this post was submitted on 09 Oct 2023
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You're probably not serious, but I wrote this it out, so I'll post it:
The difference is that smokers actively blow smelly air out, whereas perfume is just a passive (if smelly) thing on one's body. To ban perfume would be more similar to banning people who smoke (even if they're not actively smoking) because the smoke lingers in their hair and clothes, and that opens up the door to banning construction workers because they might smell sweaty, farmers because they might smell like manure, or preschool teachers because they might smell like baby spit/vomit. Let's just ban smoking as an activity.
I'm quite serious. I have allergic reactions to perfumes and scents that are in many products - at first it's uncomfortable, and with continued exposure, my eyes turn red, nose clogs, my lips swell and I start sneezing. For some reason it's okay for people to blow huge amounts of these scents from dryer vents, and wear them and clothing exuding the fragrances in public. It's not about the odor or some judgement about which fragrance people use. Like cigarettes, it's chemicals in the air which cause problems for me and many other people. In many areas workplaces have adopted fragrance-free policies. It's not something I can control in public, though, such as on airplanes or stores, and as your post illustrates, most people don't understand or take it seriously.
Does it happen with normal stick deodorant, or just stuff that you spray?
Anything that exudes a fragrance, which includes roll-ons or sticks. Body spray is worse, probably because it ends up covering more area. I had a GF who used Secret brand literally in secret after she went to work. I'd tried to replace it with half a dozen scent-free ones and she was worried it wasn't enough. So, she'd come home and I'd be like hmm, you smell odd... it's an very inconvenient thing to have because I have to ask people close to me to use fragrance free things too, so I can stand being near them.
Got it. I really did think it was just a judgement of those who wish to hide their body odor. I'm sorry it affects you. Maybe both really should be banned.
Perfume designers should design hypoallergenic perfumes.
Oh, right on. I do understand the body odor thing - my problem is I can use antiperspirant but not fragrances. Probably some people think I'm a heathen. I'm sure more people hate BO than are bothered by perfumes. One thing that gets me is people have scented shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, hair spray, laundry detergent, fabric softener, even hand lotion, and they all have different scents, so they end up smelling like 10 different fragrances at once. I have issues with things like scented dish or dishwasher detergent too, and fragrance free ones - no problem at all.
Essential oils are easier for me to deal with, but they still get me after a while. Makes sense since lavender essential oil is not just one thing but actually 100 different chemicals. Natural scents are easier to deal with than synthetic ('fragrance' and 'parfum' in ingredients), for some reason, maybe because synthetic scent products often have a carrier like pthalates. I'd love to figure out what it actually is.
They actively apply it to attack me all day. The fuck are you smoking? It's made to constantly perfume the air.
Counter-point... sweat, manure, and baby spit don't mess with my allergies like perfumes do. Perfumes should be banned (and I also wouldn't cry if smokers smelling like smoke were banned too).