same thing a few posts later. I laughed, as I enjoy irony. It was a compliment.

This second response has ruined the subtle humour of the previous comment you made, and now simply makes you look entirely humourless. It infact makes you look like a smug bastard, as though you've won a cheap little victory which you are now getting jollies over.

Well done Captain Buzzkill.

Quite how you got the humour award i'll never know. This is the equivilant of telling an amazing joke, then tryign to follow it up and murdering all the laughter.

[MotoH]

Now you've done it chris. I found daves last post extremely funny because it labeled your post perfectly. Now you go on a tirade and ruin any fun that was left in this hollowed out shell of a thread. You are the black hole of humor chris. Why must you ruin the fun?

[rootX]

This thread is a joke.

[DaveC426913]

How come everything is an argument with you?

Your original respose was droll. A subtle yet witty responce pointing out the irony of me accusing you of not getting the joke only for me to do the same thing a few posts later. I laughed, as I enjoy irony. It was a compliment.

This second response has ruined the subtle humour of the previous comment you made, and now simply makes you look entirely humourless. It infact makes you look like a smug bastard, as though you've won a cheap little victory which you are now getting jollies over.

Well done Captain Buzzkill.

Quite how you got the humour award i'll never know. This is the equivilant of telling an amazing joke, then tryign to follow it up and murdering all the laughter.
I sense that see post #90 isn't going to work this time...*


We are both suffering the same thing: not being able to see the wry smile on each others' face. Droll is usually a put-down. But I wasn't actually accusing you of commenting in bad faith; I found that awesome Cracked list yesterday and was just dying to use it. Luck was on my side.

Subtle humour is an unforgiving mistress. Sometimes it turns on you.

(Also, I greatly underuse emoticons, contributing to the ambiguity of my tone.)

*:wink:

[xxChrisxx]

...oops.

Now I feel bad, and slightly silly.:redface:

EDIT: There should be a rollback function in spacetime, for collossal miscomprehension events like post 99.

[Mentallic]

There should be a rollback function in spacetime, for collossal miscomprehension events like post 99.

If Einstein hadn't had the nerve to die on us, I'm sure he would've told us how to do it :biggrin:

as a reminder: after making a joke which could be misinterpreted by another reader, make sure to avoid this by adding "jk, don't get your panties tied in a knot" EVERY time. This shall become protocol.

[DaveC426913]

as a reminder: after making a joke which could be misinterpreted by another reader, make sure to avoid this by adding "jk, don't get your panties tied in a knot" EVERY time. This shall become protocol.

If only there were already some sort of method for letting people know the emotional tone of a post... Maybe just an icon. Some sort of emotion-icon. Some sort of ... I don't know... emoticon ...

[rootX]

I believe this thread should be submitted to the fail-blog... for so many pathetic jokes and amateur use of ironies. A good joke wouldn't require some kind of indication.

[gravenewworld]

I come back a couple of days later and this thread is still going? PFers like to argue over everything.

[DaveC426913]

A good joke wouldn't require some kind of indication.
I'd like to think so, but (with 45 years of glory-hounding for attention) I can tell you that off-the-cuff humour is extremely dependent on context of the parties involved.

[GeorginaS]

See technique #2 (http://www.cracked.com/funny-3809-internet-argument-techniques/).

Great page! Made me laugh.

[xxChrisxx]

I believe this thread should be submitted to the fail-blog... for so many pathetic jokes and amateur use of ironies. A good joke wouldn't require some kind of indication.

I'd like to think so, but (with 45 years of glory-hounding for attention) I can tell you that off-the-cuff humour is extremely dependent on context of the parties involved.

Also a lot of extremely funny things are purely down to delivery and timing, something which is lost on forums.

[GeorginaS]

If only there were already some sort of method for letting people know the emotional tone of a post... Maybe just an icon. Some sort of emotion-icon. Some sort of ... I don't know... emoticon ...

You're forever in trouble over those, aren't you? :wink:

[GeorginaS]

Also a lot of extremely funny things are purely down to delivery and timing, something which is lost on forums.

So, so, so, so many of the visual and auditory cues we depend upon for clear comprehension in communication are missing online. This is a really, really tough means of casual conversation. Particularly getting acknowledgment from people so you aren't talking past each other. Humour, especially dry, deadpan humour and sarcasm are really tough to convey properly too.

It's very challenging.

[DaveC426913]

You're forever in trouble over those, aren't you? :wink:

I am. It is definitely my own fault. My sense of (online) humour tends strongly toward the deadpan. I hate having to beat my audience with an emoticon club.

[GeorginaS]

I am. It is definitely my own fault. My sense of (online) humour tends strongly toward the deadpan. I hate having to beat my audience with an emoticon club.

I list towards sarcasm but try not to online unless a) the person I'm directing pixels at knows me well enough to know I'm joking, or b) I decide to give in to the FTHFs* to make myself clear.

*FTHF coined by my ex when we first began participating in various online gaming sites and discussion boards. [Back in the days before they'd invented the little round yellow emoticons.] He called them "f*****g tilted happy faces" because they annoyed him so much that everyone used them constantly, and because it further teed him off that people didn't "get" his sense of humour in the absence of them. :)

[Proton Soup]

I'd like to think so, but (with 45 years of glory-hounding for attention) I can tell you that off-the-cuff humour is extremely dependent on context of the parties involved.

i think the getting of a joke is also highly correlated with one's bathing frequency, which ties it back directly to the subject at hand.

[Mentallic]

i think the getting of a joke is also highly correlated with one's bathing frequencyThat's so true! It's no wonder I get all the dirty jokes :wink:

Oops... I've done it again...I believe this thread should be submitted to the fail-blog... for so many pathetic jokes and amateur use of ironies. A good joke wouldn't require some kind of indication.