# When was the last time you took a bath instead of a shower and why did you do so? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 26, 2016, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-took-a-bath-instead-of-a-shower-and-why-did-you-do-so/747247 "2016-02-26T19:56:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2016, 10:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-took-a-bath-instead-of-a-shower-and-why-did-you-do-so/747247/61 "2016-02-27T10:22:05Z")
I bathe every day. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2016, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-took-a-bath-instead-of-a-shower-and-why-did-you-do-so/747247/62 "2016-02-27T13:16:41Z")
April 22, 2012. My family had spent the night in the Disney Dream Suite (above the Pirates of the Caribbean ride). The suite was appointed with a DEEP bathtub/jacuzzi in a grotto. I wasn’t going to NOT take it for a spin. (Can’t link to a picture from my tablet. Will try later) ---
**Author:** ![Les\_Espaces\_Du\_Sommeil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/les_espaces_du_sommeil/32/308_2.png) [@Les\_Espaces\_Du\_Sommeil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Les_Espaces_Du_Sommeil)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2016, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-took-a-bath-instead-of-a-shower-and-why-did-you-do-so/747247/63 "2016-02-27T14:33:18Z")
In the last month or perhaps barely over that. I usually don’t have the time to take baths but I manage to do so on my birthday and at the start of a new year, to make it a bit special :D. I also take a bath when I feel ill. All in all that adds up to 4-5 baths a year, at most. Showers the rest of the time. ---
**Author:** ![Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/channing_idaho_banks/32/250_2.png) [@Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Channing_Idaho_Banks)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2016, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-took-a-bath-instead-of-a-shower-and-why-did-you-do-so/747247/64 "2016-02-27T15:05:02Z")
The nice thing about taking a bath is at the end: letting the water drain out while you relax in the warm tub. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2016, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-took-a-bath-instead-of-a-shower-and-why-did-you-do-so/747247/65 "2016-02-27T17:01:08Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > April 22, 2012. > > My family had spent the night in the Disney Dream Suite (above the Pirates of the Caribbean ride). The suite was appointed with a DEEP bathtub/jacuzzi in a grotto. I wasn’t going to NOT take it for a spin. > > (Can’t link to a picture from my tablet. Will try later) Whoops. According to the engraving on the crystal bowl they presented us with, I got the weekend wrong. So my last bath was on April _ **29** _, 2012. And the bath was in [this](http://tombricker.smugmug.com/Disney/Magic-Kingdom/i-cJJGp6L/0/M/cinderella-castle-suite-bathroom-tub-2-M.jpg) tub. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2016, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-took-a-bath-instead-of-a-shower-and-why-did-you-do-so/747247/66 "2016-02-27T17:18:25Z")
I do both almost all the time. I put in the plug, turn on the shower, sit down and let it fill up as I lather my hair, arms. armpits, torso and the rest of the dirty/naughty bits. This happens while the shower is directed off the side and I have lean into it to get the body wet. Then I sit there for awhile enjoying my air hot tub and the body parts that tend to need a better cleaning get a good soak. After awhile, I pull the plug, stand up, and give myself a good rinsing off. Best of both worlds IMO. Plus I don’t have to stand (I’m a lazy bastard). ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2016, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-took-a-bath-instead-of-a-shower-and-why-did-you-do-so/747247/67 "2016-02-27T17:38:06Z")
I prefer showers generally and have a smaller-than-standard tub, so I never take baths at home. However if I’m traveling and staying in a nice hotel room with a big sunken tub or some such I’ll indulge. It is nice to soak in hot water once in a blue moon. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2016, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-took-a-bath-instead-of-a-shower-and-why-did-you-do-so/747247/68 "2016-02-27T17:41:23Z")
I was suffering from sciatica, had a massage and ended up covered in oil, so a long soak in a hot bath with a good book was essential on several counts. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2016, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-took-a-bath-instead-of-a-shower-and-why-did-you-do-so/747247/69 "2016-02-27T21:11:02Z")
> [@Eva\_Luna](#): > > I only take showers if there is no bathtub. I find baths relaxing, and they loosen up my gimpy ankle. Not to single you out, but for bathers – how do you wash your hair? Do you bathe and then shower to wash your hair and rinse off? ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2016, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-took-a-bath-instead-of-a-shower-and-why-did-you-do-so/747247/70 "2016-02-27T22:31:54Z")
I usually bathe. I don’t like water in my face, so don’t tend to like showers. I’ll shower if I’m coloring my hair at home and need to rinse the color out (doesn’t work well in the tub), but otherwise I bathe. In the winter it gets me warm through, in the summer cools me down. If I’m stressed it relaxes me. I have a big soaking tub with a sloped back - a big investment. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2016, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-took-a-bath-instead-of-a-shower-and-why-did-you-do-so/747247/71 "2016-02-27T22:33:29Z")
