How to Persuade Others to
Communal Shower

Communal showers have hygienic, efficiency, and practical reasons that make them an excellent showering option. However, the most rewarding aspect of communal showers is the social bonding and camaraderie you can develop in the communal shower setting. The trouble is that, for the most part, people who have never experienced this bonding are not aware of its existence. They avoid the communal showers and thus miss out on a chance to connect, bond, and socialize in this healthy, platonic way. Indeed, although communal showers are still common, many people manage to reach adulthood never having used them and often make it a point to avoid them. This can often make persuading them to try communal showers challenging; however, since most of these people will end up enjoying the experience and have nothing to lose, it is often worth the effort to convince a new person to give the communal shower experience a try.

1. Know your audience. Every person is different, and there is no magical argument that will work on everyone. There are people you know well enough who it would be fine to just have an open and frank discussion about the merits of communal showers. Some people will just be open to this and will listen (especially if you have good rapport). List the reasons you enjoy it and invite them to join.
   

2. Lead by example. Sometimes, unspoken cues are even more persuasive than words. Be casual and confident in your use of communal showers. If you are relaxed and open, others around you will pick up on this. If you are engaged in a conversation while you disrobe and prepare to shower, some people will follow along into the showers.
   

3. Peer Influence. Doing things as a group will usually often motivate other individuals to join in. If you have one or two friends regularly joining you, it will be easier for other friends to pick up the practice. People tend to model their behavior off of the social cues from others. Even if you are the only person communal showering, this leading by example can be effective; however, the effect is multiplied when more people participate.
   

4. Know yourself. Understanding why you enjoy communal showers is the first step in being able to convey that appreciation to others. If you can't articulate why it is that you enjoy them, then explaining the benefits from others will be difficult. Think about what drew you to them in the first place and what you enjoy about them. Then you’ll have a good basis for conveying those merits to others.
   

5. Appreciate and understand the objections people have. This can be tricky because most people have vague and poorly defined reasons for wanting to avoid communal showers. They just don’t like the idea of being seen naked by anyone (strangers or peers alike). On the one hand, this can make a purely logical discussion difficult because they are rarely putting forward much of an argument beyond “I just don’t like the idea”, but this also means that some well-placed points will make for a stronger case. Consider the following points:

• It's more hygienic.

• It feels good and liberating.

• You’ll gain confidence in your body and body image.

• You’ll gain a level of trust and bonding with your friends you otherwise would not.

• It’ll build your confidence.

• It’ll give you a better more grounded perspective on the human form (as opposed to the a totally unrealistic portrayals of the human body that dominate social media).

While it is certainly possible to benefit from and enjoy communal showers alone or among strangers, sharing it with your peers is a substantial social enhancement. Many people who experienced this bonding while playing team sports and showering after reflect very fondly on the experience and seek to duplicate it as a social highlight of unique importance. Even if you never had the chance to play a sport and shower with your teammates, you can create the same experience with your peers, co-workers, gym buddies, or anyone else with whom you engage with in a collective communal activity. The benefits mean it's usually worth the effort!