Mmmm, Mmmmm…. that slimey goodness.

I should have posted this a long time ago. But I just did something without even thinking about it, and it made me realize that I’ve become feral.

Feral:

1. existing in a natural state, as animals or plants; not domesticated or cultivated; wild.
2. having reverted to the wild state, as from domestication: a pack of feral dogs roaming the woods.
3. of or characteristic of wild animals; ferocious; brutal.

I’ve been completely grossed out in the past by family members walking into the bathroom and blowing their nose – INTO THEIR HAND / SINK, and then washing it OFF / DOWN the drain. They blow several times, and you can hear the congestion evacuating their sinuses, no matter where you are in the house, regardless of whether the door is open or closed.

I, of course, have spent plenty of time in the country – living amongst the animals without the sprawl of cement and asphalt. I learned a long time ago the appropriate body positioning required to efficiently blow a “farmer snot” out of one nostril in order to minimize snotting on myself. And then quickly, mirroring the act with the other nostril…

But after returning to civilization, I have generally snotted in Kleenex or TP (toilet paper). Buuuuuuut… that’s not how it’s done here.

HERE, it’s normal to walk into the bathroom (WHICH WE ALL SHARE), bend over the sink, and blow it out. Granted, I’ve never watched someone do this, so I’m only guessing to a certain degree. Meaning that I’m not sure whether or not they are blowing it straight into the sink, or into their hand first, and then washing it down. Regardless, the toilet is in a different room, and there’s no TP in the douch (shower / sink / washing machine).

I’m just going to forget about the hygiene issue, and the possibility of spreading your flora all over the sink, faucet handle, mirror, wall, etc. I knew there was a reason to use paper.

Anyway, this morning I found myself settling right in. I went in to brush my teeth, but needed to blow my nose. So without hesitation, I leaned over, wetted my hands with running water, and blew away – followed by the cursory rinse down towards the bowels of the building.

I stood up, looked at myself in the mirror, and said: “you’ve become feral.” My unshaven face, scraggly hair, and unshowered skin don’t help the image, neither…