A smelly smell

I’m not stinky . . . at least I don’t think I am.  I shower everyday and make sure to wash very well the parts that are prone to stinkiness . . . you know which parts I’m referring to.  

The point is, a recent conversation and it got me thinking.  Some people do smell.  I’m not talking about those unhygienic people who neglect to bathe.  You know what I’m talking about . . . some people just seem to have a certain odor about them. 

Take Indians for example . . . I've worked with many folks from India and a lot of them have an odor about them . . . well . . . like curry.  Obviously, it has something to do with their diet. 

One of the people I was chatting with said that when she was in Korea everyone smelled like garlic and it was pretty overwhelming.   But she was surprised to discover that the Koreans thought that she smelled  . . . uhm . . . off, as well.  Apparently we  . . . westerners, specifically Americans . . . smell pretty sickening to Asians.

The supposition is because of our diets . . . our carnivorous ways . . . all the meat and fatty foods we eat.

 


Well, gee willikers!  I never thought of that. Me?  Stinky?  No way!  Mmm . . . it seems that maybe I do . . . to some people.

So, I decided to investigate this stinkiness phenomena. 

I have an acquaintance who is a vegan and who also happens to live in Israel.  So, I asked her “Do you think us meat eaters smell funny??”

Her reply,” I haven't noticed, but I’ll pay more attention now.  Maybe you do, but I've lived among you people all my life so that's the norm.”  (I love the ‘you people’ part. )

After a few days she reported back, “Cher, I have to say, I didn't notice anything special, some people do smell, but you know, some people just smell . . .sorry.”

Okay . . . maybe it’s just that we smell funny to Asian folks.  

I have another acquaintance that lives in Japan.  I asked her a similar question, “Do you think Westerners smell funny to you?”


“You mean the perfumes that kill me if I go on a same elevator?”

“No, not exactly.”

“Oh  . . .  the natural thing?   Occasionally some people have strong smell that is different from sweat.”

HA!  It’s true.  It seems that, something about us (Westerners) make us smell a little something like spoiled milk.  

So there it is.  I stink.