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Nose blowing: An ode to the neglected handkerchief

Posted Dec 20 2007, 11:59 AM by Karen Datko
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Jacob, the financially independent 32-year-old who blogs at Early Retirement Extreme, credits Kleenex maker Kimberly-Clark for turning us against the trusty handkerchief. "A handkerchief is, in case you don't know it, a piece of cloth that is approximately 10 by 10 inches," Jacob writes. "For further details, ask any old person over the age of 60." Jacob hasn't been swayed; he carries a white handkerchief in his pocket. He enumerates the many reasons handkerchiefs are far superior to the throw-away paper product. Among them: "I can easily blow through a Kleenex, whereas I have yet to perform the same demonstration of nostril-directed lung power on a handkerchief," he writes.

Handkerchiefs can be reused and washed, and thus, save you money. (We all know what happens when you wash a Kleenex inadvertently left in a shirt pocket.) "The goods news is that unlike cleats, which make your shoe soles last longer," Jacob writes, "it is still possible to buy handkerchiefs in stores."

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Comments

 

My father and oldest brother favored the hanky.  I often had to do laundry and was horrified at having to handle them.  Scary things--they take what you don't want in your nose and put it in your pocket!

KA Harris (Posted 12.20.07 4:20 PM ) Report Abuse

I'm sorry, this is one length I will not go to to save money (and believe me, I'm open to options).  The mere thought makes me want to gag.

Sneezie (Posted 08.05.08 10:12 PM ) Report Abuse

I like Kleenex better because it's more convienient to people. However my grandmother favors the hanky and puts it up her sleeve when she's done with it. EW!

IM Disgusted (Posted 11.18.08 9:47 AM ) Report Abuse

Other people's snot is disgusting. My own is fine.

I don't carry a hanky unless I have a serious cold or allergy issue going on,  but have been known to use (my personal) handtowel at home in preference to a paper tissue. It all comes out in the wash, as they say.

steve (Posted 12.19.08 5:43 PM ) Report Abuse

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