Once upon a time, women might have loved a man with a dirty, rough and rugged look, because that probably represented hard work and total masculinity to the point of having no regard for self.
Once upon a time, women might have loved a man with a dirty, rough and rugged look, because that probably represented hard work and total masculinity to the point of having no regard for self.
But we are not living in those times, fortunately. A man doesn’t have to be sweaty and smelly to be masculine. A clean man isn’t a feminine man.
Even if the scientists say that pheromones, a substance in a man’s sweat that is derived from testosterone, attracts females, really that is pushing the argument for being dirty a little too far. From experience, I don’t know of a single woman who loves a sweaty stinking man.
A man doesn’t have to bathe five times a day, or change his clothes thrice a day to maintain cleanliness. Hygiene is perhaps the most important aspect for a man to be seen and thought of as responsible.
I don’t understand why a grown up man should be reminded to take a bath, but then, these things happen, as many wives will tell you!
Deodorants and perfumes are great inventions, and true, they show style and modernity in a man, but they are NOT a substitute to a bath. In fact, they are the very opposite. When body sweat and perfume interact, believe me, the results are not pleasant. Regular baths suffice incase you aren’t into perfumes/deodorants.
Hygiene also extends to things like keeping your fingernails and toenails well trimmed. Over grown nails with dirt under the fingernails is really not a pleasing sight. Regular manicures and pedicures ought to be enough to take care of this issue.
This doesnt have to be done in a salon, you can do it yourself at home; all you need is a nail cutter.
How a man handles his underwear, boxers and vests is a true measure of personal hygiene. How often do you recycle those items before you deem them due for a wash?
Undergarments must only be used once, and washed. You don’t need to be a scientist to realise that underclothes are conducive breeding grounds for germs and lice.
The same goes for stockings.
If you are to avoid having smelly feet, the same pair of stockings shouldn’t be used more than once without a wash. These items are cheap; having more than just one pair is advisable. Even if you can’t afford that many pairs, a single pair of stockings can dry overnight, so wash them daily. Don’t forget to keep your shoes, hankie and clothes clean.
A man’s hair tells a lot. Keep it trimmed, combed and manageable. If you decide to go dreaded or afro centric, that is not an excuse to have unkempt hair; these hair styles are manageable too.
Washing your hands only because you are going to eat only shows that you don’t even know why you are washing your hands. You do it because that’s what you were told while growing up. Even if your job is the kind where you can’t avoid getting dirty, you can still be hygienic.
You don’t have to be rich to maintain a high standard of personal hygiene. The most important things needed are not that expensive, and can be summarized to; water, soap, a razor blade.
Man is a social animal; there is no reason why anyone should be an inconvenience to those around him because of the foul odor he emits. Like the wise ones say; cleanliness is next to godliness.