[Oratam]

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.

Also, I recall reading something by the late, great Ivan T. Sanderson on the subject of the civilized, Western men in the jungle. He said after a time without bathing, the body produces a natural insect repellent which the soap & water crowd will never know.

All things in moderation.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

When we were kids on the arid high plains, our parents made us bathe once a week. As we grew older, and moved to the HUMID South, we realized we were rank, so began to bathe twice a week then four times a week, then every day when we joined the work force.

I think once a week was standard back then, on Saturday night.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

***great Ivan T. Sanderson ***

So why do the Yeti and Bigfoot stink!

[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.

[MayflowerMadam]

“He said after a time without bathing, the body produces a natural insect repellent”

Decades ago I read a book about the Lewis and Clark Expedition — by Irving Stone, IIRC. At least one person in their party swore by this and was totally freaked out when something happened to wash away this... whatever... crust or something. I believe he thought it went beyond insect repellant and protected him from other illnesses. Not sure about all of this; I read it in the ‘70s.