I don't think that wearing perfume should be banned or anything like that, but I do think the o.p.'s question is a good one: don't people realize they're wearing something that stinks?

I guess they don't notice people around them gagging, covering their nose, shaking their head, and getting up to leave the room.

One time, a long time ago, I went to work with a new perfume on. A co-worker said in the break room, "I have to leave. It smells like bug spray in here. I don't know what it is but I can't take it." I figured she was talking about my perfume and so I went home and threw it out. I didn't want to smell offensive. It wasn't a difficult change for me to make.

Exactly. Done right it should be a non issue.

For pleasure because good perfume is a delight

I think the problem is that we have become a nation of "ME"s with no consideration of others. Who says smelly perfumed people are in the majority?

:BigApplause:

The power of scent
 

I'm on the scent side.... Scent to me is like songs to some people. I smell a scent and I remember a person, place or time. I as a young girl would put my favorite men's cologne on a scarf and smell it during the day. Then... It was Jade East or English Leather. Oh.... How I loved those smells.

I've heard of women who when their husband died would keep their clothes and fragrances so they wouldn't forget them.

I have a scent I have worn for years. My husband loves it and I get many compliments on it. My husband says when he smells it.... he thinks of me. You know what....It's the reason I don't switch around. And.... I love to snuggle up to my husbands neck and smell the scent he wears.

There has only been one person in my life that had a strong scent. Her fragrance was very strong. But I never told her and still wouldn't. She was a lovely lady and maybe her husband loved her fragrance as much as my husband does mine.

There is something to be said for smells. I would rather smell a nice scent then a body odor or bad breath.... But it seems the scent of a fragrance is more annoying. I feel bad there are so many people affected by this. I will continue to wear my fragrance and I guess the people it bothers will just have to not be in my life. The people who care... Won't care.

Also, some of the perfumes are extremely potent, with an incense type of smell that is sort of "witchy" and heavy.

Who says they aren't?

Is not that a little arrogant?

You get it. Love that someone does

That's very true but its like, who likes chocolate vs. vanilla, I guess. There are many heavy scents, like Musk, Poison (back in the 80's), Estee Lauder Youth Dew (my personal dislike because I worked on that fragrance for 8 years and it killed me, lol) and some men's fragrances like Hai Karate (sp?) but if one were to apply any fragrance with a light hand and only on the 3 points I mentioned, I don't believe these would be as offensive. Ohhhh, the men's cologne obviously cannot be applied on the cleavage, lol...:oops:

A little dab'll do ya!

Maybe what's needed is re-education and/or return to stoppers. If you have enough on that someone can't sit next to you without having an allergic reaction, or that it rubs off on another person if you hug them, then you're over the top.

We got it you don't care if people can't breath around you. Be careful the fates are cruel if a person is insensitive to the pain and problems of others they may just develop the problem they had no sympathy for.

Poison, Obsession and Youth Dew....and White Shoulders: AUGGGHHHHH! Instant headache!

I wore Must de Cartier for a long time but when I tested it recently it seemed like a different formula, or maybe it's just my sense of smell aging.

I wear several powdery scents, but the one men have consistently told me they like is Estee Lauder Sensuous Nude (not the original Sensuous). But I use it sparingly.

Remember Old Spice? Both our boys went through that "more is better" stage when you could smell them on the upper level before they even started up the stairs.

Then there was something else... English Leather, or something like that. Oh, and Canoe!

EGGGG-XACTLY!!!!!:sigh:

A trick with Estee Lauder fragrances (shhhhh....) is use the body lotion version of the scent, it will be a lot cheaper and lower fragrance level than the Cologne or Perfume.

My favorite perfume worn by women is Eau de New Car Interior.

I remember Old Spice. It reminds me of my father. I so wish I could smell it again. I miss that smell.....

Timing
 

Funny this subject should come up. There was an article I read just last week about this (can't remember if it was the paper or a magazine). It said that when you were the same fragrance all the time, you become "immune" to it and can't smell it until you get way too much. The suggestion was to either change for a while or just not wear any for a period of time to give your sense of smell the opportunity to readjust.

Personally, I would see nothing wrong with asking a friend to "evaluate" for you. You would be doing yourself and others a favor. That being said, some fragrances are just overpowering when you uncap them, never mind applying in any amount. If you like those and hubby does, then reserve them for at home and him.

