NonMusic: Anyone with me on this?

Subject: NonMusic: Anyone with me on this?
From: guinnesschik
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 09:31 AM

I really shouldn't post this here, as it's not political, musical, or very important, but this is the only forum I hit every day, several times, and I'd like to know if there's anyone who feels as strongly about this as I do.

The nineties created a new pet peeve for me, and I find it continues in the year 2000. It involves perfumes and colognes, and the excessive use thereof.

Have you ever been olfactorily assaulted as you try to eat a meal? A human (men and women are equally guilty) walks by, marinated in floral/herbal/fruit/wood stench, and your food just takes on that flavor. Maybe it's happened to you as you stand in line at the bank or supermarket, at the movies, at a concert or performance, or even at the bar, where your liquid libation and even your cigarette tastes like the stewed juices of a thousand artificial flowers/herbs/fruits/woods.

What do YOU do? How do you handle this? I usually begin making loud choking noises, and point to my throat and nose. "Allergies," I quietly explain, tears running down my cheeks.

Also makes it damn near impossible to perform. I'm going to start making "No Perfume Zone" signs to place around the stage area.

Thanks. I feel better now.

Subject: RE: NonMusic: Anyone with me on this?
From: catspaw49
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 09:39 AM

Personally I use "Possum Passion"...an interesting scent that Cleigh O'Possum gave me for Christmas. I hated not to use it since the little guy was so sweet and all in giving it to me. Its an interesting mixture of pine bark oil, asphalt, and ammonia.......Very refreshing and I get a lot of comments on it.

Spaw

Subject: RE: NonMusic: Anyone with me on this?
From: MMario
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 09:49 AM

If you DO have allergies, then I think you are justified, though overly theatrical. If it is just a matter of it being distasteful to you, then I feel you are wrong.

And 'spaw -Cleigh was right, that scent IS you!

Subject: RE: NonMusic: Anyone with me on this?
From: CamiSu
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 09:51 AM

Way back in '75 our architecture school was declared No Supplementary Odor Zone. There were 72 of us in one working space, and the assault would have been horrific if everyone wore perfume or aftershave. (Personally, except for pure rose, all perfumes smell like Eau de Old Lady to me) Almost every large group thing I've been involved with since has similarly been declared off-limits for various stink-ums, because lots of people can't handle it.

But last night, when I showed our AFS students how to use the washing machine, one asked if the soap was scented, and when he found it was not, gently complained. So I gave him a sample of some "Mountain Spring" fabric softener for the load. But I'm not buying a whole bottle. He can do that if he wants. If I want my laundry to smell extra good, there's always the clothesline.

Subject: RE: NonMusic: Anyone with me on this?
From: Raptor
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 09:52 AM

I agree with you Guinnesschik it seems that the most popular sent today is "Lily of the alley"

Subject: RE: NonMusic: Anyone with me on this?
From: Sorcha
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 09:55 AM

I'm with you here. I very seldom wear any scent at all and if so then very very little. Have you ever been in a crowded elevator with 30 different scents coming at you? Smells godawful!! Also, I can never even smell my own ( which is obviously MY favorite!) I leave the scents for small privated do's where the person intended to smell it can!

Subject: RE: NonMusic: Anyone with me on this?
From: Kim C
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 09:58 AM

Well, perfume has been around for thousands of years! I think some people are more sensitive to perfumes than others, AND that some people wear Way Too Much. I wear perfume but I can guarantee you can't smell me coming. I find excess tobacco smoke much more offensive than perfume. These things are just a fact of life and if they are that offensive to you, then my advice is to just stay away from them, or go see your doctor for assistance.

Subject: RE: NonMusic: Anyone with me on this?
From: SINSULL
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 10:03 AM

guinnesschik,
There was a Song Challenge a little while back about a town that banned ALL fragrances and actually arrested a teenager for assault when his hair gel caused his teacher to sneeze. Take a look. You'll feel even better. I have a horrible allergy to Kent cigarettes - coughing, choking, tears,etc. And certain perfumes have the same effect. I am fascinated by people who need to marinate in their favorite fragrance -everything from deodorant, dusting powder, cologne, body lotion,etc. all at once.

