“I have a really acute sense of smell”

[INXS]

I know it’s not something anyone can do anything about. But whenever I hear a statement like the one in the title, it sort of sounds like the person with the nose like a bloodhound is secretly quite proud of their extra special abilities to detect cigarette smoke from one hundred paces, or the smell of someone else’s unwashed bra.

But I don’t like the idea of people who are, unbeknownst to us norms, secretly revolted by everyone around them. That they know that I ate a curry last night, and are resentful that I was so rude as to eat something with spices the day before going out in public (I actually read that on here). That my house stinks to them, or that they have to scrub their house after I’ve been to visit.

AIBU to dislike the idea of someone else having a supernatural sense of smell?! It makes me not want to be around them!

[BlackEyedKid]

This thread is fascinating.

[INXS]

“And yes of course I can smell that I have a smell. All humans do. I had a shower this morning and can still smell my smell.”

But most people become “blind” to their own smell, which is why we aren’t driven mad by the smell of the inside of our own noses!

[AgathaRaisonDetra]

My MIL wears a perfume that I cannot bear and she insists on spraying it on every hour. 😷😷😷😷

[Upsy1981]

My DD used to be like this when she was younger, and still is to a degree, although its fading a bit as she gets older. She would frequently say 'Ew what's that smell?' when I couldn't smell anything at all and she hated eating in a restaurant if someone in the vicinity was eating fish as it was just overwhelming to her.

[Doobigetta]

As if they are above that, their role is only to endure other people’s foul stench, but that they themselves are above reproach

I have a fairly strong sense of smell, although not to the degree of some posters here. I can assure you that this is not the case. I pick up every little hint of a smell on me- deodorant wearing off, jeans that should have gone in the wash, foody hands- x1m and obsess over it. And that is far worse than smelling other people.

[CatastropheKate]

I smell different at the moment as I'm taking some medication. I can identify the kids friends by smell, eg clothes left after parties, or coming home in the wrong jumper. Also the weather / soil temperature and sick kids (my own) although they smell differently - both sweet, but one with wild garlic.
It's getting worse as I get older, as I can't be close to stinky people anymore in shops or queues. Sense of smell is same,but no longer have tolerance.

[paddyplaistow]

I have a strange sense of smell. One example is that I find that people with ginger hair smell very vinegary to me. Dyeing it makes no difference- I can still smell vinegar. However, I have never told anyone, only us. Some people could take offence over something that is not their fault at all .

[RoseRuby26]

I have a very weak sense of smell so you'd love me. I worry about smelling and being completely oblivious.

[TinklyLittleLaugh]

Hmm, I don't think I have a particularly strong sense of smell, but I do pay attention to how things smell. I can smell when my children are going to be ill. I could probably be blindfolded and recognise all the men I have ever slept with by smell. I could recognise people's houses by smell and most of my friends. I can walk around a garden and recognise a plant by smell, then spot it hiding away in a corner. I can smell if babies are breastfed or not.

I really like natural smells though; I don't really like perfume or room fragrances or that kind of strong fakey stuff.My godson says my house smells of curry and washing powder though, which is probably not a good thing.

[blackteasplease]

I've always thought I have a very weak sense of smell, perhaps because ex h is one of those super smell people.

But some of the things you describe on here do affect me, like smelling if someone has had spicey food the day before. Sometimes I've been able to spend people's always scented sanitary towels without being partkculalry close to them. That's a bit gross. And i do have strong reactions to some smells.

[blackteasplease]

I thought everyone could smell a frost on the way, snow and rain?

[MyRelationshipIsWeird]

I have a dog nose apparently! I can tell what DP had for lunch, or whether he's been snacking when he pops to the kitchen. He can't get away with anything!

I love the smell of his top lip - that's probably pheromones more than actual smell I think.

I can often smell my own bra, or if my - short - hair needs a wash (I wash it every other day) when I'm sitting in the car or watching TV, but I can't really smell anyone else's body.

I do struggle with children though. DP says I'm like Roald Dahl's witches because I think children smell bad Not of dog poo, but just sweaty and dribbly with undertones of rancid butter I'm ok with my own DCs (although I've never been one of those baby-head-sniffers) but I cannot abide the up-close-and--personal smell of non-related children.

My DD can tell which of her friends has left an item of clothing behind by sniffing it too.

Do other people notice when the radiators are on by the smell too? I can also smell if someone has left my hair straighteners switched on as I walk upstairs, which is handy! Not sure if either of those things count as unusual though, as I guess heated things are bound to smell more.

[crunchymint]

If DP sneakily eats some chocolate in the kitchen, I can smell it on his breath as soon as he comes into the living room.

[mrsharrison]

My urine smells like corned beef to me.