The climate in the Philippines

The climate in the Philippines is a bit tricky to understand. Personally, I only describe it in two extremes: hot and hotter; wet and wetter.

In any case, we Filipinos generally take a bath at least once daily, especially before reporting to work, or going to school or plainly before going out of the house (wherever the destination is).

In this regard, we changed our clothes daily. (Yes, all of it, especially the under garments!) What's the use anyway of having freshly bathed if you're going to wear the shirt you were wearing yesterday? Even if that particular shirt (worn yesterday) was washed and dried late last night, (unless it's a uniform) better not wear it again or people might think you didn't hit the shower today. :-D

In addition, women shampoo their hair daily (well, I do!). In this country it is actually a "fashion" to wear one's hair wet (au naturelle) to the schools and offices. A wet hair is visible evidence that you took a bath that particular day.

So we're so fixated with looking good and smelling fresh and nice that we probably take a bath not just once but on the average twice a day: one before going out in the morning and another one before going to bed at night. It's understandable I guess because of the tropical climate.

Considering this fixation in good grooming and proper hygiene, you can't blame us if we snoot our noses over "others" with rather offensive body aromas. I guess it's ok to be poor and wearing tattered clothes, as long as you look fresh and smells nice.