Subject: RE: NonMusic: Anyone with me on this?
From: dwditty
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 10:09 AM

This thread stinks!*G*

dw

Subject: RE: NonMusic: Anyone with me on this?
From: paddymac
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 10:12 AM

Like many other nuisances in life, it's the excesses that are problematic. My most "unfavorite" who buy it by the gallon, than walk around smelling like a can of Raid bug spray. Yuuuuuuuchhhhh!

An interesting side bar - the process of distillation was apparently first observed, discovered, captured, domesticated or utilized by Arab peoples for the manufacture of perfume. During one of the early crusades (yechhh again), Irish monks "liberated" the apparatus and technology and took it back home, where it was eventually put to a higher and better use making the true nectar of the gods - whiskey (or whisky for our highland kin).

Subject: RE: NonMusic: Anyone with me on this?
From: Mbo
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 10:13 AM

From the wisdom of Willard W. Willard (the W stands for Willard):

"I had an ex-wife who wore so much perfume, if she stood in one place too long, she left a puddle."

Ba-dum-dum!

Subject: RE: NonMusic: Anyone with me on this?
From: GUEST,Cynical Prick
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 10:14 AM

I agree guinesschick, but it's not limited to olfactory taste. That is only one symptom of a general bad taste/no taste disease that now permeates modern society. It seems that the popluace today was never taught (or never learned) about proportion or moderation. Things must be mixed in certain amounts in order to blend well. However, today's motto seems to be "If a little is good, a lot must be great." Do they even teach how to apply cologne, other than "a little dab'll do ya"?

Other symptoms of this disease include sloppiness of apparel - not just kids with their underpants showing, but adults wearing worn, holey, ugly, mismatched casual attire to evening events, blandness and tastelessness of food at restaurants "voted #1 in the area," the visual assault of colors and scene flicker of the commercials on television, and inconsideration of smokers - if they are in a No Smoking building, where do they go? Right outside the front door, so you have to walk through their cloud of stench to get in the building. Then you reek of their offal the remainder of the day.

Is there anywhere that they still teach what makes a tasteful object, or is it that general population had taken a large step toward slobiness and just don't care any more?

Subject: RE: NonMusic: Anyone with me on this?
From: Midchuck
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 10:35 AM

I think the noise pollution - incredibly loud stereos in kid's cars; jet skis; cars and motorcycles with the exhausts messed with to make them louder; excessive sound levels in concerts (not just rock, but folk and bluegrass too - seems like every sound tech learned his trade working rock venues); big trucks using "Jake brakes" in residential areas; screaming children in music concerts or nice residence whose parents won't be bothered to do anything about them, et cetera ad infinitum - is vastly more irritating than scent pollution. Not that scent pollution isn't irritating.

But then, I have no allergies to speak of, but fairly sensitive hearing for an old f**t.

Peter.

Subject: RE: NonMusic: Anyone with me on this?
From: guinnesschik
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 10:43 AM

I'm so glad to know that this doesn't seem like a "Southern" problem. I thought it just might be a Texas thang. In response to MMario, it's not a matter of it being "distasteful" to me, it's a matter of it actually interfering with my meal, my performance, and yes, my breathing, although I do tend to overexaggerate.

Cynical Prick makes a very good point about the slovenliness of modern humans. However, I think it goes even further than slovenliness to downright self-centeredness. Just drive down the street. People on cell-phones almost running you over, folks in cars with their winows UP playing music so loud you can't talk to the person next to you, and generally feeling that the rules of the road don't apply to them. I have kiddoes in school, and I just want to shoot people who refuse to go 20 mph in the school zones! (Digressing a bit here, but...)

What a shame that we have so many intellegent, worthwile people on our planet, who seem to be missing the finer points of humanity.

