Personal hygiene is a touchy subject for some, but what happens when it becomes a date hazard? What do you say to that special someone in your life who has bad breath, or who has a stench about them, before it ruins a potential next great date?
Most have likely been there—out on the greatest date ever, then leaned in for that long-awaited hug—and noticed a nice little stench about them. Or, there's that date you sat across from all night that had that half-million dollar smile, but for some reason they talked half-way as well, as if practicing to be a ventriloquist, and then later you happened to catch a glimpse of what appeared to be green teeth and a whiff of bad breath.
Personal hygiene can definitely become a dating hazard and at some point hinder moving forward with that potential great date; and Examiner readers have asked for tips and hazard signs.
Straight up, it’s just not sexy to think about going on a date without first sprucing up a bit. Translation: If you haven’t showered, shaved, combed your hair, brushed and flossed your teeth, and put on a new set of clean clothes from head to toe—chances are your date just may choose to stay clear by 20 feet—as if you just dabbed on half a bottle of cologne to disguise lack of deodorant on a hot day (a few other sure-fire hygiene hazard signs).
So if you’re hoping for a hello hug or a goodnight squeeze from that great date and you'd like to get to date two—fresh and clean is sexy and definitely "in" for any generation—and will never go out of style.
And for those in need of a subtle hint, or for those that know someone who just doesn’t get it—below is a list of potential hygiene hazards that can (and have) ruined a great date—as well as what to say to someone to help them get the hint.
Potential hygiene hazardous that can ruin a date:
- Greasy hair (so greasy you could fry French fries)
- Hasn’t showered in over 24 hours (nothing covers the odor of "no" shower)
- Bad breath (affordability can be an issue but sometimes health issues, medications, etc. can be underlying causes—check with your dentist, hygienist or physician.)
- Green teeth (check for food between teeth; not everyone can afford veneers, etc. however until dentistry becomes more affordable brushing and flossing is extremely important)
- Too much cologne or perfume (what are they trying to cover up? remember, a little goes a long way)
- Knotted, ratty or uncombed hair (don't give reason for baby rats to nest)
- Unshaven, unruly everything (even the old-fashioned aren't lost in cave man days)
Other possibilities submitted by some readers:
- Dirty hands or dirt lodged under the finger / toe ails (and they want to feed you a bite, let alone oh my goodness touch you?)
- Boogers dangling (can you say blow into the handkerchief?)
- Torn or stained clothes (second-hand stores or fashion savvy friends who can go through your closet with you are always an option if affordability is an issue)
- Dirty car, garbage on the floorboards, leftover food in the seats and doors (makes you wonder if you’ll find a porta-potty and kitchen sink in the trunk, too)
- Broken glasses, taped or missing ear pieces (frugal is one thing, but there is help out there)
- Body odor (not just lack of deodorant)
What do you say to a date who is hygiene-challenged?
There is always the not-so-subtle approach for someone with body odor of giving them a basket of goodies containing soaps, colognes, etc. or telling them a shower would feel great before dinner and a movie, and if there is a dirty clothes issue heck, why not throw them in clothes and all (they won't have a choice but to change)? Or, for someone with breath issues, there's the more direct approach of offering someone a breath mint, a handful of fennel seeds (such as what one might find at their favorite Indian restaurant), or a handful of fresh-cut parsley.
However, the truth remains, honesty is always the best policy when it comes to anything including personal hygiene and keeping in mind it may have nothing at all to do with the person and that a light sting now accompanied by a hug could save a partnership for life. Besides, if personal hygiene can build self-esteem, which can help heal depression, which can spread happiness, it can in turn be a win-win for everyone.
So good luck in your dating ventures and as always, don’t take life too seriously, be safe and have some fun.
“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. You are the guy who'll decide where to go..." -Dr. Seuss
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