I don't think anyone wants to be offensive, with or without perfumes. Just my opinion.

I don't mean to be rude but your statement sent a jolt up my spine. That is so self-centered and inconsiderate of others. Have you no empathy?

I am highly sensitive to perfume, cologne, aftershave. I get the worst headache and my entire body starts to throb. If a person passes me and the perfume is very strong, uh oh. More than one person at a time, I get physically ill. Axe cologne is the worst. Nothing worse than a person spraying their clothes again and again without washing them!!!!

Not really. I do my thing and others can do theirs. Wear fragrance or don't. Your call and my choice.

Angie...I am shocked you are not more empathetic than this. It's not about people who care or not care. It's about allergies, sinus problems, etc. If a scent offends or effects you I would not wear it in respect for you. I thought I knew you a little better than this and am disappointed you would put your perfume/fragrance above a friendship or above someone who has allergies or sinus problems.

LOL.......!!!!!!!!! I think they sell that spray cologne at Auto Zone!

[QUOTE=KathieI;778602][FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=4]That's very true but its like, who likes chocolate vs. vanilla, I guess. There are many heavy scents, like Musk, Poison (back in the 80's), Estee Lauder Youth Dew (my personal dislike because I worked on that fragrance for 8 years and it killed me, lol) ...

As a teenager I worked one summer in the Estee Lauder factory putting the actuator buttons on the Youth Dew bottles. The perfume would run down our hands and turn our fingers green. The smell of it since then is enough to...well.. you can guess. I don't enjoy perfumes in general but I was always taught that it is a personal thing and that you shouldn't be able to smell anyone's scent unless you are in an embrace or very close proximity. If I am that close before I can detect their perfume then it's fine with me if they are wearing it. I just don't appreciate a nasal assault that precedes a visual introduction.

I can so relate to everyone who wishes to escape the cloying heavy nauseating perfumes which some folks seem to bathe in.

It is not pleasant to be in the company of one or many of those who drench themselves in powerful scents. Freshly bathed wins out in the long run.

Nowadays, so many have allergies to perfume. Actually, I haven't worn perfume or cologne for a very long time now........it actually started with the bees and hornets and wasps being so attracted to the scent......when we'd go for a hike in the foothills........

Totally insect free now that I've gone cold turkey on the perfume.

For those who must wear a scent.........there used to be nice cream sachets which can be applied lightly to each wrist..........just for a "hint" of scent. Nothing overpowering. You can still hug people without knocking them over.

[/QUOTE] As a teenager I worked one summer in the Estee Lauder factory putting the actuator buttons on the Youth Dew bottles. The perfume would run down our hands and turn our fingers green. The smell of it since then is enough to...well.. you can guess. I don't enjoy perfumes in general but I was always taught that it is a personal thing and that you shouldn't be able to smell anyone's scent unless you are in an embrace or very close proximity. If I am that close before I can detect their perfume then it's fine with me if they are wearing it. I just don't appreciate a nasal assault that precedes a visual introduction.[/QUOTE]

:22yikes: Yikes, that had to be one heck of a job. I totally understand. Plus I think you make a good point of not being able to smell anyone's scent unless you are in an embrace or very close in proximity.

Our first golden frequently wore Essence de Molé.

"Ummm - you're not gonna like this but quite frankly, I don't care. I have reached the stage in my life where I don't give a rat's behind what other people like and don't like. I will damned well do as I please aside from something illegal. Don't sit next to me - thank you !"

I second the Wow. With an attitude like this I think you'll find that people will subtlety avoid you. But it won't be because of your perfume.

:BigApplause:

You hit that nail on the head! Kinda makes it hard to make firends, doesn't it!

...... and when we lived up North, my beautiful Lab preferred Essence de Anything Left Rotting in the Woods! She used to rub herself in anything really awful and if we didn't immediately notice it the whole house would smell of something rotting in the woods!

I couldn't agree more. I get instant headaches from perfumes, colognes etc. Less is better. None is best.

If they showered every day they wouldn't need "Shower to Shower."

A general observation...many posts have turned personal...too many to clean up.

Please stay on topic or this thread may need to be closed.

Thank you.

Interesting discussion! I, too, do not like certain scents and do get headaches from them. High on my list is Downy and sunscreens/lotions. Whenever possible I move away from the offending smell but it seems my nose has its own memory and stays with me for several hours!

With friends like you lot who needs it. I'll stick with the ones I have.