Subject: RE: NonMusic: Anyone with me on this?
From: MMario
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 11:01 AM

okay - interfering with your breathing is a valid reason to complain, likewise performance. However, interfering with your meal (at least in my opinion) is NOT.

Likewise, "taste" or lack thereof is a subjective issue. What is tasteful to me may not be to you. It is also highly cultural, split not only by nationality, but also by age, to some extent by gender, sometimes even along occupational lines!

And face it, there is not much a person can do in a restauraunt or theatre if they are wearing too much scent, except leave. And seeing someone theatrically "suffering" in an attempt to leave would proably make me decide to stay. A polite request would be more likely to cause me to move as far as possible from the sufferer.

I have several friends who suffer from severe asthma. One chokes, gags, and bitches theatrically at the slightest hint of anything that can agravate her condition. The other tolerates as much as possible, will quietly and privately explain things when necessary, etc. Guess which one people go out WAY out of their way to NOT aggravate her condition? (And it isn't the theatrical one)

And BTW, I agree many people wear far too much scent, and there are too many scented products on the market. some public restrooms have so much scented chemicals used that I almost prefer hot porta-potties to the gag reaction I get in the "clean" restroom

Subject: RE: NonMusic: Anyone with me on this?
From: GUEST,Irish Sergeant
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 11:03 AM

HalleluiaH! I've had the same pet peeves myself! Though I find excessive amounts more (barely) tolerable than people not bathing, It is most distressing to try and eat while you have to smell the person a hundred yards away and their Eau de Cheap Bordello. Since I've quit using tobacco I find cigarette smoke offensive but as was pointed out, a bit of tact and discretion goes along way. For the ijits with the 1000 decibles blaring so loud I can't hear my stereo and the inconsiderate boobs on the cell phone while they're driving, they are proof that stupid people shouldn't breed. Kindest and ranting reguards, Neil

Subject: RE: NonMusic: Anyone with me on this?
From: Mbo
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 11:15 AM

Once you come and smell ECU steam chimneys, you'll never complain about perfume again!

Subject: RE: NonMusic: Anyone with me on this?
From: Ebbie
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 11:26 AM

I once read a hint that works: If you want to wear scent, put a dab under your nose. Only you will smelll it.

About the worst assault on my nose occurred on a crowded plane. The couple next to me were honeymooners- and she was drenched in the stuff. If the plane hadn't been full I would've requested to be moved. As it was, eventually my nose became desensitized. Besides, the circumstances kind of made me smile.

Sinsull, your comment on Kent cigarettes is interesting. Years ago my roommate started smoking that brand. Invariably, at a certain point I would start smelling burning cloth and we'd jump up checking chair and sofa cushions. The Kents didn't last long.

Nowadays, I'm mortified to remember how cavalier we smokers used to be. Somehow we took it for granted that non-smokers had to put up with our smoking or move away. Wherever did we get that notion?!

As a non-smoker for the past 25 years, I still feel for the 'leper colony' congregated at the office doors. If I still smoked, I'm sure I'd be furious at the loss of my "rights".

Ebbie

Subject: RE: NonMusic: Anyone with me on this?
From: GUEST,Les B
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 11:30 AM

My pet peeve in the scent department are magazines and monthly bills that come with heavily scented sheets in them. They make my nose wrinkle and my eyes water. I cancelled a credit card from a local department store because of their perfidious perfumery !