> [@gigi](#): > > Not to single you out, but for bathers – how do you wash your hair? Do you bathe and then shower to wash your hair and rinse off? I lie down in the tub and get my hair wet, then rinse it by lying back again and getting the soap out. The only time this is really problematic is when the water had bubbles or bath stuff in it, in which case, I rinse with a pitcher of water. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2016, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-took-a-bath-instead-of-a-shower-and-why-did-you-do-so/747247/72 "2016-02-27T23:31:39Z")
> [@gigi](#): > > Not to single you out, but for bathers – how do you wash your hair? Do you bathe and then shower to wash your hair and rinse off? Whether I take a bath or shower I wash my hair separately, in the kitchen sink. That’s because I have really long hair and by doing it in the sink I can bend over and really thoroughly get the bits under the pony tail/braid and over the back of the neck, make sure the scalp gets soaped and rinsed, and rinse it from the roots to the ends. I prefer the result I get from that. YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![Thylacine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thylacine/32/1143_2.png) [@Thylacine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thylacine)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2016, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-took-a-bath-instead-of-a-shower-and-why-did-you-do-so/747247/73 "2016-02-28T01:55:23Z")
Had a bath this morning after a big leg workout earlier. I was in there a good long while too. ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2016, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-took-a-bath-instead-of-a-shower-and-why-did-you-do-so/747247/74 "2016-02-28T03:22:39Z")
> [@gigi](#): > > Not to single you out, but for bathers – how do you wash your hair? Do you bathe and then shower to wash your hair and rinse off? Nope, rinse it in the tub. Really, it isn’t an issue. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2016, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-took-a-bath-instead-of-a-shower-and-why-did-you-do-so/747247/75 "2016-02-28T04:04:18Z")
It’s been 5 or more years. I take baths when I am chilled to the bone after spending a winter day outside, usually on a lake, where the wind can make cold seem extreme. The hot water warms and relaxes my muscles so I will not be too stiff, sore, and cold to sleep. ---
**Author:** ![DorkVader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2016, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-took-a-bath-instead-of-a-shower-and-why-did-you-do-so/747247/76 "2016-02-28T15:33:51Z")
> [@gnoitall](#): > > Given the routine bathing environment of our house, I’ll only do it for aches and pains. The tub just isn’t big enough to really be comfortable. (I’m 6’7", so I really need a laaaarge tub.) > > But I would cheerfully mangle any number of innocent human beings to take a good Japanese _furo_ bath. I took a bath with Epsom salts last week after spending the week drilling holes in the concrete warehouse floor for anchor bolts to secure the re-arranged shelving racks. I had to google that **gnoitall** and it looks awesome, now I want one for my house. ---
**Author:** ![Flyer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/flyer/32/7298_2.png) [@Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flyer)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2016, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-took-a-bath-instead-of-a-shower-and-why-did-you-do-so/747247/77 "2016-02-28T15:56:31Z")
An astonishing number of people seem to misunderstand the purpose of bathing. This may be one reason why so many people have an otherwise-inexplicable preference for showers. The purpose of taking a bath is not to relax, or to have a good time, or to soak, or anything like that. The purpose of taking a bath is to get clean. Period. If you’re in the tub for more than 20 minutes, you’re doing it wrong. If you put more than a few inches of water in the tub, you’re doing it wrong. If you find the tub too cramped, you’re probably doing it wrong. (Unless you’re freakishly tall or fat.) ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2016, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-took-a-bath-instead-of-a-shower-and-why-did-you-do-so/747247/78 "2016-02-28T16:36:01Z")
> [@Flyer](#): > > The purpose of taking a bath is not to relax, or to have a good time, or to soak, or anything like that. The purpose of taking a bath is to get clean. Period. If you’re in the tub for more than 20 minutes, you’re doing it wrong. If you put more than a few inches of water in the tub, you’re doing it wrong. If you find the tub too cramped, you’re probably doing it wrong. (Unless you’re freakishly tall or fat.) There’s no definitive rule book on how to use a bathtub or take a bath, thank goodness. Otherwise my grandmother would have gone to hell for using it to thaw turkeys and make corned beef. And I guess I’ll go to hell for being freakishly tall and fat, AND for using the bath to warm up. But thanks for sharing your outlook. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2016, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-took-a-bath-instead-of-a-shower-and-why-did-you-do-so/747247/79 "2016-02-28T16:41:55Z")
Yes. When I bath I often think of Kelly Clarkson…TMI I know but there you go… ---
**Author:** ![Arrendajo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Arrendajo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arrendajo)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2016, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-took-a-bath-instead-of-a-shower-and-why-did-you-do-so/747247/80 "2016-02-28T16:48:22Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > It’s homeopathic filth! You’ll never be clean again. > > The power of the dirt compels me. > The power of the dirt compels me. > The power of the dirt compels me. > The power of the dirt compels me. Thanks for the best laugh I am going to have all day! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-took-a-bath-instead-of-a-shower-and-why-did-you-do-so/747247.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-took-a-bath-instead-of-a-shower-and-why-did-you-do-so/747247.md?page=5)