[trebb]

My late father, born in 1932, showered once a week. He "bathed" daily by taking a damp washcloth to his body, paying particular attention to those areas which most often "give offense." He shampooed less frequently. He would head down to the basement and give his his wiry locks a once over with a rubber nozzle attachment in the great soapstone sink. The man never smelled. He was truly the cleanest person I ever knew.

I spent a few years in Italy - the practice is to shower once a day with cool/cold water and no soap unless needed to remove some set in grime. They say keeping the pores closed and not destroying the natural protections on the skin keeps one healthier. Never ran into a smelly Italian.

[Explorer89]

Never ran into a smelly Italian? I lived there for two years, too. A trip on the un-air conditioned Milan subway in August was an epic experience. Deodorant doesn’t exist. I had to import my Secret.