Subject: RE: NonMusic: Anyone with me on this?
From: Peg
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 11:33 AM

I am an amateur aromatherapist, and being around cheap or synthetic colognes or perfumes gives me a headache; but I love scents made with all-natural oils like vetiver, sandalwood, patchouli, etc...most so-called "designer" fragarnces these days are loaded with synthetic ingredients; not only do these scents smell the same on everyone (hence we can all recognize Tommy Girl and Obsession and Opium and Paco Rabanne, etc.) but they irritate the nasal mucosa and often make the wearer unable to smell the perfume; thus they wear way too much of it, not realizing...essential oils, on the other hand, not only impart various physiological and psychological benefits to the wearer and others, but smell unique on each individual...

as for performing, this past summer I was singing with a band at a pagan gathering. Some well-meaning soul decided to smudge the space with white sage. I noticed the smoke was heavy, but since I am used to it I did not think of it. My pal who has asthma later told me he had to leave the stage area because he could not breathe...we were outside, mind you!!! When it came time for my ONE solo of the evening (Sanctuary Stone, the third song in the set) I choked in the middle of the second verse. A fellow band member had to jump in because I could not stop coughing. I thought it was dust but I now realize it was that sage smoke.

I learned my lesson: next time someone attempts to "purify" the space with it during a performance, I will ask them to stop and tell them why...

Subject: RE: NonMusic: Anyone with me on this?
From: Auxiris
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 11:34 AM

Looks like less is more and common courtesy is anything but common. . .

cheers,

Aux

Subject: RE: NonMusic: Anyone with me on this?
From: Wesley S
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 11:35 AM

Hey there Guinneschik - It's good to see you posting here more often. I know that my wife wants me to wear more colone than I used to be comfortable with so I'm aware of the problem. As a kid growing up in Florida I used to dread going to church where you could get stuck downwind of little blue haired ladies wearing jungle gardenia or orange blossom scents.

What's a far bigger problem for me is cigarette smoke. After a typical session at the Bull and Bush I have to leave all of my clothes in another room and shower before my wife will have anything to do with me { no jokes please }. Something else that sets me off is that even tho we have extremly dry weather here in Texas and everything is a fire hazard I still see inconsiderate smokers tossing their lit butts out of car windows. Don't they watch the news?? Or don't they care ? It seems to me that cigerette smokers think the entire world is their ashtray. { you don't smoke do you?? }

Subject: RE: NonMusic: Anyone with me on this?
From: Mbo
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 11:36 AM

I always smell like sawdust in the morning. Achoo!

Subject: RE: NonMusic: Anyone with me on this?
From: Whistle Stop
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 11:37 AM

We all have different sensitivities to these things, and different preferences. I think the biggest problem is that we're constantly surrounded by other people, so we're constantly being annoyed when their preferences differ from our own. For me, sound is a worse culprit than scent. I get very aggravated by the constant bombardment of noise in our society, which causes me a great deal of stress. It's not the accidental noise (truck brakes, etc.) that gets me most; it's the intentional noise (people who play the radio constantly, or leave the TV on at all times).

I agree with MMario that the dramatics wouldn't make me particularly sympathetic to your plight. I would suggest that the best thing you can do is recognize that the "assault" usually isn't intentional, and be humble enough to acknowledge that your own preferences may offend others as well. A little patience, understanding, and politeness can help you get past a lot of these things, whether you're the offender or the offendee.

Subject: RE: NonMusic: Anyone with me on this?
From: guinnesschik
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 11:45 AM

Peg: Thanks. You are so right about natural fragrances. It is nearly impossible to apply too much of these, as the skin tends to absorb the oils. A hint of natural fragrance (very light, of course) as one passes usually makes me smile.

MMario, you are correct, of course, however, I HAVE tried the polite approach, and usually get gawked at or told that I can just move. It's a sad thing (and I'm guilty, too)that so many people lack manners.

Actually, Neil, for some reason, I find the unwashed more tolerable than the overscented.

As a "social smoker" I have a great deal of respect for both groups, and can behave appropriately for either bunch. However, I will draw the line at standing around the entrance of a non-smoking facility to smoke a butt. It kinda defeats the purpose.

Subject: RE: NonMusic: Anyone with me on this?
From: guinnesschik
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 11:48 AM

Hey, Wes....See above. I usually need to air my fiddle case, too, and Himself usually has a few comments to make, as well.

