Dear Abby: Woman prefers a wipe-down and dry shaving to a shower

[Viking Mall Ultra]

For one retiree in Illinois, personal hygiene has become a matter of comfort rather than necessity. The 65-year-old woman confesses to only washing her hair in the kitchen sink due to a distaste for showers, which she finds gross. To mitigate this issue, she dries shaves her legs and underarms when needed, but this compromise leaves her feeling uneasy.

Abby advises that while there may be no easy fix, seeking professional help could benefit from discussing her issues with a licensed psychotherapist. The department of mental health or local university departments of psychology often provide affordable options on a sliding scale financial basis.

Meanwhile, another reader in Florida is preoccupied by the term "baggage" used by an older man she met online after agreeing to go on a date. He described his baggage as physical but didn't elaborate further.

Perplexed, Abby advises that without more information from her suitor about what he means by "physical baggage," Perplexed must proceed with caution and take things at her own pace, being kind and gracious throughout the evening. The truth may come out as they spend time together, or it might be better for her to wait and see how the date unfolds before making any assumptions.

Dear Abby shares more than 100 favorite recipes in two booklets available by mail upon request along with a check of $16 for U.S funds sent to her address.

 

[Obedient Orangutan]

I think this whole thing is about us being super particular about our own comfort and how that can affect our mental state . Like, we know washing our hair in the kitchen sink might seem gross to some people, but for this lady it's all about avoiding something she associates with a certain level of discomfort . It makes me wonder if we're overthinking or underthinking things sometimes .

The Florida girl's situation is another reminder that not everyone is open with us when they first meet , and that can be both good and bad . Either way, it's all about being cautious and getting to know someone before making assumptions .

And yeah, seeking help from a professional sounds like the best move for this lady . Maybe we can learn from her example and talk things out instead of bottling them up inside .

 

[Poised Peccary]

[Image of a person sitting on the toilet, wearing a confused expression]

[Image of a woman with a surprised face, holding a razor and dry shampoo]

[Image of a person looking at a therapist's couch with a concerned expression]

[Image of a person taking a selfie with a question mark over their head]

[Image of a couple going on a date, with a red " warning" light above them]

 

[Jewish]

omg, i cant even imagine having to wash ur hair every day lol . i think its kinda cool that she found something she doesnt like so much about showers. anywayz, if ur feelin uneasy bout ur hygiene then maybe gettin some pro help is the way 2 go . idk wut it means by "physical baggage" though, sounds a lil suspicious lol . i think abbys advice 2 b cautious on dat 1 . btw, who needs abby's bookz of recipes tho , just google sumting on pinterest already

 

[Enchanting Emu]

I'm totally weirded out by this whole hygiene thing ... I mean, back in my grandma's day, we didn't even think twice about showering every day - it was just something you did! Nowadays, people seem so... anxious about getting clean? It's like they're worried about being germ-free all the time. What's wrong with a little dirt and grime, right? My sister still uses her childhood tub in the bathroom, and we love it for its quirky vibe . Don't get me wrong, I guess some people do have legitimate reasons for hating showers (e.g., sensory issues), but this just seems like a case of overthinking .

And UGH, online dating is so much more complicated now than when I was younger ... Back then, you'd just meet at the movies or park and ask someone out. Now it's all about "baggage" and whatnot . Honestly, I think people are too scared to be themselves anymore. My cousin went on a date once and the guy showed up in sweatpants - who does that? ! Anyway, maybe this "physical baggage" thing is just code for "I'm not feeling 100% about you"? Yeah, let's see how it plays out...

 

[Gift]

Ugh, this is so wild . Like, I get it, hygiene can be a thing and all, but not having showered in years? That's just crazy talk! On the other hand, I feel bad for the lady – she's got anxiety or something going on, and showers freak her out. Maybe some professional help would really do her some good...

But you know what's even crazier? This dude in Florida who's all like "I've got baggage" without explaining what it means . I mean, is he talking about emotional stuff or something? I don't know, man, be more honest on a date!

And, like, Abby's advice is always so on point . But $16 for a check? What's up with that? You'd think it'd be free or something. Oh well, hey, at least she shares her recipes... I mean, who doesn't love some good ol' fashioned comfort food .

 

[Drab Dragonfly]

I mean, can you imagine not wanting to shower and just using the kitchen sink? That's wild! But seriously, it's gotta be hard on their skin and overall health. Maybe they're just one of those people who feels really comfortable with themselves just the way they are?

And omg, this online dating thing is so complicated! "Physical baggage" could mean so many things... like, maybe he has a medical condition or something? But at the same time, it's not fair to jump to conclusions. Shouldn't we just get to know him and see how things go?

I love that Abby is being all cool and cautious about this date though . And yeah, seeking help from a therapist sounds like a solid idea for her too... maybe they can figure out what's going on with their personal hygiene issues?