On Sweat

I have become accustomed to my sweatiness after 29 years. I know that I sweat more than the average Joe-Workout. In fact, more often than not, I am in some state of dealing with sweat--either I am picking out an outfit based on the sweat factor of its sleeves, or trying to fan myself in the elevator on the way to work--after walking in the cold for 10 mintues. (Yes, I even sweat during the worst Chicago winters.)

Going to any outdoor summer activity requires careful tank top planning so as to minimize my sweat stains. Having a cloth to dab my sweaty forehead is a necessity. Carefully avoiding hugs and affection that will draw attention to my pooling sweat in between the shoulder blades is also a priority. Riding my bike everywhere makes it worse but I do it anyway because I love it.

So I have finally come to terms with my sweatiness and though I do still plan around it to a point, I am trying to embrace it. It is a part of me, my unique self. That sweats a lot. Ew.

Ok so I am still struggling with that.

Anyway, so I AM getting comfortable enough with it to be annoyed when other people are really grossed out by it. I mean, what am I supposed to do? People sweat. Everyone does. Some more than others. Anyone I love is allowed to be wet and still get a hug. Or a nice shoulder squeeze. Or a pat on the back. Whatever. My love for them supercedes any gross-out factor I might have if it was a stranger I was touching.

Apparently this is not the case with most people.

I know this because I have loved ones who, even after years of knowing me and my sweat issues, stilll gross out at me when they are caught accidently getting a little feel of my moisture when giving me a hug. It baffles me that it still matters. Shouldn't we have moved on from that at some point in our relationship?

Today I had a friend tell me "Oh, you are so kind, you just touched my sweat," when I noticed an eyelash on her glistening nose and tried to get it off. This made me realize that perhaps I really am an oddball, the only person on the planet who is okay with a little sweat on someone I love (besides during sex, everyone). I am concerned that I am the only person who understands that sweating sucks and is embarassing that no one wants to be alienated from loved ones because of it.

I hope my tolerance of sweat will rub off on those around me and we can all feel comfortable with beads of water dripping from our noses as we bob our heads to an outdoor show on a sunny summer day in Chicago.

And not have the immediate thought of "damn, if only I had a fan. Then maybe someone would hug me."