Why did people not bathe often in medievil times?
348802
It was pretty  impractical for them to do so. They were without running water, it all had to be collected from the local well, which as often as not, was polluted. Many diseases killed millions due to contaminated water. Cholera, Typhoid etc.\nThe inclement weather added to the discomfort, soap wasn't readily available either. When the weather did turn nice, it was a quick dip in the nearest river, and that was it.\nMany traditions were started during that period. One that continues to this day, although not for the same reasons, is that Brides carry flowers.\nThis originally to hide their body odor. Usually the first bath of the year, was in May, when following winter, it was beginning to warm up. Most marriages occurred in \nJune, and as you can guess, the bride's odor was a bit gamy, shall we say. \nMost couples married in June, to facilitate, the birth of their first born in the following spring.Giving their first born a better chance of survival.\nThe weather, didn't help, the children born in winter. Due to the cold, and poor heating in their homes, many an infant died. So child mortality, was something they had to consider as well.
379593
This is just a theory, however, in many places that people cover their hair, it is hot and often there is not much water. If people live in the desert or in the mountains, their hair would probably get gritty and oily with little opportunity to wash it. By covering their hair, they could keep it cleaner. Likewise, with material to cover the face, especially during sand storms. Women, in particular, for over two thousand years have taken care of their hair and face as best they could. In other places, the weather may be cold or windy. In these places, men cover their heads as well. Over time, the practical habit of protecting hair and face took on social or sexual connotations that may have had little to do with the original reasons.
284511
This is weird because as I was thinking of questions to ask, I actually thought of THIS one...strange!\n\n  Anyway, if I don't have a shower every day, I feel pretty gross, especially during certain times like the summer and "that time of the month." That's when I sometimes have two a day.\n\n  If I were you, I'd tell this person that it is custom to bathe about every day or so. At least every other day...JEEZ, dude!!!
363332
Well, there's a REALLY rare illness, when people fall asleep for a REALLY long time, like a couple of days...\nI think that the record is amongst them, cos they can sometimes sleep for some months, and in ancient times they were thought to be dead, and barried alive...:S
1173599
People are people. Sometimes that means they need to convince themselves there's a reason they were lucky, or that they had some sort of aid to keep them going, or even that all the terrible things that happened in the 'hard times' happened for a reason ("they must have, the world couldn't be that cruel"). People have been using gods or stories about them to explain everything from the weather to lines of succession probably since before recorded history, it's not really surprising some people still need this sort of reinforcement now.
411401
Actually to answer your question correctly... I never bathe, I take showers\n\nUmmm... yea every other day is nasty.... I shower usually once a day.... when im hot i like to stay in the shower all day but because i can't a do twice or more a day... But other than that... I don't see the need to shower so often.  Wha could i be scrubbin off so much??  I like feelin fresh but twice a day when its not hot... that just makes my skin ashy\n\noh.... and for the person before me who asked why do you shower at night?? well, sometimes i shower at night too and oil down wit baby oil.  When i get in the bed it feels so good.... put me straight to sleep.  You should try it sometime
226853
I think it is out of pure laziness.  These are the same people who walk right out of the bathroom without washing their hands.\n\nIt doesn't take that much time people!  FLUSH and WASH!!!
408055
Jesus was human and had sweay glands so Im sure he stank sometimes.... but as far as the other hygien questions, people werent animals back then, they even had holes carved in structures that served as early toilets. According to the KJV, men of stature "pisseth against the wall" which mean they had enough class to turn their backs and urinate privately.
11755
very.. they had running water, heated water.. a system of aqueducts to transport water from far away.  They bathed daily and had a very well established military and political system.
260819
cause a long, long time ago people used to not have, or not wear cloths, and that is what kept them warm.
145559
My answer is ot supposed to completly argue on the subject, but it may yet give something to think about!!\n\nBecause when humans come up in an area without changing it, they settle in an armless way (if they notice a flooding risk, they adapt themselves to the area: egyptian with the Nile 3000 years ago for exemple).\nOn the other hand, when they show up and develop altering the area situation, such things as flooding that did not happen before may occur. Which would explain why most of the disaster happen in these cases.\n\nMy opinion is that humans should always try to adapt themselves to the situations instead of trying to adapt the situations to themselves (which tend to be more and more frequent unfortunatly).
1060525
I don't usually make generalizations either but the two white people at my work place ALSO forget to wash their hands.  The entire staff at our school knows it and everyone's disgusted by it.  Since we work with children it only makes things worse.  But really, besides those two, I don't know.  \n\nThe reality is that most people don't to wash their hands as often as they should.  Most kids don't wash their hands as often as they should either.  That's why we have flu and cold outbreaks at school.  \n\nIf you're really grossed out by it. get some Purell or Germ X and use it between hand washings.
905557
actually how do you know that? but if you must describe it its was most likely due to the widespread belief that baths where bad for ones health and where usually taken very rarely.
1056935
I don't think British people practice poor hygiene as a general rule, but in the U.S. we do have the advantage of fluoride added to the water supply, which probably makes a large difference.
550203
1) People who don't wash their hands after coming out of the restroom.  Then they grab the door and walk out.  Hey, I have to touch that handle too...\n\n2) People who you can tell don't shower regularly.  A man who was guilty of this used to sit next to me all the time in a lecture, I thought I was going to faint.\n\n3) Disgusting, chewed gum stuck under desks, on theater seats, other places...nobody wants to see or worse, accidentally touch that.
213196
Head lice were a problem, especially at a time when bathing was considered something people did not do. It was easier to shave your head and wear a wig powdered to keep the nasty things off. Judges and barristers in English courts still wear the wigs.
959195
Because they can't take care of themselves.