Shampoo Chivalry

I watched Out of Africa last night, probably for the first time since I saw it in the theatre when it was released. I had completely forgotten about the hair washing scene! How much more erotic and sensual can camping get! This is going on my list of things a man ought to do for a woman if he truly loves her. It's right up there with killing spiders, unclogging the toilet and rubbing her feet. Denys Finch-Hatton (Robert Redford) may not have been able to commit to a conventional relationship with Karen Blixen (Meryl Streep), but by golly he washed her hair and danced with her. Another cinematic hair washing scene worthy of mention is in The English Patient. When Kip (Naveen Andrews) washes Hana's (Juliette Binoche) hair in the yard of the dilapidated Italian villa, it is with such tenderness and care every woman in the audience melts into a puddle of shampoo suds. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that he's shirtless. Okay, maybe for me it has something to do with the fact that he's shirtless. As a devoted fan of Thirtysomething, I must also mention the hairwashing scene from Season 2, Episode 3, About Last Night. Gary (Peter Horton) is the guy Susannah (Patricia Kalember) really doesn't want to love. She protesteth too much early on when she assures him that there are probably lots of women who are attracted to his peculiar combination of hair and whimsy, but she's not one of them. Famous last words since she does go on to have his baby and marry him. I'm certain he clinched her affection in this episode with not only a neck massage but washing her hair. I'm pretty sure pretty hot sex ensued in the wake of all of these tress-maintenance sessions. To my knowledge it's not a standard form of foreplay, but this girl would place her hearty stamp of approval on it.