Most people hold the president of the United States to a higher standard than others. After all, the president sets the tone for not only the United States but also the rest of the world. The media will often uncover various scandals within each presidential administration, from the Watergate break-in during the Nixon administration to the Signal blunder with the second Trump administration.
As the media follow the president through the White House, around the country, and across the globe, they may notice some peculiar habits of the president. This may include Donald Trump’s daily diet or his choice to abstain from alcohol. Yet, as you walk back through time, some of the personal hygiene habits of former presidents may not have received as much press as you may see now. You may be surprised at what habits presidents Lyndon B. Johnson and Calvin Coolidge maintained during their presidencies. While these personal hygiene habits may not warrant impeachment, they reveal that presidents, too, have their quirks just like the rest of their constituents.
Lyndon B. Johnson’s bathroom meetings
Admit it — you’ve done it before. You’ve continued a phone conversation as you head to the bathroom. You may try to mute your phone so those on the opposite end don’t hear, but former president Lyndon B. Johnson wasn’t so shy about it. If LBJ were in the middle of a conversation and needed to visit the WC, he’d have the people follow him. Even if they wanted to give Johnson a little bit of privacy, he’d urge them to come inside the bathroom so he wouldn’t miss anything. According to HistoryFacts, National Security Advisor McGeorge Bundy had almost fallen into LBJ’s lap as the president was seated on the throne.
Needless to say, President Johnson wasn’t shy about his exposed body parts, but those around him seemed to be uncomfortable. “You’d think he had never seen those parts of the body before,” he said to a former aide (via Check Your Facts). “For there he was, standing as far away from me as he possibly could, keeping his back toward me the whole time, trying to carry on a conversation.” LBJ would also bring aides into the bathroom as he showered, and he would shave, brush his teeth, and comb his hair without wearing clothes. He was also known to swim naked in the swimming pool of the White House.
Calvin Coolidge’s Vaseline scalp massages
When life brings about extraordinary stressors, a good scalp massage can ease some of the tension. Professional scalp massages can improve circulation from your brain to your spinal cord to aid in your body’s natural healing process. Some people enjoy a head massage at home using essential oils to enhance relaxation.
How about a scalp massage with Vaseline? Sounds rather sticky, but Calvin Coolidge reportedly had White House aides rub petroleum jelly on his head as he enjoyed his breakfast. Coolidge believed petroleum jelly had some health benefits (via ABC News). You may turn to Vaseline to soothe dry skin, but this brand of petroleum jelly was considered the “handiest thing in the house” during Coolidge’s presidency for first aid and cosmetic purposes (per Vaseline).
Among the more than 100 uses for Vaseline, you can use it for a full-body massage or to relieve post-shave itchiness. A small drop of Vaseline may also be used to soothe a dry, itchy scalp before you wash your hair to prevent dandruff. Just be sure not to use too much because it can make your hair greasy and sticky. If you’re hoping to use Vaseline to prevent male pattern baldness or to grow new hair, you may be disappointed. According to Hims, Vaseline does not promote new hair growth.
