PERSONAL HYGIENE FOR AN EVENING OUT
Being single in 2008, and being “of a certain age” presents unique challenges (what we used to call problems
before it was politically incorrect to have any). I hope, through this column, to at least address and dissect some
of these problems, difficulties, challenges, opportunities - pick your euphemism - for your review, discussion,
and amusement. I hope that this will become an interactive experience - I write, you respond, I write some more.
I am interested in what your reactions are to my thoughts and opinions, and in your differing views. Feel free to
write to me, either via email or postal - addresses appear at the end of this column.
The subjects of these columns (or rants, as I like to call them) are issues I have either been interested in, am
intrigued by, or have proven to be as much a pain in the you know where for me as you tell me they are for you. I
hope you will find these musings amusing. The ideas may be irreverent, a bit sarcastic, maybe a bit provocative,
but I intend to always be thought-provoking. I will be my usual direct and straightforward self, and, as always, as
honest as possible about what I think.
So, right out of the batter’s box, and at the risk of mixing metaphors, let’s hit the ground running. I asked a few of
my friends (mainly the female ones) what I should write about first. They overwhelmingly answered “Men!” “What
about them interests you?” I asked. “Personal hygiene”, they all said, “and the frequent lack thereof”. (My
girlfriends are the literary type, and often talk like that - honest). I have heard similar sentiments from my men
friends regarding some of the women.
So, not to be deliberately provocative so quickly, but to discuss something that is on the minds of many of you, let’
s address this issue as it affects both sexes. From the comments I’ve heard people make, I think we need to do
a better job of sprucing up for an evening out. It goes without saying that a shower, clean teeth, washed hair,
fresh clothes and shoes, are de rigueur for many of us. But, apparently not for everyone. At a recent singles
dance I attended, I was truly surprised at how many people apparently hadn’t used an antiperspirant (or a very
good one). And because they didn’t, their clothes were musty smelling. And, their shoes, too, but for a different
reason.
Ladies and gentlemen, regardless of why you’re out for the evening, put your best out there. Smelling good (as
opposed to bad) is part of the effort. Personal hygiene products are necessary - the lack thereof is too horrible to
contemplate. And, a little perfume or aftershave (used by either gender) can be intriguing. A word to the wise:
soap and water are your friends. Don’t put grease in your hair. Clean your teeth after you eat. Look in a mirror
and check to see that everything is where it ought to be, and that nothing that shouldn’t be is hanging down or out
or showing or what have you. Wash or dry clean your clothes often - especially after a dance where the
temperature inside the ballroom reaches 89 degrees, and you’ve been dancing all night. You’ll be happier. And
so will we.
Let me know what you think. I reserve the right to use your comments (as if they were my own) in future
columns. Also, what would you like to read about? Write to me at Susan D. Platt, P.O. Box (Jeannine’s) or
sdplatt2@astound.net.
Copyright, 2008, by Susan D. Platt. Not to be reproduced without the authorization of Susan D. Platt.
Being single in 2008, and being “of a certain age” presents unique challenges (what we used to call problems
before it was politically incorrect to have any). I hope, through this column, to at least address and dissect some
of these problems, difficulties, challenges, opportunities - pick your euphemism - for your review, discussion,
and amusement. I hope that this will become an interactive experience - I write, you respond, I write some more.
I am interested in what your reactions are to my thoughts and opinions, and in your differing views. Feel free to
write to me, either via email or postal - addresses appear at the end of this column.
The subjects of these columns (or rants, as I like to call them) are issues I have either been interested in, am
intrigued by, or have proven to be as much a pain in the you know where for me as you tell me they are for you. I
hope you will find these musings amusing. The ideas may be irreverent, a bit sarcastic, maybe a bit provocative,
but I intend to always be thought-provoking. I will be my usual direct and straightforward self, and, as always, as
honest as possible about what I think.
So, right out of the batter’s box, and at the risk of mixing metaphors, let’s hit the ground running. I asked a few of
my friends (mainly the female ones) what I should write about first. They overwhelmingly answered “Men!” “What
about them interests you?” I asked. “Personal hygiene”, they all said, “and the frequent lack thereof”. (My
girlfriends are the literary type, and often talk like that - honest). I have heard similar sentiments from my men
friends regarding some of the women.
So, not to be deliberately provocative so quickly, but to discuss something that is on the minds of many of you, let’
s address this issue as it affects both sexes. From the comments I’ve heard people make, I think we need to do
a better job of sprucing up for an evening out. It goes without saying that a shower, clean teeth, washed hair,
fresh clothes and shoes, are de rigueur for many of us. But, apparently not for everyone. At a recent singles
dance I attended, I was truly surprised at how many people apparently hadn’t used an antiperspirant (or a very
good one). And because they didn’t, their clothes were musty smelling. And, their shoes, too, but for a different
reason.
Ladies and gentlemen, regardless of why you’re out for the evening, put your best out there. Smelling good (as
opposed to bad) is part of the effort. Personal hygiene products are necessary - the lack thereof is too horrible to
contemplate. And, a little perfume or aftershave (used by either gender) can be intriguing. A word to the wise:
soap and water are your friends. Don’t put grease in your hair. Clean your teeth after you eat. Look in a mirror
and check to see that everything is where it ought to be, and that nothing that shouldn’t be is hanging down or out
or showing or what have you. Wash or dry clean your clothes often - especially after a dance where the
temperature inside the ballroom reaches 89 degrees, and you’ve been dancing all night. You’ll be happier. And
so will we.
Let me know what you think. I reserve the right to use your comments (as if they were my own) in future
columns. Also, what would you like to read about? Write to me at Susan D. Platt, P.O. Box (Jeannine’s) or
sdplatt2@astound.net.
Copyright, 2008, by Susan D. Platt. Not to be reproduced without the authorization of Susan D. Platt.
The Society of Single Professionals
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