September 08, 2003

my non-favorite things.

There are the obvious differences one takes into consideration when one transplants oneself. The language change is often the first that comes to mind. Soon follow assorted cultural differences, from food, to religion, to customs and back again. However, it's those little, quirky differences that can really grab you, and shake you hard enough to bang your brain up against your skull.

Like washcloths.

Oh, american washcloths, how I love thee. A simply squared-shaped, soft piece of terrycloth, perfect for scrubbing here and there, without a worry in the world. Nothing is as lovely as an american washcloth.

However, the european counterparts are just wrong. Our lovely square has been folded up into rectangle form, then sewn up along the sides and bottom to create some sort of shapeless washmitten. To bathe one's self properly, one has to stick their hand into the black hole that is the washmitten. That's where the problem comes in.

I'm scared of the washmitten.

Of course, the fact that we chose deathmit washmittens in a deep raspberry didn't help. But I'm certain that there are some weird sort of shower vermin hiding in the abyss, waiting for a chance to chow down on my fingertips.

Mommy, help me.

Posted by Kim at September 8, 2003 12:46 PM
Comments

We have the washmittens in Austria too. I have a strong dislike of them, since they are generally a poor fit for my hand. I just use them like regular washcloths, without sticking my hand inside.

I'd never thought about bath vermin before, although I do dread what might be living inside my garden clogs.

Posted by: Mig at September 8, 2003 12:56 PM

I'm just the opposite! I like the bathmitt because it stays on my hand... but they only have the flat, rectangular ones here. :(

Posted by: srah at September 8, 2003 12:57 PM

Um, I have no idea what they have here in Sweden when it comes to washcloth equivalents: We just use our hands.

However, on a related note, we have here in Sweden (as in the rest of continental Europe if I recall correctly) the duvet that is used without a top sheet. Which I've always found a bit odd. I don't fear it, but I do hate it in the summer when it's too hot to use the duvet, but the only alternative is, well, nothing at all, and I can't sleep without at least a sheet to cover me.

Posted by: francis s. at September 9, 2003 03:06 PM

Don't know what these washcloth things are, I presume it's no relation of the dishcloth but sounds like it might be what a Brit would know as a flannel. Eitherway the concept of rubbing ones self over with a manky bit of threadbare cloth that's probably never had a proper chance to dry out really doesn't appeal to me. Have you people not heard of sponges, or better, a loofah? Okay so the natural ones rot if left damp and ultimately fall apart but they have density when you grab them in your hand! Rightly I wouldn't put my hand in a washmitten; rubber gloves are pretty creepy too and only any fun for making pretend cockerel heads (or udders)...

Posted by: Jacob at September 9, 2003 04:37 PM

Well, yes, generally I use just my hands in the shower, and save the washcloths for when I give the kid a bath. And they are used just once, then laundered, so no troublesome mankiness.

The duvets took me a while to get used to, but I like them now, especially in winter, and making the bed is far easier with them. In summer we use thin summer blankets instead.

Posted by: mig at September 9, 2003 06:45 PM

Why not slice the washmitten along two seams to create our beloved American washcloth?

Posted by: Glasspanther at September 9, 2003 10:23 PM

yeah, the duvet thing weirds me out a bit too. it's great during winter, but leaves a lack of options for summer. when we were in the midst of the deadly heatwave here, I ended up throwing the duvet cover on the bed without the duvet in it. heh

(and as far as cutting the washmitten, I could, but the seam is pretty well done so I'm pretty sure I would just end up with a ragged, frayed square of pathetic-looking fabric) :(

Posted by: kim at September 10, 2003 06:23 AM

well washclothes here in australia are pretty good! ia little rough... and hey, you wrote this entry on my birthday! yeah!

Posted by: panos at September 10, 2003 12:07 PM

Everybody send Kim some American washcloths. ;-)

Posted by: Elke at September 12, 2003 03:06 AM

In australia we call "washclothes", face washers. I moved to Holland a few years ago and discovered the european version, thought my boyfriend's mum must have been following handy-tips in the Dutch equivalent of the Women's weekly or something. Friends I know from Brazil find it weird too.

Posted by: faith at September 13, 2003 03:36 AM

perhaps you could buy a larger towel and cut it up into smaller, easier-to-manage "washclothes".

are american towels, in general, larger than european towels?

Posted by: Michael at September 13, 2003 07:54 AM