1. BY: BRIAN BECKER PERSONAL HYGIENE IN GERMANY:

2. BACKGROUND Despite being sticklers for a healthy lifestyle, there are numerous personal hygiene issues in Germany. These vary from habits such as smoking, drinking, or a day at the spa, to the inadequate washing of one’s body.

3. PERSONAL HYGIENE Many Germans are not as keen as Americans with showering daily, or putting on deodorant. Traditionally, Germans like to shower only a few times a week, and always on a Saturday evening to prepare for church on Sunday.

4. PERSONAL HYGIENE (CONT.) German culture is also much more liberal on the issue of nudity than the United States, allowing nudity in advertisements and television. Saunas and spas in Germany are almost always co- ed. Many Americans are disconcerted by the fact that everyone is often in the nude, while bathing suites are the norm in the United States. While many of the specialist doctors, like gynecologists, use paper robes in America, Germans prefer to remain in the nude, exposing their body to a less sterile environment.

5. PERSONAL HYGIENE (CONT.) One of the unhealthiest habits for the majority of Germans is smoking. Popular among the youth, and allowed nearly everywhere, cigarette smoke is often inescapable.

6. PERSONAL HYGIENE (CONT.) A common sight in Germany is that of a Putzfrau-or cleaning lady. Traditionally, these women are hired to keep the bathrooms sanitary throughout the day. The number of these valuable workers have dwindled over the years, and are now found primarily in the more pricy enterprises, or hired in the homes of those who can afford them.

7. PERSONAL HYGIENE (CONT.) Germany has excellent health care, easily seen in the Apotheke. These local “drug stores” allow one to get any medication needed in the case of illness, without the need for prescriptions.

8. QUESTIONS What is a Putzfrau? What day do Germans tend to always bathe on?

9. ANSWERS A cleaning lady. Saturday

10. BIBLIOGRAPHY http://www.german-way.com/health.html http://www.german-way.com/intervw2rn.html http://www.forum- apotheke.com/images/apotheke.jpeg http://www.forum- apotheke.com/images/apotheke.jpeg http://media.news.de/resources/thumbs/4c/4e/855 108123_800x600/fe93f6fe1e97b7fad48bfaf21aa4.jpg http://media.news.de/resources/thumbs/4c/4e/855 108123_800x600/fe93f6fe1e97b7fad48bfaf21aa4.jpg

11. CULTURE PHOTO