this post was submitted on 01 Jul 2026
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Folks that never shower or bathe, why? (lemmus.org)
submitted 3 weeks ago by ContactClosure@lemmus.org to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml
22 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

I have a few acquaintances that have developed quite a funk. I'm afraid to ask if they think they don't reek or if they have reasons that are more important to them.

I know there's research that supports bathing much less than once per day but this is different. Obviously none in months or years. Lemmers that don't ever shower or bathe, what's your reasoning? Thanks for your insight!

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[โ€“] dlsloop@lemmy.zip 27 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

I shower regularly now but a few years ago I had major depression and stopped showering for months. I could barely motivate myself to breathe. I'm not even kidding, I was so depressed I was struggling to breathe. People don't realize just how much effort it takes to do basic things like eat, brush your teeth, or even get out of bed when you have no will to be alive.

Even so, no one ever commented on it. Not even close family. I've always had super dry skin and I noticed that during this period my skin was actually somewhat normal. It's possible no one said anything out of kindness but I doubt it tbh. Some people just sweat/smell less than others.

[โ€“] SatansMaggotyCumFart@piefed.world 7 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

You probably stank bad people were just being polite.

[โ€“] helix@feddit.org 1 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

After a while, usually the body flora adapts to this and only needs rinsing with water from time to time. It smells like musk and dirt and grime, but it's not that etching, sharp smell one gets when they regularly shower and then stop. It's kind of like a wet dog smell.

There's a few experiments on this. You can train your body to not need soap. But you'll smell displeasing to anyone who is not used to the smell of people not using soap.

[โ€“] ContactClosure@lemmus.org 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

It depends on the person apparently bc one of my friends has been like this for years, still smells real bad.

[โ€“] helix@feddit.org 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Did you tell them? What did they say?

Can you describe the smell? If it's cheesy they might have a yeast infection, for example.

[โ€“] ContactClosure@lemmus.org 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

I am extremely conflict avoidant, hence the Lemmy thread haha. Not cheesy, just smells like old BO. Real old. Gym shorts that were re-worn a few times then left in a duffle bag in a hot car for a week. Times 2. A ~6ft radius outdoors.

[โ€“] helix@feddit.org 2 points 3 weeks ago

Eww. That sounds like they don't wash their clothes either.

[โ€“] ContactClosure@lemmus.org 1 points 3 weeks ago

I totally understand that angle and I'm sorry you ever felt that way. I'm no stranger to depression and I know it's possible seem "fine" while struggling greatly. Maybe that's all it is but I hate to think my friends are struggling that bad without talking to me about it. I'm pretty close with two of them. We talk about that kind of stuff and they haven't said they're so sad they can't shower. Pretty sure it's a conservation issue, or maybe a sensory issue. Hmmm

[โ€“] MrWrinkles@leminal.space 20 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

I was in a community college program with a kid who stank like that. After a few months, I got to know him and I told him, "Dude, you stink." He told me he lived in a trailer with a big family and could never get a shower before class. A lie maybe, but I can believe it. Some folks are just really poor and the water bill isn't always paid up.

[โ€“] RestrictedAccount@lemmy.world 9 points 3 weeks ago

Odor usually has more to do with clean clothes than the body itself

[โ€“] PM_ME_VINTAGE_30S@anarchist.nexus 18 points 3 weeks ago

I'm doing better now, but whenever my mental health goes in the toilet, regular showers are the first thing to go. Showers are not a matter of life and death, and there's no law that says I have to shower, so it's one of the least disruptive things for me to drop when energy is limited.

[โ€“] Malyca@lemmy.zip 15 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

ADHD and depression.

[โ€“] ContactClosure@lemmus.org 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Sometimes. Maybe with one of these people but I really think some of them are saving water or don't like the feel of water on them maybe? Maybe it's a protest against big soap. Looks like I'm going to have to get the courage to ask.

[โ€“] JennyLaFae@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 points 3 weeks ago

I'm protesting big deodorant, takes a few weeks of daily showers and pit stops with a soapy washcloth to avoid being stinky, but most deodorants make your pits smell worse when you aren't using it and once it's detoxed you can use the crystal salt sticks and healthy deodorants without being funky.

[โ€“] Melobol@lemmy.ml 11 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

You won't find people on lemmy who will admit it.
I do know a semi(?)-homeless person who stinks so much I buy air freshener just for when he comes by.
He is a crystal addict, pothead and mentally ill. His mental development is about 14 year old. Very sweet guy.
I believe he is living in a house, but who knows his stories doesn't make sense. He doesn't even have a name because 'they have to gove it to him'.
I don't know if he has a place to shower, but I don't think he has a mind to think of showering. He has several changes of clothes and once.
I believe body odor is a defense mechanism also - you are less likely to get raped if you stink like ... Everything.

If a healthy not addicted person stinks - there are reasons and most of the time it is mental illness or homelessness.
(Except for outliners back to nature and so on)

[โ€“] ContactClosure@lemmus.org 1 points 3 weeks ago

I should have clarified, the people I'm curious about in my life have homes that have running water AND a working hot water heater. They're not mentally ill in an outwardly visible way, they have jobs, a social life, etc. Not saying they don't have struggles, but they are a lot different than the person you describe.

[โ€“] silly_goose@lemmy.today 6 points 3 weeks ago

There was a famous man who didn't bathe for 60 years. He died shortly after taking a bath.

[โ€“] rangber@lemmy.zip 3 points 3 weeks ago

"a few"? What type of friend circle are you in?

[โ€“] bridgeenjoyer@sh.itjust.works 2 points 3 weeks ago

Years? What the fuck

[โ€“] tomi000@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

Months? I think thats pretty exrmtreme. I dont know anybody that holds off on showers that long. I am probably the laziest person I know when it comes to showering and I keep it to at least once a week and that happens very rarely and only when Im not meeting up with other people and also not when its hot and Im sweating, then its usually every (other) day.

But maybe you can just ask them? I know it seems uncomfortable to bring stuff like this up, but they probably have a reason or just dont know that its making others uncomfortable. Like I would be happy if people told me if my breath smells so that I can do something about it instead of them putting up with it and lowering their opinions of me, that kind of thing. If you find out, feel free to update here, now Im invested^^

[โ€“] ContactClosure@lemmus.org 1 points 1 week ago

Where I live there's a lot of hippies, crust punks, and a lot of people in between. I'm pretty sure some people straight up don't shower period. Maybe I can ask a stranger so it's less terrifying. I'm sure I'll happen upon one before long.

[โ€“] Zephyr@sh.itjust.works 1 points 2 weeks ago

Rule of thumb is two days or two poops, that's the time to shower.