Let's talk personal . . . hygiene that is.

So, I realize everyone out there has their own ideas about personal hygiene. I would gather most people are at least in the same chapter, if not on the same page. Unfortunately, there are those who do not share in those beliefs. I'm not necessarily saying it's wrong . . . but I'm not necessarily condoning it either.

For some people, it could depend on the kind of job they do every day. If you're a large animal vet during a very busy breeding season . . . for horses and cows . . . showering every day is a must. Even though there's a glove on that arm, dude, it's still nasty. I know. If your a garbage man - showering daily is not an option. But if you work from home, and breaking a sweat isn't on your daily agenda, showering daily might be a option instead of a necessity.

However, I admit that 99.9% of the people that I know, shower on a daily basis. Some, go for twice a day if they feel the need. Most people I know use soap. Most people I know wear some kind of perfume or cologne. And most importantly (although maybe second to soap . . .) is deodorant.

Bottom line here is this: the general populous doesn't want to stink.

Now, I'm not saying everyone who has high standards for personal hygiene smells like a peach. Some perfumes or cologne's simply don't agree with the nose on my face. But at least they're clean. Right? Right.

I know someone who at best showers every other day. I know what this person does for a living. And uh . . . well, it surprises me that this would come out of their mouths. But then I realized, that partially explained their appearance. Or the fact that I often have to not breathe in while in their presence. I don't want to know details as to why they feel this way. If their trying to conserve water, kudos, but uh, seriously, there has to be something else they can do.

I once worked with a person who smelled like a liquor cabinet. With a hint of pot. And B.O. It just seeped from their pores. I found out that even the boss had to mention to this person that many of their co-workers felt uncomfortable with their stench. This person didn't give a shit. Literally. Which grossed me out even more.

In general, smokers smell to non-smokers. Hey, it's your choice to suck on the cancer stick. The smell just goes right along with it. To a non-smoker, that's a smell that you really can never get rid of, unless the smoker quite smoking. And gets a post-smoking wardrobe. And home. And furniture.

Now, in my world, there are times I know I smell bad. And I mean bad. And I would keep away from people on purpose. Reason being was that I had been out in the summer heat, working my ass off and I was nasty-sweaty-gross. Plus, my thinking is this: If I can smell me, then it's bad. I just wish others felt that way, too. I'm even considerate enough, that a few weeks ago, when I stopped by to a see friend after being around horses for nearly 4 hours (and smelled like one, too), that upon hugging them hello, I warned, "I probably smell like a horse." Luckily, I knew they didn't mind anyway, but that wasn't the point. He warned me that he smelled of truck grease and sweat. I didn't really mind that either. The mere fact that he's adorable cleared him of any wrong smelling. The point here, is that we were considerate enough to "warn" the other person that you might not like what your smelling if you get too close.

Because, whether or not I like you . . . I can't stand you if you smell bad. Especially if I find it's not because I hate your perfume/cologne, but because it's your (ahem) lack of personal hygiene standards.

So, please, shower daily, use deodorant, and spritz/slap on that perfume/cologne, and go out into the world smelling like Calvin Klein. Or whoever. As long as it's not your body odor coming to greet me.