shaving legs

I have been thoroughly warned not to drink the water or even use it when brushing my teeth. Curiously enough, I was also warned not to go swimming in any rivers due to parasites that can go through your skin. My question is this, obviously people shower with unfiltered water straight from the faucet, so is it safe enough to shave my legs with? Obviously shaving increases the chances of getting a minor cut, but if I am using unfiltered water is that going to cause major problems?

It really depends which city you're in and what your water source is - there are places I've been able to drink pure water from the tap and there are others where I wouldn't put water into my mouth unless it came out of a quality-controlled container. But unless there's an actual reason to be concerned about the contamination levels of the water in the place you're in (more than the well-meaning but paranoid warnings mentioned), you should be fine shaving your legs with it, or using it to rinse your mouth.

This must be a wind up. What kind of bloke shaves his legs?

a swimmer. or a drag queen.

but seriously, I wouldn't worry about it. have been to India 6 times and have always brushed my teeth with tap water in the hotel or guesthouse. I won't drink it, but I do swish it around my mouth and spit it out.

but do you really plan on going swimming in rivers? I wouldn't. that being said, I swam/waded in a river in the mountains near a so. indian city and I'm still alive with no nasties living in or on me. at least that I am aware of....

Fair point. I do lead a sheltered life,

What am I missing here? The OP, erodri1331, describes herself on her profile page as female.

Sama, do you reallyreally brush your teeth with tap water? Even if you are spitting it out, that freaks me out. Even when we shower, we are mindful to keep our mouths shut. Knowingly putting tap water in your mouth,

distaff

I've always used tap water to brush my teeth, in all sorts of places in India.

Don't often get sick- I don't let things like that bother me. Not to say, that maybe I've caught a bug or two that way over the years......

yes, I do. and I've done that from south to north and back again! Depending on where I am staying, I listen to my gut -- no pun intended -- but 9 times out of 10, I brush my teeth with tap water. if it's a $10 a night room in more rural Tamil Nadu, probably not, will use my own bottled water.

as for showering, I believe I asked this question when I first joined IM: who showers with their mouth open anyway?!? I sure don't! I take a shower, wash my hair, and dry off -- not concerned one iota about getting water in my mouth!

Sama -
I don't do it intentionally, but it happens.

btw -missed your birthday, so happy belated birthday!
(I just noticed your "new" profile picture - we're just back from India (again), is that you???)

distaff

PS from sperehealfe: I'd say I can't get her to shut her mouth under any circumstances, except she'd hit me with a frying pan.

Sama I thought you sing if you take a shower so you have open your mouth.


Regarding me:
1. I try to brush my teeth with a bottle water. No point to risk something.

2. Shaving legs with tap water. By the way, if I am in India I become a little Indian and Indian woman does not shave legs.

3. My mouth is closed if I take a shower, I do not sing even in a bathroom.

Bathroom singers and wannabes

hfot2 -- thanks!

Ivana, nope, don't sing in the shower! not even vedic chants!

apparently more people open their mouths while showering than I am aware of....

I shaved my legs all over North India and I don't think I have anything living inside of me.
Did use bottled water for brushing teeth though, just didn't feel like risking it.
Tried to keep my mouth shut while showering, but those Bollywood songs on TV are so catchy!

Unless the water is physically dirty, there is no way to reliably know if it is safe to drink.

There is always reason to be concerned. You may have chlorinated metro water (lucky you: I don't) but unless you are right next door to the plant, that's no guarantee, and I think you would get the same advice from Metro Water themselves: are they "well meaning but paranoid?"

Anyone serious about swimming, or riding a bike.