Of Men and Baths

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Inspired by the "How often do you bathe/shower" thread, I'd like to open up a discussion on a subject that has caused quite the controversy among me and some of my friends: Is it acceptable for a man to take a bath? Is it proper in general, or only under strict conditions (such as after a session of heavy weight lifting)?

 

Yes, but only if theres a lady in there with you.

 

Acceptable? I guess so. I think it's kind of a pain in the ass and a waste of time and water, myself. I take quick showers. On particularly rough weight-lifting days, when I didn't have access to a hot tub or a sauna, I've soaked before to relax / heal my muscles. But that's me and I'm weird.

If by "acceptable" you're worried about your buddies thinking you're a bit of a Nancy, then I guess it's a little gay. The presence of bubbles*, a novel, or a lufa probably increase the gay factor.

* Unless "Bubbles" is the name of a chick you just met, then you get sufficient butch points.

 

This is actually kinda funny, I have a friend and when we're bored at work we do/talk about weird things to do out of the blue. One was to take a bubble bath with scented candles while eating... and I did

We are kinda strange, but it is fun to just do something different.

On another note, when deciding what we would do if "Groundhog Day" happened to us (relive same day over and over), our top choice was to dress up like the Burger King, and steal a horse... riding it and jumping over a fence. Yeah strange.

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I should add that if I ever take a bath, it is followed by a quick shower/rinse.

 

I hardly ever take a bath, but not out of some sort of irrational fear of losing manliness - more the practical point that it takes much longer than a shower and I've too many other things I'd rather spend my life doing.

 

I very rarely have a bath. The tub in the master bathroom is larger than a standard tub...but I'm 6'4"-ish so my knees still poke out....which is cold. I also don't enjoy sitting in a tub of my own dirt.

I only take 1-2 baths a year, and it's always with the wife. Now, if I had a larger tub that was one of those fancy whirlpool tubs...well, then it's more like a mini hot tub, so I think I'd be willing to take more baths.

 

I can't remember the last time I had a bath. Think it was when I was a kid.

That probably explains the smell.

 

If you're worried about how manly you appear you obviously have something to compensate for

 

I find it quite annoying when visiting family in Scotland, that many of them don't even have showers, just baths. And if I'm lucky enough to find a shower, I have to stand in a bath, and bend down to wash my hair. The shower is a clever concept, as it washes away filth with a constant stream of water, while you can never be completely rid of filth in a bath, because it's still in there as you bathe.
Bathing takes ages compared to showering, and it's less effective than a refreshing shower. Britain is taken over by soak-fans, who like to lie in a soothing bath.

 

Oh hell yeah.

 

After working out real men do not take baths. If you are going to soak your aching body it had better be in a hot tub -- you wimp.

Baths are acceptable as a type foreplay (but then anything is acceptable as foreplay -- dressing up, whips, whipping cream -- anything, so long as you close the deal).

 

If I had a tub sufficiently big I would have a bath every day. Trouble is the bathtubs here are small and cramped, so I don't use them very often. I do, however, use a hot tub every chance I get. On the rare occasions I have a bath, I don't light any freaking candles, put bubbles in, or play Sade while in there. I'm just there for the hot water. I like the hot water, end of story.

One day when I'm rich I'll have my own freaking hot tub.

 

Back from sport it is fantastic to relax in the hot water. A quick wash, drain the water and soak in hot water while reading a book. A had a small tv that I placed just outside harm's way.

 

But what if Bubbles is the name of the guy you just met?

Seriously, though, I much prefer a shower simply because of the feel. I prefer activity to inactivity. If I'm sick, though, there's nothing better than a hot bath to make me feel human again. Other than that, if I've really excerted myself (such as moving the entire apartment almost entirely by myself in 4 days, including the 26 alcohol boxes filled with books), I'll take a long, hot bath with course salt crystals to soothe the muscles. 1 day of aching is much preferable to 5 days of aching.

 

Whats wrong with having a bath? My home is only fitted with a bath, before going to Uni a shower was something I would only get when staying at mates house or on holiday. I dont get what this big issue is that "oh no I'm in water that has just washed me", get over it you wuss! There's nothing wrong with a bath and if you cant stand to be in water that you have just washed yourself in then you are a serious nancy!

 

Most days I have a shower and a bath. I shower in the morning when I first get up, and I take a bath with my kid (who is currently 1.5 years old) in the evening. Jack loves to splash the water all over the place in the tub, and it got to the point that since you were going to get soaked giving him a bath anyway, it just made more sense to get in there with him and pull the shower curtain closed. I cannot remember the last time I just took a bath for the sake of taking a bath - it's certainly been years.

 

*grunt grunt* *manly slap on the back* *phwoar, we isn't nancy boys or nuffin'*
You guys must have friction burns on your fingers from typing so quickly to deny going in the bath. God forbid anyone would think you did anything girly!

Showers are easier for everyone but it's nice to just chill in the bath now and then

 

I haven't taken a bath *alone* since I was a teenager (and living in an apartment with no shower). It's uncomfortable. I have yet to find a bath where I can stretch out my 6'3" (190 cm), 190 lb (86 kg) frame. Parts of the body stick out at odd angles (no, not those parts) and get cold -- either my legs are freezing or my upper body is out of the water. I'm not a contortionist and can't fit sideways either.

I prefer a hot tub. I never do anything girly (neither does Mrs Bruno for that matter). I don't even know anyone named Nancy.

 

What's with all these hot baths after intense exercise? Hot baths just open up the blood vessels and INCREASE the amount of swelling and inflammation.

Harden up and hop in an ice bath as recovery from real exercise, then you nancies will be able to go out and do it all again tomorrow!