To think one bath a week for an 18 year old isn't really enough?

[Crumpetsandbutter]

I don't have teenagers but I was surprised when talking with a friend about her 18 year old daughter, who she was saying got tired as she was up so early and she wished she'd lie in a bit longer.

I said 'oh well I suppose she has to dry her hair and all that' and she said that she only baths once a week on Sundays.

AIBU to think this isn't much? She only 'washes' with a makeup wipe, not even a strip wash with a flannel.

[Goingintohibernation]

I seem to recall seeing a TV programme a while ago about sweat, and smelling. Seems some people genuinely don't smell, and therefore don't need to wash as much. I'd stink if I didn't wash every day, but it seems some lucky people can get away with it. Maybe she is one of them?

[BlackeyedSusan]

not bathing, not a problem. not washing at all would be.

[GritStrength]

She needs to wash as often is required to feel and smell clean. If she can get away with once a week (although most people probably can't) then not sure why it is your concern.

[aermingers]

I have said this before but one in 50 people have a genetic mutation which means that their sweat doesn't smell. I know because I took part in the university study which discovered this and I am one of those people.

I like bathing and bathe several times a week. But I've been to music festivals or camping when I haven't washed for a while and I just don't smell. As long as I can give my face hands and my bits a wipe I don't feel dirty.

Apparently 75% of the people who have this mutation still use deodorant even though they don't need it, and many of them probably wash daily because apparently it's all social conditioning. And as you can see on this thread that's quite powerful because many people are expressing their disgust.

It is possible that she is one of these people. And I think it's hard to understand unless you are one that you really do need to wash a lot less.

Also if she is disable then maybe she has difficulty bathing and it's a tough operation needing help so it's hard for her to do it more than once a week, especially if someone needs to help with lifting.

[BuckskinnedAstronaut]

If she looks clean and she doesn't smell then she's washing enough -- that's what washing's FOR, after all.

Whether you or I or anyone else would look dirty or smell on the same regime that she follows isn't really the point. She doesn't.

[newname12]

I shared a house with a girl at uni who only washed once a week. She did not smell. At all.

I lived with her for the full 3 years. She was lovely, popular, with loads of boyfriends.

If she's happy, and doesn't smell, then anyone else's opinion on how often she washes is irrelevant.

[Sallystyle]

aermingers, I believe this is my son and husband. They aren't related though.

My husband goes to the gym and works really hard, he is covered in sweat but it never, ever smells. My son never smells. His feet never smell either.

[StillStayingClassySanDiego]

My three boys ; 19, 17 and 15 who were obsessive showerers; vanity and aroma being the main aim.

I shower less frequently than them and smell equally pleasant.

[Gruntfuttock]

Hatespiders I specifically said bathing or showering ONCE a day wasn't frantic and that's what the vast majority of people do. Why go to the other extreme and refer to your husbands frequent showers as evidence that everyone else washes "frantically" which is what you said earlier?

[Bulbasaur]

You don't have to take a bath. But if you smell bad, it's not going to make you very popular.

[TillyTotter1]

YABU. If the girl is disabled in any capacity it could be a huge effort for her to even do this once a week - lots of people who aren't fully able can find bathing to be an exhausting task and can only cope with once a week. I think you're being very harsh here, especially as you say she doesn't smell

[Bartlebee]

It's pretty weird nowadays when most people, young and old, tend to shower at least once a day.

[Gruntfuttock]

Hatespiders You said "I only have a bath every four days. I wash my face and hands on the other days, but that's all.", yet you've now said that your DH has several showers a day. That's two extremes IMO. Doesn't your husband comment about your infrequent washing?

[TheSpottedZebra]

LOVE the nickname 'tin can hermit'.

Am almost tempted to go round a caravan site, sniffing holidaymakers to find the UK title holder.
Almost.

[LadyLuck10]

Hatespiders you only wash hands and face, what about erm the rest?
Surely it would smell?

[Optimist1]

I'm shuddering a bit at the thought of a once-a-week bath/shower, but what has really turned my stomach is the mention of the unwashed-for-3-months flannel!

[rootypig]

ohmygrood this NYT article may interest you. I think we do over wash, yes.

[Gruntfuttock]

Apart from those people who have skin conditions that are worsened by washing, I can't understand why some people actually prefer not to wash daily. Isn't it nice to have a bath or shower? Isn't it nice to feel clean and fresh?

[Christina22xx]

thats disgusting. im 22 and i have bathed EVERYDAY since i was ten
i used to have the weekly baths when i was like 6
she must smell so bad ew

[morethanpotatoprints]

Its only a recent concept that people shower or bath everyday.
As a child I can remember no deodorant to speak of, the men used Brut or Old Spice after shave
We had a bath once a week and when little shared with siblings.
This was also a time where grown ups wore those awful polyester shirts.
I don't see the problem tbh, she doesn't smell.

[Christina22xx]

oh i didnt read she was disabled. still maybe a flannel bath, once a week isnt good tbh

[Oakmaiden]

Chuckling to myself at showering every 4 days being seen as an "extreme". Once a year is an extreme - once a week is probably more normal than most people realise, and I have a suspicion that daily is less "normal" than most people assume.

FWIW I shower every other day, generally. Mostly because my skin gets really itchy if I wash it too often.

[rootypig]

Body odour is caused by bacteria and sweat. There is a theory that by washing so much, we remove the bacteria on our skin that does not cause body odour, and in doing so, allow those that do to thrive. If that makes sense.

Article: www.nytimes.com/2014/05/25/magazine/my-no-soap-no-shampoo-bacteria-rich-hygiene-experiment.html?_r=0

[ElkTheory]

I'm glad that I live in a time and place that allows me to have daily (or twice daily) showers. It is a luxury, I know. But I'm not planning to stop any time soon. I think the shower is one of the greatest inventions of all time.

We may have all become acutely sensitive to cleanliness and lack thereof. But I've certainly been around people who bathe/shower once a week and claim they are still clean, don't smell, etc. Despite their protestations, it is actually quite noticeable that they bathe infrequently. Of course, that may not be true for everyone.