Life is a series of lessons. How to build muscle. How to trim a beard. Some lessons in life are taught so easily that they feel nearly automatic. Others aren't often taught explicitly, though.
Ever learn how to empty your belly button? How to wash your butt? Well, those things might seem like common sense to you, but it turns out they're not so common for others.
Per usual, a juicy r/AskReddit thread left users spilling all of the dirty details. In this case, some late-blooming Redditors shared the hygiene norms they didn't quite learn at the very beginning of their lives. Instead, they learned these nine rules a little bit later than the rest of us. And those who can't do, teach.
1. Clean your belly button.
"Your belly button doesn't clean itself. You do need to dig in there and clean it properly." —wolverine-claws
No, that cavernous stomach hole isn't self-washing. It's your job to keep it fresh. Lint, hair, and other debris can get caught in your belly button, so make sure you give it a wash in the shower.
2. Brush your tongue.
"I had no idea you're supposed to brush your tongue until I was about 20." —accountofyawaworht
Your tongue can be a breeding ground for plaque, germs, and of course, bad breath. Use a scraper (many are located on toothbrushes!) to get in there and eliminate the layer of nasty germs. If you notice major discoloration or cleaning doesn't fix it, you might want to head to the dentist.
3. Wash your butt, people.
"This one is REALLY embarrassing to me....when my boyfriend and I started dating of course we'd f*** like rabbits then be so sweaty and gross we would have to take a shower. I gave him a washcloth and noticed he....really scrubbed his ass. I had no idea you had to do that. I went 18 years of my life not knowing that you really have to scrub it." —bbbbbounce
So apparently nobody knows how to wash their ass. There is a right way and a wrong way and that's that. The most wrong of all ways, though, is not washing at all.
4. Swamp penis or swamp crotch is curable.
"To prevent swamp balls just add baby powder on them." —its_only_smellzz
Whether it's the sweaty summertime or a warm workout, a swampy crotch and balls are easily taken care of. The phenomenon known as summer penis can be remedied with baby powder, among other things.
5. Ask questions.
"Just because you can't smell yourself doesn't mean others can't." —Heightren
Not sure whether your deodorant is doing its job? Do a little recruiting. You might be unable to detect your own funky scent, but an honest friend can easily tell you whether or not they could smell you coming.
6. You don't need to wash your hair daily.
"Not shampooing your hair every day is not only acceptable, but in some cases actually better for your hair and scalp." —tossytossing
Shampoo is indeed necessary, but it's not required once or twice daily. Sometimes you've gotta give your scalp a break. Washing your hair too much can dry it out or lead to thinness and breakage.
7. Beauty isn't pain.
"That skin products shouldn't burn. I had terrible acne basically from when I was 11 and spent half my life trying to scour it off with the strongest cleansers I could buy before finally figuring out I had sensitive skin and needed to avoid touching my face." —poisonpuffball
We're all under the impression that you must feel something to be sure it's working. When exercising, this might be the case. When washing your face with cleanser, this should be minimal. Severe pain or tingling is a sign of irritation.
8. Moisturize.
"As a man.. using moisturizer daily. It's the last step before I get dressed in the morning. Usually only hands and face, but what a difference it makes" —juanstamos21
Your skin is parched. It's crying out for some hydration and water, like you after a long run. Give it a little love with some hydration-packed moisturizer. You'll notice a different in your skin almost immediately.
9. Pay attention.
"Making sure to shave the fine hairs right below the hairline on the back of your neck. Since they're light they can be easily missed, but once they catch the light they're very noticeable." —Cordurkna27
The finer, thinner hairs are a bit easier to miss. Keep your hairline as clean as possible by making sure the hard-to-reach neck hairs aren't left behind.
Ok, so you may have forgotten a few of these. No judgment. Now that you know better, you can do better. Godspeed.
Louis Baragona
Louis is a New York-based writer focusing on style, gear and grooming
