Why do people (especially older men) use a handkerchief instead of a kleenex or the like.?

Question

It's disgusting. And then what? They take it home, throw it in the wash with other garments and you have your boogers floating and catching on everywhere. Use a tissue and throw it away. Also, if you've used it, you can't offer it to some damsel in distress. She don't want no boogie in the eye.

Answer 1

Some old people probably use handkerchiefs because they're used to that, they grew up using them and never saw a reason to change.

My husband and I use handkerchiefs. The main reason is the environment, we don't like to make excessive waste. Why use paper when you can use a handkerchief and wash it and use it again? Also, my husband needs to blow his nose very often because of the work he does and paper is bad for him, some chemicals in the paper irritate him and his nose gets red and sore, while it stays completely ok when he uses handkerchiefs.

We wash our handkerchiefs separately from our other laundry and we wash them very well. We have never found an old booger anywhere, on anything.

And speaking of hygiene... paper gets wet all the way through, leaving a filthy flora of bacteria on your hands, which few people seem to bother washing after every time they blow their nose, while handkerchiefs are thicker and usually don't get wet all the way through, so your hands stay clean.

Answer 2

It's called habituation. Most older men grew up using a handkerchief. Last thing their mother said before they went to school was "Have you got a clean handkerchief?"
When Kleenex came out, it appealed more to women, as the guys thought it was sissy stuff, okay for some little girl to dab at her nose with, but not up to a hearty masculine sneeze.
Basically, that's why.
I absolutely agree with you that tissues are more sanitary (but the tissue resistant guys will tell you it doesn't make sense to cut down a tree to blow your nose, when a handkerchief can be washed and reused a zillion times) but until the tissue companies stop putting them in pretty boxes, adding lotion and floral scents, I don't think they're going to attract many older men.
So -- you can either wait for the older men to die off, or just accept that that's the way they are.

Answer 3

Actually I think it's pretty good for a man to carry a clean handkerchief, it can come pretty handy in many situations. He can offer it to someone who is crying, or use it to help clean a child's face. It's very classy.

The dirty hanky goes in the washer and the booers don't go floating, they get disolved in the detergent and go away with the rest of the dirt in the water. Less paper waste too.

Answer 4

I have an uncle that uses handkerchiefs,he says that kleenex irritates his nose even more,he has alergies. Anyways, he throws the boogerchiefs in with his t-shirts and under wear in hot water and washes them that way. Everything seems to come out clean,but it seems really gross to me.

Answer 5

Here's a riddle for you :
What does a rich man keep in his pocket, that a poor man throws away.

Answer 6

I don't use either, I use my hand.
its natures hankercheif.
its also natures toilet paper.

now give me a high five!...

Answer 7

i really dont know....but i like this question...it made me laugh...hehe sorry idk the answer!