Dirty Dirty.

some view handkerchiefs as a tool of self-cleansing - it wipes stains away and is percieved to generally improve one's personal hygiene. 

allow me to suggest a handkerchief is, in fact, one of the WORST things to happen to the wonderful squeaky clean world of personal hygiene.

this morning, i saw a little boy enter the lift with his grandma who was bringing him to school (i see him almost every other day).

he had evidently just cried as his eyes were red and he had a donkey-like long face and was sniffing like a starved mongrel. (he's rather cute when he's NOT crying.)

so he took a handkerchief out of his pocket and blew his nose.. and then folded it in half and wiped his face.

and then put it back into his pocket.

i was mortified.

just imagine: he won't wash it for the entire day and obviously, even if he did, would not have the proper way or means to dry it in order for re-use (i've been told that isnt necessary for a good handkerchief).

i've seen people cough and spit their phlegm into their handkerchiefs too.

if one uses a handkerchief, he would essentially be wiping his face for the entire day with the accumulated grime, dirt, perspiration, saliva, mucus, phlegm, blood, tears and assorted gravies and sauces throughout the day.

who on earth would want to do that?!

i'm still mortified. handkerchiefs are sick.