Filipino Hygiene: Do We Really Take Shower 2x a Day?
Good personal hygiene is the most reliable defense against sickness. Maintaining adequate personal hygiene will also aid in the prevention of illness transmission. Good hygiene is essential because it helps to keep germs and infectious illnesses at bay. Thus, knowing all of this is a treasure that every Filipino preserve. But, for whatever reason, Filipinos are inherently sanitary. Not only is it good for our health, but it’s also a natural practice for us. We are born and raised to be clean, appear clean, and stay clean. It’s all part of our Filipino ethos.
Filipinos value hygiene, which is why we take daily showers. Taking a daily bath is nearly a cultural practice. We’re a little particular about hygiene. And it is not uncommon for Filipinos to bathe at least twice a day. It is part of our everyday routine since we are always conscious of how we smell and are quite sensitive to body odor.
So, if you’re a foreigner living in the Philippines, you don’t have to worry about body smells in public areas. Hence, the next time you catch yourself battered by a mob on the train, take solace in the fact that your Filipino co-passenger undoubtedly took the time to shower first. Bath time appears to be a daily routine precious to many Filipinos, as seen by their shopping behavior.
Here are 5 Truths about Filipino Hygiene
1. Filipinos, in general, are quite hygienic.
We take a bath every day, which is true for most Filipinos. Also, look at our bags, purses, or even luggage, especially those of Filipina girls. You’ll see many health and beauty products like sanitizers, alcohol, tissue, wipes, colognes, etc. Additionally, the hot temperature in the Philippines necessitates that we Filipinos take a bath. We frequently take baths twice a day. One when we get up and another before we go to bed. We can only relieve ourselves by bathing, especially in hot weather.
2. The majority of Filipinos do not use hair dryers.
We just don’t use them on a regular basis and instead rely on air drying. Filipinos are naturally inclined toward organic processes, not to mention “the zero-cost ways.” Hair dryers are only available to Filipinos when we visit a hair salon for a blowout. The question now is, why is this so? Hair dryers, on the other hand, are too costly for Filipinos. So, in a Filipina tradition, we may either walk out with damp hair or use an electric fan to dry it whenever we desire.
3. Electric toilet flushes are not often present in Filipino houses.
Most of the time, it is not there in the house, so they must flush manually. As a result, most Filipinos cannot use it correctly. Unfortunately, some public restrooms in the Philippines are unsanitary, so be prepared to pee while sitting in the air. In addition, there is a scarcity of tissues in the restrooms. Hence, you’ll be left with nothing but water to clean yourself after pooping. However, because Filipinos are born prepared, most of us pack our own tissue everywhere we go. We also have alcohol and sanitizers. Even if the CRs (bathrooms) aren’t always immaculate, we make it a point to leave the comfort room clean and tidy. So, if you’re dating a Filipina, you won’t have to worry about using public restrooms because they always carry a hygiene kit in their purses.
4. It is a Filipino tradition to eat with our hands occasionally.
That’s true. It’s a custom or common practice, especially in far-flung places or provinces, to eat with their bare hands. We have the “budol-budol” tradition, in which we place and serve assorted foods on a table using a banana leaf as a multi-purpose plate. Then we ate them with our own hands. Although foreigners may not fully grasp this ritual, many individuals find it enjoyable and fascinating. Even now, older generations, particularly those truly old-school grannies, are still doing this. Other dishes are difficult to eat with only a spoon or a fork. And because most Filipinos live contentedly in simple kitchen utensils, our only cutlery during a meal is a spoon and fork. We eat dishes that are either bony or hard-cooked with our hands.
5. Filipinos are known to shower twice daily and clean their teeth three times every day after each meal.
That is broadly correct. We also use soap and water to clean our genitals. When we take a crap, we use tabo or a bidet to clean our behind. It’s what the vast majority of Filipinos do. Filipinos are often well-dressed, clean, and smell pleasant since we practice good personal hygiene. It might also be related to culture or even superstition. Older people believe that being unclean physically or at home brings bad luck, but being clean in general brings good luck. One thing is certain: Filipinos are tremendously conscious of their physical appearance.
How Filipinos keep themselves Hygienic
Body washing
Every Filipino has an impeccable daily regimen that includes bathing or showering. They always wash thoroughly, especially beneath the armpits and around the genitals and anus. Filipinos believe that being clean will avoid skin irritations and rid the body of microorganisms that create odor. We always use soap, shower gel, or a hypoallergenic shower gel to wash.
Genital washing
Filipino males, 99% of whom are circumcised, clean their penis gently and meticulously with warm water or soap. Filipino women, however, use a soap-free wash, feminine wash, or plain water to carefully cleanse the sensitive skin surrounding the vulva. Most Filipinas avoid fragrant soap and bath products since they may irritate the vulva’s delicate skin.
Keeping body odor in check
Filipinos apply deodorant to their armpits after washing. We always put on clean and dry clothes. It’s also a common practice to wash sweaty or soiled clothes thoroughly and, if possible, hang them to dry outside.
Safe food handling
Before and after making meals, Filipinos always wash their hands. This will prevent everyone from contaminating food and keep us from being unwell or passing pathogens from foods such as raw meat.
Avoiding Bad Breath
We believe that poor oral hygiene might contribute to bad breath. Hence, Filipinos routinely brush and floss their teeth at least twice a day to help prevent gum disease and eventual tooth decay. We don’t often follow oral care guidelines or even schedule a check-up with a dentist, but we make a habit of doing the basic practice – of brushing our teeth daily.