Subject: RE: NonMusic: Anyone with me on this?
From: Jed at Work
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 12:00 PM

hmmmm, well I know I never smell of perfume or cologne, but I often smell of sweat ('specially livin' in Texas heat). I don't use deodorant (I hate the stuff), so I smell natural. Is that offensive too?

Subject: RE: NonMusic: Anyone with me on this?
From: guinnesschik
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 12:03 PM

Jed does not stink!

Subject: RE: NonMusic: Anyone with me on this?
From: guinnesschik
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 02:51 PM

It was a really hot day at the office due to a malfunction with the air conditioning system. There were about twenty people in close quarters and everyone was sweating, even with a fan on.

All of a sudden, people started to wrinkle their noses at an odor passing through the air. It was the most hideous smell anyone had ever smelled.

One man, popping his head out of his cubicle said, "Oh, man! Someone's deodorant isn't working."

An overweight man in the corner replied, "It can't be me. I'm not wearing any."

Subject: RE: NonMusic: Anyone with me on this?
From: hesperis
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 02:52 PM

Allergies can make you more sensitive to the things you're allergic to. I have often completely choked up from the REEK of someone's perfume, only to find out that not only does the person not smell it, but that non allergy-sufferers don't smell it at all!

As for the smokers clustering outside the doors - you're lucky. Smokers in Orillia seem to smoke outside the door of a non-smoking building with the door open letting all that wonderful stuff into the building anyway. Before all the anti-smoking laws, all the smokers were inside, and all you had to do to stay away from them was not go inside. Now they're stinking up the streets and you can't go anywhere without choking.

I stopped singing in church choir because of the Easter lilies, I can smell it from the moment they're placed in the building to 2 months afterwards. I can't sing. Not much point going to church...

Synthetics are much worse than natural oils, but that depends on a person's allergies.
Considering that allergies were originally caused by industrial pollution, I would not want to wear synthetic perfumes, even if I didn't have allergies.

Lawn spray is really awful too.

Subject: RE: NonMusic: Anyone with me on this?
From: guinnesschik
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 03:05 PM

Easter lillies smell like dish soap to me. Yuk!

Subject: RE: NonMusic: Anyone with me on this?
From: catspaw49
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 03:08 PM

Personally, I can't smell gladiolas without looking for a casket.

Spaw

Subject: RE: NonMusic: Anyone with me on this?
From: okthen
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 03:17 PM

has anyone read "perfume" by patrick suskind(2 dots over the u) if you can get through the first few pages, you might make it to the end.he must have done some amazing research to write an account of 18th century industry.

cheers

bill

Subject: RE: NonMusic: Anyone with me on this?
From: Peg
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 03:25 PM

I do not use anti-perspirant. Aluminum does not occur naturally in the human body, so I am not about to block my pores with it to prevent sweating. I have also read theories about aluminum deposits found in the brains of Alzheimer's patients, thought to contribute to this horrible disease...I don't wanna increase my chances. I also don't use toothpaste containing saccharin, preferring non-sweetened products like Tom's of Maine.

I do use deodorant, though, and all natural ones with tea tree seem quite effective...I tried using straight essential oils of lavender and tea tree but it caused irritation after a while...then again, so does shaving under my arms, which I also don't do anymore...I had enough shaving my superfluous body hair as an exotic dancer that I never want to again...though I do still shave my legs (heck, I am half-Sicilian)...

Staying clean is key to eliminating odor, I guess; hair traps more bacteria. I am big on those French-style sponge baths (my mom was, too, especially in summer)...

one great deodorant which was an accident of home-made cosmetics: I added bergamot essential oil to a powder made of pure talcum and cornstarch. The bottle spilled and I ended up with a lot of bergamot powder. I later read bergamot is a natural deodorant and thought, what the heck? I will dust some under my arms. It works really well and has a light citrusy scent.

Subject: RE: NonMusic: Anyone with me on this?
From: Bert
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 03:49 PM

Tree is allergic to perfume and she can't go anywhere near the soap aisle in a supermarket, and stores like Hallmark are completely off limits. I'm think we should get together and market a fart smelling spray to use near those who bathe in perfume.

