There used to be an old joke in America that people should take a bath once a week, whether they need one or not. In fact, though, Americans generally take a bath-or more commonly（通常地）, a shower-every day. But in contrast to some cultures, most Americans get their shower in the morning, so they can start the day fresh（精力充沛的）. And instead of going to a beauty parlor（美容院） for a shampoo（洗头）, many Americans prefer to wash and style their own hair. So if Americans have a “bad hair day”, they have no one to blame but themselves.
Americans are known for having very sensitive（灵敏的） noses. In America, “B.O.” (body odor) is socially unacceptable. For that reason, Americans consider the use of deodorant（防臭剂） or anti-perspirant（止汗露） a must. Ladies often add a touch of perfume（香水） for an extra fresh scent（气味）. Men may splash on（喷洒） after-shave lotion（化妆水） or manly-smelling cologne（古龙水）. Another cultural no-no in America is bad breath. Americans don't like to smell what other people ate for lunch-especially onions or garlic. Their solution? Mouthwash, breath mints and even brushing their teeth after meals.
Americans put great value on both grooming（打扮） and personal hygiene（个人卫生）. For some people, taking care of themselves has become almost a religion. As the old saying goes, “Cleanliness is next to godliness（神圣）”. Whether or not being clean and well-groomed brings one closer to God, it certainly brings one closer to others.
在美国有一个很老的笑话，说不管人们需不需要每周都要洗上两次澡。实际上，尽管美国人通常每周会洗更多的澡，甚至是一天一次。但是和文化相反的是大部分美国人会在每天早晨洗一次澡，这样他们可以在一天的开始保持精力充沛。而且美国人不去美容院洗头，他们宁可自己洗头和整理发型。所以，美国人如果有了“丑发型”的那天，除了怪自己之外就没有什么好抱怨的了。
美国人的嗅觉灵敏是总所周知的。在美国“B.O”（身体异味）在社交方面很受人反感。由于这个原因美国人认为防臭剂和止汗露是必须品。为了有一个新鲜的气味，女士们喜欢在身上喷一点香水。男士们会喷洒一些化妆水或者古龙香水。美国文化的另一种禁忌就是口臭。美国人不喜欢闻别人午餐后留在口中的味道，尤其是洋葱和大蒜。他们解决问题的办法就是漱口或者吃薄荷糖甚至是饭后刷牙。
美国人非常注重自己的打扮和个人卫生。一些人梳妆打扮甚至成为了一种信仰。就像一个古老的谚语“清洁仅次于圣洁”，不管整齐清洁是不是能使人更接近上帝，但他的确可以拉近与人的距离。