Section 52
Washing

Did you know that the use of soap to wash the body is quite a relatively recent thing?
No. What did they use before?
Powders and perfume, I suppose.
But people didn’t used to wash as much as we do today.
If you think about it, baths and showers were not used much until 100 years or so ago, or perhaps even less.
Yah. Showers in most countries are a recent habit.
What about saunas and Turkish baths?
Well, the ancient Greeks and Romans had baths, and possibly they had steam bath too. That’s a bit like saunas.
But no showers?
I don’t think so. And no shower jell to wash with, or shower caps to keep the hair dry.
I think that nowadays more people shower than bath, don’t you?
Yes. Well, you need a bigger room for a bath than a shower, don’t you?
And showers are quicker, and don’t use so much water.
That’s important with the modern concern about water consumption.
But I think it is more luxurious to relax in a hot bath.
Me too.