to be put off going out to restaurants because of the smell?

[toonoisie]

I don’t know if this is just me being fussy, but I’m starting to feel really put off eating out. It’s not the food or the cost, it’s the smell that clings to everything.

Every time I go somewhere, especially places doing grilled or fried food, I come home and my clothes absolutely stink. My coat smells, my hair smells, even my bag sometimes. It’s that heavy, greasy food smell that just doesn’t shift unless everything goes straight in the wash. I don’t want to be washing coats and outfits after every meal out.

It’s got to the point where I think twice before going because I know I’ll come back feeling like I need a full shower and laundry reset. Bit of a mood killer when you’re meant to be enjoying yourself.

I get that it comes with the territory, it’s a restaurant not a perfume shop but surely better ventilation is a thing?

AIBU to be put off by this or is everyone else just accepting that this is part of eating out?

Wow, you use the exact same stuff as me!!!!!

Haha - I didn’t expect to find a kindred spirit today @toonoisie ! It’s lovely to realise I’m
not the only person on the planet with these thoughts and rituals! I’ve been a figure of mockery to many a partner / family member / friend over the years.

Here’s to us, and our definitely best way to be! 🥂

If your hands get raw from washing them so much it’s definitely not the best way to be. Hopefully you are not passing any of this onto any DC

I'm glad you've found a kindred spirit OP but it sounds like you both have OCD

Once the food is cooked, I will leave it outside to cool down

What? 😂

Yes putting food outside after cooking really isn’t usual

Please see if you can find help-these reactions are very extreme and must be so difficult for you-and others-to live with. And PLEASE don’t wash your hands in bleach.

How do ypu cook at home? Just boil or steam everythimg with super-tight lids on?
Chinese restaurants can do a lot pf frying/stir frying, Turkish wtc will have open grills for meat.
But frankly it sounds as if you don’t enjoy eating out at all. So why do it?
Or stick to Micheliin starred places perhaps.

I enjoy eating out. I just don't want to come home smelling of it.

Is there anything that might convince you that you don’t?

"I am bulk buying Febreze atm"

To be honest I'd find me & my house smelling of month old kippers less unpleasant than the aroma of Febreze. Ditto Zoflora.

I was waiting how people with this extreme sensitivity to smells coped with scents like Febreze. Normal food smells don't bother me once I have left a restaurant. I can't stand Febreze though!

Omg OP I’m glad it’s not just me!!!

My family all think I’m bonkers because they can’t smell it, but it literally makes my stomach flip!

We have a kitchen maid clothes pulley and I have repeatedly asked DH to either not fry food when my clothes are on it or to remove my clothes while he does it - he thinks I’ve lost the plot!

@toonoisie have you sought medical assistance? This level of hyper sensitivity to smells is not normal.

All my clean laundry is kept out of the kitchen otherwise I will have to do it all over again!

I don't need any medical assistance. I just don't like smelling of food.

How sure are you?

I'm not trying to be flippant but hypersensitive reactions to taste and smell can mean there are issues. You should get checked to be safe.

What do you mean by ‘I am super clean elsewhere too’?

I don't have hypersensitive reactions to taste.

Sitting here while DH fries burgers….. I even bought him air fryer but he refuses to use it….. I want to bury him under the patio…..

Dont be obtuse, it doesn't have to be both together.

I will use the air fryer a lot more because it reduces cooking smell. I put it under the extractor fan.

Need a hand burying him?

Go to nicer restaurants

I thought it was just me! Some places are worse than others but yes, the lingering smell afterwards is not something I’d choose. I smell it on other people when they sit next to me in the theatre or if I meet someone after they’ve eaten, so I assume I also smell like that after I’ve been in a restaurant.

I don’t have sensitivity to any other smells either, it’s literally just the cooked/fried/greasy food smell that lingers on clothes that turns my stomach 🤢🥴