Bert.

Subject: RE: NonMusic: Anyone with me on this?
From: Peg
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 04:00 PM

okthen;

"Perfume" is one of my favorite novels of all time!

In fact, I had loaned my copy out and was wanting to read it again and could not find it in any of my usual used bookstore haunts. I did stumble across two other novels by Suskind and put them on the hold shelf at a used bookstore in Boston; when I went to buy them a couple days later an employee, who I had mentioned wanting a copy of "Perfume" to, had snagged one that came in. I devoured it immediately as soon as I got it home. Even better the second time around...

"Jitterbug Perfume" by Tom Robbins is also fantastic, and contains many perfumery-related descriptions like Suskind's novel...though it is comical where Suskind's is more of an erudite thriller...

Subject: RE: NonMusic: Anyone with me on this?
From: catspaw49
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 04:16 PM

Well Bert, Paw and Cletus are always available and after the Ass-paragus farm and the "Crapper-R-Us" fiascos, not to mention the "Fartistic Falwell" episode, they are pretty well ready to take on something like you suggest.

Spaw

Subject: RE: NonMusic: Anyone with me on this?
From: sophocleese
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 06:03 PM

Well guinesschik it would appear that you are not alone. In the last two choirs I sang in it was common practice for the choristers to not wear any kind of fragrance for a performance or a rehearsal, it interferes too much with the singing. The only time I use scent is when I'm in a bath.

What I find bizarre is the Orwellian language that now advertises laundry detergent as having Fresh Scent. Apparently you can use your towel all week and it will still smell 'fresh'. What? You mean that the 'fresh' fragrance in the detergent is strong enough to cover the moldy damp towell smell. I worked in a place where I was to do light housework for a while. No matter what I did people didn't think I had cleaned. One day one of the women came in to do some cleaning and used some floral-scented window cleaner that had me gagging, that's when I realized that my use of unscented cleaners meant that people used to fragranced stuff thought I hadn't done my work. People are equating cleanliness with smelliness.

Subject: RE: NonMusic: Anyone with me on this?
From: Amergin
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 06:05 PM

I use ewwww de toilet myself.....

Subject: RE: NonMusic: Anyone with me on this?
From: Lepus Rex
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 06:26 PM

I hate perfume. Any sort of strong, 'pretty' scent, natural or unnatural, gives me a headache. Can't stand tobacco smoke, either.

I remember this girl who had the most repulsive smelling perfume I've ever encountered. Smelled like rotting cabbage. Most other people around her didn't seem to find it offensive. Anyone else ever smeeled this vile stuff? Dunno it's name.

Also, be careful with perfume if you have birds. About 7 years ago, a friend put on a little perfume (Shalimar) in our house. An hour later, all but one of my birds was dead. I then read warnings about perfume and pets, but too late for most of my birds.

---Lepus Rex

Subject: RE: NonMusic: Anyone with me on this?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 06:34 PM

I have a terrible time going into big department stores, the perfume counter is always at the front, so you HAVE to go through it to get to the rest of the shop. I'm asthmatic, so all those lovely perfume droplets to me are a slow and agonising death by choking.... I have to run through one particular shop (mentioning no names, but Al Fayed owns it.....) and collapse into the umbrellas.

And talking of deodorants.... there is a link with the increasing rate of breast cancer - those who defoliate their armpits, then apply deodorant AND anti persperant block the pores and the natural toxins cannot get out in sweat as they usually do.... This leads to a build up in the glands just to the front of the armpit, and this leads to cancerous cells forming.

The suggestion is that you shave rather than exfoliate, leave some of the folicle in, and use a deodorant rather than an antipersperant.

And perfume was invented to cover the fact that people couldn't be bothered to wash!

