Posted on: Sunday, October 31, 2004

Wet-towel culprits are constantly testing patience

By Ka'ohua Lucas

I've decided that the absolute worst is getting out of the shower to discover that my towel is wet.

It's not as if someone used a corner of it to wipe their hands dry, or used it to swab chocolate smudges from their mouth. The whole towel is sopping wet!

If I were to try and wring it out, I could easily collect enough water to brew a cup of coffee. What really frosts me is that I know I didn't use my towel last.

Its askew position tells all. I can't imagine what it was used for. Perhaps a bath mat to wipe up shower spills? Or did someone in my family decide to towel themselves dry? Did one of my little darlings choose to swap towels with me? I just don't know.

I'm not the only one with this problem. My 13-year-old nephew has the same challenge as I do. His younger brother is always stealing the older brother's towel.

My nephew is so exasperated that he is resigned to scribbling threatening notes and posting them next to his towel rack: "If you keep using my towel, I'm going to (fill in the blank) you!"

Sometimes intimidating measures are required to have a real impact. Perhaps, I should consider this technique.

I've tried different approaches. None seems to work.

I've tried direct questioning.

"Did you use my towel, (fill in the blank with a family member's name)?" I ask.

They deny it.

I've also tried making them feel guilty.

"How would you like it if I were to use your towel, huh?" I'll say.

They shrug in unison.

I've tried pleading.

"Please, I beg of you, do not use my towel!"

"Gosh, Mom, you're such a drama queen," my 14-year-old responds.

After careful examination, I usually can identify the culprit. It will be my younger son who usually discards his towel on the pune'e (day bed) in the living room to change into fresh clothes.

Or my eldest, whose towel I often find in a mound on his bedroom floor.

Or my husband's plethora of towels, which hang from our bedroom doorknob, the window lever or are left in a heap on the floor.

I'm resigned to thinking that he does this to test my patience.

"Why on earth would you need so many towels?" I ask.

"It's like this, my dear," he responds. "My hygienic program includes proper towel placement and drying. Our bedroom just happens to be the ultimate environment for such a process."

I guess I shouldn't grumble too loudly.

At least my towel doesn't smell like our dog, 'Eleu.

Reach Ka'ohua Lucas at Family Matters, 'Ohana section, The Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802; fax 525-8055; or at ohana@honoluluadvertiser.com.