What’s That Smell?

Whoa! Is that you or is that me? Whoever it is could stop a rhino dead in his tracks with that smell. It really doesn’t matter if it’s straight body odor or what you consider to be a sweet smelling perfume. The important thing is that it’s offensive. Modern Manners Guy here. In all fairness, it could be me that is so stinky, but either way we need to have a chat.

Some Bad News

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but sometimes each of us has a bad day and is just plain stinky. I’m here to tell you that you’re not alone, but you just might be if you don’t take care of the force field that is keeping everyone at bay.

Taking Over the Ol’ Factory

The first thing to really talk about here is body odor since each of us has it from time to time. Body odor is the smell of bacteria growing on our bodies and reproducing in the presence of sweat. No big deal. It happens. An issue arises when this smell becomes uncomfortable to someone else. If you notice a dearth of people willing to ride in a car with you, there are some steps you can take to overcome this minor setback.

The good thing is that we can actually smell our own body odor and can take action to ease the problem.

Sweating Can Be the Pits

Now, what kind of action can we take? Well, good hygiene is the place to start. Showering or bathing daily can go a long way toward resolving this issue. This is, however, only Step One.

Step Two would be paying attention to your situation and using a deodorant that suits your activities and climate. Deodorants will actually destroy the bacteria that are causing the smell and should probably be used at least once daily. Living in a warmer climate or performing a strenuous activity would be a reason for checking your scent regularly and applying another dose of that odor fighting gold as often as is necessary.

My bonus thought for this segment is to mention antiperspirants that react with your body to actually prevent it from sweating. Now, that can’t take care of all odor but might quickly get any issues to a more manageable state.

Each of us should always be aware of our noise level, our language, and where we are standing, walking, riding or driving. So it should go without saying that we should also be conscious of the way we smell. Be actively aware of yourself and take the appropriate measures to dissuade any malodorousness.

Smoke Break

Another hot topic these days is cigarette smoke and the associated health risks. I’m not doing this podcast to tell you to stop smoking. I’m sure you have a number of people already on your case about that. My plea is that you take care to avoid offending anyone with the smoke.

I’m not sure there would be much of an argument if I just went ahead and said that cigarette smoke doesn’t smell very good. It can permeate clothes, hair, carpet — just about anything. So if you are going to smoke, be aware of those around you and take measures to keep a low profile.

Some suggestions are to smoke outside and do so with the wind. This will keep the smoke from lingering on your person. You might wear an extra outer garment to catch the smoke and keep the smoke out of your clothes. Then let the wind blow any smell away for a few moments when you are through. I would also suggest that you properly dispose of any cigarette butts as they can be a source of odor even when you are not around.

Also, and this goes for anyone with breath issues, brushing your teeth, gargling mouth wash and popping the strongest mint you can handle will help diminish the odor.

Killing with Kindness

There is one more piece to this puzzle, and one that is potentially confusing. Perfumes have been created and used for centuries to cover odor. However, in our age of technology and city infrastructure, many of us have the ability to prevent any odor that would need covering. This renders perfume a secondary tool.

Don’t get me wrong here. Perfume, Cologne, and After Shave are nice and can play a part in creating personal attraction. But this part should always be subtle and not overwhelming. Wearing a strong perfume to work or to a public event should be avoided. If you’re not sure whether your scent is too strong, just ask someone who will give you a straight answer. And if they say yes, don’t be offended. Merely take steps to become less obtrusive.

The Smell of Success

A final word on this is to be aware of your surroundings. Many cultures view body odor differently, but each view should be respected. Take care of yourself the way the locals do and, again, keep a low profile. The less your smell differs from those around you, the less you will be asked to ride on the roof of the car.

Thanks for listening to another episode of The Modern Manners Guy’s Quick and Dirty Tips for a More Polite Life.

For a transcript of this and all the other Modern Manners Guy’s podcasts, visit manners.quickanddirtytips.com. If you have questions or comments, please e-mail manners@quickanddirtytips.com or leave a voicemail at 206-666-4MRM.

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