A shower every day? Mais non, say French

ONE in five French people admit that they don’t bother to shower every day.

And some even confessed to only taking a shower once a week – or less.

Hand washing is also ‘ not always a priority for the French’, according to a study into the nation’s hygiene habits.

An eighth of those questioned said they do not bother after going to the toilet.

Nearly half also admitted they do not clean their hands after travelling on public transport even though most thought buses and trains were ‘ the dirtiest objects in daily life’.

Even having a meal doesn’t always result in good hygiene as more than one in five said they do not wash their hands before sitting down to eat.

The findings were released in conjunction with Global Handwashing Day last Monday,

Meanwhile, the bath is in decline in France with only 18 per cent taking to the tub once a week. Six in ten admit they do not bathe frequently.

One in 29 shower once a week or less. In contrast, 11 per cent go to the other extreme by showering several times daily, according to the poll for hygiene product makers Tork.

Nearly nine in ten always washing their hands before starting to prepare food.

Hygiene could also be improved on this side of the Channel. More than half of men in a June poll admitted they regularly skipped a morning shower, with a quarter opting for more time in bed.

The report by the Global Hygiene Council also found that barely half of adults always wash their hands with soap after going to the toilet.