To think this is perfectly normal? (warning - a bit gross)

[AQAHistory]

Can you distinguish your family members by their smells? Including by the smell of their farts?

I was having a laugh with a friend, and she claims that it's weird that I can tell, by the smell of a fart, or by a used bathroom, which member of my family (3 kids and DH) produced it. I can also tell who has worn something just by the smell. None of them is a smelly person, they just have their own smells (not BO or products. Just their smells). Turns out she also thinks it weird that, when the kids were babies, I could smell a day before they came out with a virus that they were about to get unwell.

AIBU to say this is is all pretty normal for women?!

Yes, I can do this. I joke with my OH that if he ever had an affair, I'd know it immediately from the smell of another woman being on him 😂I can tell when my 4yo has been getting cuddles from his nursery teacher, as can smell her perfume on him.

I have a very keen sense of smell and it isn't great. We have a smelly dog, and I get on my husband's nerves throwing windows open, because I just can't breathe sometimes. I wash the dogs bed and towels regularly, but sometimes wish we had never got him (which makes me sad, because he is a lovely little thing). 😢
I can tell when my DH is going to be unwell by smell. I can tell when I am going to be unwell by how some things taste, tea and some fruit for instance. It has got worse since covid. I can't tell who has last used the loo, though (glad about that tbh).

@SmileEachDay

Try going to a primary school. The kids can all tell who a discarded jumper belongs to by smell 🥰

Yes! My daughter does this. I can definitely tell who’s been in the bathroom but with 2 girls ages 7 & 5 I can’t ever be sure who’s smell is who’s on their clothes!

Out of my family it can always tell if my husband has used the bathroom, he has a weird smell.

I can do this.

Another interesting thing about smell and taste is how much it heightens during pregnancy. Before I realised I was pregnant- so only 1-2 weeks, my dh came back from a trip away wearing a new aftershave and I found it really distressing because I didn't recognise his smell. I also found - and please don't judge as it really was only one occasional sip! - that if I had a sip of his wine I could accurately describe the flavours - blackcurrant, cherry, vanilla etc - that would be on the label. Which I can't usually do. Unfortunately pregnancy is not the time to make the most of that super skill! I knew I was pregnant with my daughter because the pepperoni on my pizza tasted unusual.

I wonder if it is a natural defence mechanism as the need to avoid rancid food/ men who aren't your partner is highest when pregnant. And the need to detect illness is highest as a parent

Just before the start of her period, same now too. That said I’m more likely to notice her general demeanour now she’s a bit older but can still smell her body odour changes.

You people have the distinction (maybe not the right word) of sharing a sixth sense, like cats and dogs. All hail the next chapter in human evolution!

Seriously though, dogs have a very acute sense of smell and some can detect illness generally, pregnancy, oncoming hypos, seizures etc.

Wow, I'm known amongst my family for having an unholy sense of smell that can detect a child that's eaten chocolate before dinner but next to you lot I'm an absolute amateur!

Not the OP but yes I am.

What OP has described all sounds pretty normal to me although I can’t smell when DH or DD are starting to get sick. I used to be able to when she was younger but DH could smell it too. Her breath would change.

I drive DH a bit crazy with how much I can smell things that he has no idea about. Sex requires a pretty high level of cleanliness. No sex after a long sweaty day without a shower first. Gross.

Sorting the washing can make me feel sick from the various bodily smells on the dirty clothes, especially in warm weather. It was so bad when I was pregnant that DH had to do it. Once he’d sorted them into their loads for me I’d be able to grab them and shove them in the machine.

When I had Covid and lost my sense of smell I initially found it to be a relief. I did start to miss my sense of smell after about a week. It probably took about three months or so for it to recover almost fully.

I’m definitely a super taster. I don’t like spicy food, heavily seasoned food, alcohol, dark coffee flavours, and so many things. Meat and three veg is great. Unlikely to overwhelm my tastebuds unlike more complex dishes.

Why would it be a ‘woman’ thing? 😬

It’s a weird thing though. Farts are just the smell of impending shits, so I’m not sure how personalised they are.

It is mostly a woman thing. Women in general have a far keener sense of smell for biological things in particular.

I assume the "personalisation" relates to people's different gut microbiomes?

And yes - women have more sensitive smell and hormones are hugely influential, hence the "woman thing".