Andersen's Odd Request at Dickens' Home

In 1857, Danish author Hans Christian Andersen, famous for fairy tales like The Little Mermaid and The Ugly Duckling, stayed as a guest at Charles Dickens' home in England. During his visit, Andersen asked that one of Dickens' sons shave him daily, explaining that this was a Danish custom when hosting male guests. Dickens, unsettled by the request, instead arranged for Andersen to have a standing appointment at a nearby barbershop.

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