"I... I blow my nose in the shower," she said. "That's the worst, most personal, most private thing you have to tell me?" he said.

"You don't understand," she said, "I blow my nose onto my... my hand. And then I wash it," she hurried to add.

"Yeah, I just don't see how that's a problem," he said. "I mean, I don't know how that's even a little bit embarrassing."

"It's embarrassing!" she said.

"No, not really," he said. "I mean, you can be embarrassed if you want, but lots of people do it. I do it."

"What?" She sounded shocked.

"It's no big... wait. Don't you pick your nose?"

"What? God, no, that's disgus—"

"—gusting, yeah. Well, yeah, it's kind of gross. That's why you do it when no one else is around."

"I don't," she said. She looked at him. "And then you wash your hands. Right?" She looked at him over her glasses.

"Well, yeah. When you get a chance? So you can relax. Blowing your nose in the shower is no big deal." He put his hand on her shoulder, but she leaned back until she was out of reach.

"Not until you wash your hands."