&gt; He wore a vest summer and winter, and never learned to bathe regularly.<p>I am curious as to why so many geeky&#x2F;nerdy type guys express disinclination to daily bathing (myself included).<p>While regular bathing is beneficial to maintaining hygiene and health, too frequent bathing (especially when using cleansing products) can disrupt the skins natural sebum, pH &amp; moisture control mechanism, dislodge the natural bacterial flora which may predispose the person to harmful infections. Many chemical products commonly used during bathing (soaps, shampoos, gels, disinfectants) are known to mess with the human immune &amp; endocrine systems, a few may even be carcinogenic. Afflictions like eczema, asthma etc. are allegedly attributable to a heightened state of &quot;hygiene&quot; among modern humans - the immune system which keeps constant vigil against infections, is rendered &quot;jobless&quot; because the chemical disinfectants have done it&#x27;s job, eventually attacks the body itself.<p>Spurred by the aggressive marketing from the personal cleansing products manufacturers, daily bathing has become a cultural phenomena in our society. Prime motivation for daily bathing seems to be grooming these days.<p>Anecdote does not equal evidence, but I&#x27;ve encountered many geeks who are inclined to hold off having a bath until it becomes necessary. I wonder why that is?<p>An interesting read: <a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.nytimes.com&#x2F;2010&#x2F;10&#x2F;31&#x2F;fashion&#x2F;31Unwashed.html?_r=1" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.nytimes.com&#x2F;2010&#x2F;10&#x2F;31&#x2F;fashion&#x2F;31Unwashed.html?_r...</a>