LTS

Subject: RE: NonMusic: Anyone with me on this?
From: hesperis
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 06:37 PM

I just remembered, anise (seed) tea seems to reduce the smell of underarm bacteria, it's also good for your hair if you rinse it off really well.

The bergamot Peg is referring to is a relative of citrus, not a relative of monarda. Just so you know. (Cause I didn't know it once.)

Subject: RE: NonMusic: Anyone with me on this?
From: Lepus Rex
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 06:39 PM

But how do you apply the tea without severe burns, hesperis?

---Lepus Rex

Subject: RE: NonMusic: Anyone with me on this?
From: Mbo
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 07:22 PM

I hear dogs really like anise, especially if you garnish it on your pants! (Abstruse P.G.Wodehouse reference)

--Matt

Subject: RE: NonMusic: Anyone with me on this?
From: hesperis
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 07:54 PM

You guys! *g*

Subject: RE: NonMusic: Anyone with me on this?
From: catspaw49
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 07:58 PM

Its not anise Meebo....its ANUS, and yes they do love it! Other dogs, their own, yours (even through your pants).......Nothing like waiting for the shower to warm up and your hound arrives behind you........

Spaw

Subject: RE: NonMusic: Anyone with me on this?
From: Áine
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 08:07 PM

All of this brouhaha over 'olfactory offensiveness' reminds me of some sage advice that my grandmother once gave me:

"Honey, don't be picayune. 'Cuz if you make a habit of it, you'll just pick friends that are picayune too, and you'll all end up picking each other to pieces."

-- Aine

Subject: RE: NonMusic: Anyone with me on this?
From: guinnesschik
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 08:12 PM

Seems I've raised quite a stink, here! Thanks for the bergamont powder idea, Peg. I do a lot of house cleaning with white vinegar and bleach (seperate, of course). When I did custodial work for a school system several years ago, they'd give us really heavily fragranced stuff to clean the restrooms. The ones I cleaned never had an odor after the fact, because I would go in and flood the place with water, first. Just goes to show that cleanliness can be acheived without a lot of chemicals.

Subject: RE: NonMusic: Anyone with me on this?
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 08:36 PM

I have worn perfume all my adult life and have never had a complaint. It is absolutely essential to choose a perfume that reacts "as one" with your particular body chemistry. People who wear whatever's "hot," in the media are the ones who smell "off." When Halston was vogue, I tried it once and realized it smelled like urine and if it was offensive to me it had to be offensive to others.

And the other "essential" of wearing perfume is to remember that "less is more."

I tend to not like perfumey men. A man's natural body scent is very sensual, unlike a woman's, which can smell nasty.

Just my opinion ...

Subject: RE: NonMusic: Anyone with me on this?
From: katlaughing
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 08:38 PM

Like Peg, I prefer to use essential oils and it only takes a teeny-tiny drop. I hardly ever use it, unless I am doing something special.

I have studied aromatherapy and use essential oils or incense in my home, always in moderation, when I am doing a healing/counseling session. I combine that with music to create the type of atmosphere I know that particular person may need at the time.

I have a terrrible reaction to almost all perfume, except for some of the really expensive ones and even them, if they are not used in moderation.

My nose closes up, literally. It dries up, starts to clog and pretty soon I cannot breath through it at all. I usually get up and move if it is somewhere like the theatre. I've heard that some theatres now have no perfume sections, which I applaud, no pun intended.

Can't stand noise pollution nor smoke which I am allergic to, also. I had to go to the office of my oxygen provider one time, and don't you know, right outside the doors to the building were about 8-9 smokers, looked like a chimney convention and not one of them moved away or tried to blow their smoke away from me, even though I had my O2 bottle with me! I always secretly think to myself, "take a long look, this could be you, if you don't stop smoking!" And, NO, I never smoked and that is NOT why I have to use O2, but I did have a brother-in-law died from smoking and it was not a pretty sight!

Guinesschik, I think you have every right to be as vocal as you are comfortable with to have a scent-free venue in which to perform. It may lose you some audience, but others will thank you for it.

kat