It's no secret that the French aren't too fond of taking
baths (or showers). They believe that being too clean weakens one's immune
system making it vulnerable to viruses and diseases. Recent research has
actually validated this claim. The fact that France is the "birthplace" of the modern perfume shouldn't be a surprise.
There were rumors that Marie Antoinette, the last queen of France, only took one bath in her entire life and that was on the eve of her wedding. Needless to say, she was a big fan of perfume. Antoinette's excessive penchant for fashion was often cited as one of the reasons why the royal family was overthrown and executed in a bloody revolution.
OTHER VOICES:
A friend from Europe writes:
"I find not bathing and shaving for a short time, say two days, can be insightful. I love the smells, the stickiness, and the feeling of being on the ragged edge. It's gross, but I have done it a few times.
I just wanted to try the not taking a bath for over 24 hours. I will tell you that I really don't look forward to doing it again. The closest I came to not taking a bath for more than a day was while sailing off the coast for four days, but even then, I jumped in the salt water and used some soap. I have no idea how people could for a week or more without bathing."
A friend from the U.S. writes:
"Now I know why people use perfume. It is so nauseating when the sweet smelling perfume mixes with the surrounding air. One week without bathing will make me sick and probably end up very cranky!!!!"
Another friend from the U.S. writes:
"Bath 101. Why do all revolutionaries carry a musty, rustic feel to them? From Robespierre to Khomeini ... They all share that bond."
A friend from India writes:
"Yuck! I find it hard staying without a bath for even a single day... I'm glad Marie the unbathed married someone else. My idea of daily luxury is soaking in a deep bath of bubbles - with glass of chilled Chablis to hand."
There were rumors that Marie Antoinette, the last queen of France, only took one bath in her entire life and that was on the eve of her wedding. Needless to say, she was a big fan of perfume. Antoinette's excessive penchant for fashion was often cited as one of the reasons why the royal family was overthrown and executed in a bloody revolution.
OTHER VOICES:
A friend from Europe writes:
"I find not bathing and shaving for a short time, say two days, can be insightful. I love the smells, the stickiness, and the feeling of being on the ragged edge. It's gross, but I have done it a few times.
I just wanted to try the not taking a bath for over 24 hours. I will tell you that I really don't look forward to doing it again. The closest I came to not taking a bath for more than a day was while sailing off the coast for four days, but even then, I jumped in the salt water and used some soap. I have no idea how people could for a week or more without bathing."
A friend from the U.S. writes:
"Now I know why people use perfume. It is so nauseating when the sweet smelling perfume mixes with the surrounding air. One week without bathing will make me sick and probably end up very cranky!!!!"
Another friend from the U.S. writes:
"Bath 101. Why do all revolutionaries carry a musty, rustic feel to them? From Robespierre to Khomeini ... They all share that bond."
A friend from India writes:
"Yuck! I find it hard staying without a bath for even a single day... I'm glad Marie the unbathed married someone else. My idea of daily luxury is soaking in a deep bath of bubbles - with glass of chilled Chablis to hand."
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