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AIBU?

Perfume - akin to cigarette smoke ?

140 replies

Squills · 28/10/2016 12:11

AIBU to feel saddened by a blog I read recently or am I just out of touch?

The article related to our taste in perfume often changes with age - especially after the menopause. It was followed by an online discussion and I was amazed to read that some people feel that perfume shouldn't be used at all in public and liken it to cigarette smoke in both smell and hazardous effects.

I felt really saddened by the sanitised view of life some of the posters portrayed. One poster called it a 'perfume habit' and went on referring to perfume as if it was a Class A drug.

I love perfume and feel 'undressed' without wearing it. I feel it will be a sad day if users are banned from wearing it (as some of the posters felt they should be).

OP posts:
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EdmundCleverClogs · 28/10/2016 12:17

You are totally unreasonable I'm afraid. Perfumes give me migraines (I get ill in any big Boots with their awful huge display/scents all over the place). It's like people who wear it don't realise how they make the space around them muggy. Fine for open spaces, but stuck near someone covered in perfume is vile. I'd actually rather stand next to a smoker.

What's wrong with just being washed/wearing deodorant/clean clothes? Why spray nasty chemicals over yourself to smell 'nice'?

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pringlecat · 28/10/2016 12:19

You may love perfume, but you need to understand some people don't just dislike perfume, they are actually allergic to it. It makes them ill. We're not talking about different preferences, we're talking about people's health - does your love of perfume trump someone's right to not be ill? Try looking at it from that POV.

YABU.

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chowchowchow · 28/10/2016 12:20

I love wearing perfume and have an amazing collection. Believe me if it became illegal I'd end up trading it on the black market and evading capture in a haze of amber/patchouli/oud.

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MadameDePomPom · 28/10/2016 12:20

Are people really supposed to stop wearing perfume outside the confines of their own home because some people are allergic to it?

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Softkitty2 · 28/10/2016 12:21

People will find something to be offended about. Whether its food that 'smells' perfume, etc.. Everyone is so fucking precious.
I wear perfume and won't stop.

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Softkitty2 · 28/10/2016 12:26

chowchow I lol'd at your comment. Let me know who yourblackmarket dealer is if it gets banned😂

I too love perfume and have a great collection. Next purchase will probably be the muskytom ford velvet orchid.

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mrsclooneytoyou · 28/10/2016 12:28

If the said fragrance is Poison. Then you ABU. That stuff is rancid

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pringlecat · 28/10/2016 12:29

MadameDePomPom Softkitty2 Spraying perfume in an open-plan office or on public transport is antisocial and unfair to people with allergies. Wearing perfume? I think that's OK as long as you use a small amount rather than tipping an entire bottle over you.

Unfortunately many people don't seem to understand the difference between a light fragrance and drowning in the stuff - when you have that much perfume on, it is antisocial. I've had to get up and stand before due to the person next to me being soaked in perfume and as well as a perfume allergy, I have a hidden disability that means I shouldn't be standing.

It's all about self-awareness, really!

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expatinscotland · 28/10/2016 12:31

YANBU. People always find something to get wound up about. Passive smoking had been proven to cause cancer. It's not the same as perfume.

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Titsywoo · 28/10/2016 12:34

I think it's a bit of an overreaction. Although I make dh go outside to put his spray deodorant on. He uses loads and the smell gets in the back of my throat and makes me cough.

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MadameDePomPom · 28/10/2016 12:37

Oh yeah, I completely agree don't drench yourself in it. Especially if Angel (yak!) is your perfume of choice!

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user1467976192 · 28/10/2016 12:43

It's bull... perfume was banned in the 80's esp Dior poison. This is because it was fashionable to have powerful scents. Nowadays people are moving away from that... 90's was all about the fruit thanks to bath and body works..

As for the menopause that's what they are telling people who are loyal to a fragrance as many formulas have changed to make them better for sensitive skins. The law now states because perfume don't have a purpose other than to smell it should not cause an allergic reaction.. however perfume houses don't want people to know the formulas have been reworked so they blame the menopause

I know what you mean though not wearing perfume is like going out without my knickers... don't like it don't smell me

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chowchowchow · 28/10/2016 12:46

Ooh softkitty great choice. I have the TF velvet orchid. DH loves Tuscan leather by TF too. My current favourite is called sensual orchid by Laurent mazzone Grindeeeelish. I recommend highly

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Soubriquet · 28/10/2016 12:46

I think it depends how much you wear

A little spritz. Lovely

Enough to walk round in a fog of it that you can smell 10 steps away..too much.

Makes me dizzy and can trigger dh's asthma

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PuppyMonkey · 28/10/2016 12:46

I think banning it is a bit OTT - but if you're going to wear it, you'll have to accept that some people will think you smell like vomit rather than the subtle fragrant bloom you probably intended. Grin

And yy - if you're wearing Poison you deserve to stand in shame with the fag smokers. Wink

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TheSconeOfStone · 28/10/2016 12:49

A small amount of perfume can be lovely. Loads is awful. Hits the back of my throat and makes me wheeze. I find it's often the smokers who overdo the perfume because they think it hides the tobacco. It really doesn't.

Can't stand it when a group of blokes walk past stinking of aftershave. Not attractive. Love the subtle smell on my DH. He knows me well enough not to overdo it.

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specialsubject · 28/10/2016 12:50

No one should smell of anything unless you are in kissing distance. Perfume is quite nasty for many people so like all other smells, keep it to yourself.

When I was at uni people who smelled strongly of civet cat arse were greeted with 'didn't you wash this morning?'

And please don't apply in public. It does reek.

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WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeG0es · 28/10/2016 12:53

If you are going to be within arms length of other people for any length of time (public transport, theatre etc) then it's highly antisocial IMO. Gives me migraines.

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ILostItInTheEarlyNineties · 28/10/2016 12:56

`I must be doing something wrong. After an hour or so, I can barely smell my perfume, it seems to wear off. I'm not sure how these women are wafting about in a fog of scent, they must spray it on every inch of their body. Confused

I would have thought it very rare to be allergic to the smell of someone's perfume but I suppose a small minority are? Would that include any scent? What about a scented candle, would people react to that I wonder?

I don't find it offensive at all. I love a bit of perfume when I can afford it, it's a luxury for me Smile.

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WhisperingLoudly · 28/10/2016 12:57

Apart from the odd person in RL expressing a distaste of poison or angel I've never heard any objection to perfume outside of MN.

On here it is treated akin other anti social behaviour but I've never come across that view elsewhere.

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user1467976192 · 28/10/2016 12:58

I must be ok... I have worn perfume since I was 3 never had complaints

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ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 28/10/2016 13:00

YABU.

I don't understand why people want to be smelled as they waft past. It's just bizarre Hmm

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ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 28/10/2016 13:01

On here it is treated akin other anti social behaviour but I've never come across that view elsewhere

Because in RL people are far too polite to comment on the way you smell.

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PuppyMonkey · 28/10/2016 13:03

User - do you really think people would say it to your face if they thought you smelled awful? Grin

Yep most scented candles smell pretty horrible to me. And many air fresheners. I'm not allergic or anything, but just trying to warn you perfume fans that you might not smell as nice as you think to others.

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user1467976192 · 28/10/2016 13:04

Fine... that's not true I look after the elderly if they didn't like the way I smelled they would tell me.

It's not that I want to be smelled that would be weird but nicer for everyone if I leave a smell behind me it's a pleasant one

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