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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to carry a pomander when travelling by public transport?

208 replies

ElaineFiggis · 27/09/2009 18:13

I was verbally abused this afternoon on the train by a very rude old man who seemed to take it personally that I was using a pomander

I know it's a bit unfashionable (don't know why though!) but the way I see it is why the hell shouldn't I take whatever measures I deem appropriate to protect myself from discomfort?

If people observed proper personal hygiene (nothing obsessive here, I just mean not actually smelling bad and making other people feel unwell) and stayed off the buses and trains when they have hacking coughs and sneezes etc, I wouldn't use it

but I travel a lot and just want to be comfortable - why he was so rude I don't understand

he called me a "cow"

OP posts:
sarah293 · 27/09/2009 18:28

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dittany · 27/09/2009 18:29

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Disenchanted3 · 27/09/2009 18:30

Why on earth were you on a train??? What wrong with one of these?!

Honestly!

Original poster
ElaineFiggis · 27/09/2009 18:32

OK, it's funny when you pit it like that

But haven't you ever sat on a bus and someone has got on who really really smells? And all the wondows are shut? There was a man who used to get on the bus every morning when I was going to school, it made me cry some mornings it was so bad

At least I use public transport!

OP posts:
Original poster
ElaineFiggis · 27/09/2009 18:34

not most people no dittany but some people really do stink

And they must KNOW, so they're selfish as well!

And don't get me started on people with smokers' coughs, people who take children on buses and trains with snot pouring out of their noses, people sat there shivering and sneezing

OP posts:
Morloth · 27/09/2009 18:34

Lavender Hay Max in ridiculous quantities.

sarah293 · 27/09/2009 18:35

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elmofan · 27/09/2009 18:35

are you for real ?

Eaglebird · 27/09/2009 18:36

I usually wear a clothes peg on my nose.

Original poster
ElaineFiggis · 27/09/2009 18:37

Riven it is very cheap and easy to make!

Yes elmofan I am for real

do you go on trains smelling of wee then, and cough all over people? Should they just sit there and pretend not to notice?

OP posts:
halfcut · 27/09/2009 18:39

just wear one of these next time

Original poster
ElaineFiggis · 27/09/2009 18:43

LOL halfcut I think that aowuld be going a bit far

I am talking about a spiced orange

And I got called a COW by a complete stranger for this

OP posts:
weebleswobble · 27/09/2009 18:43

What a good idea! I'm seriously considering getting pomanders for work now. I'm fed up with the stinkies and it might go down better than spritzing with air freshener over them. I'm not sure I would ever wander around with one, but then again, don't use public transport very often.

I've never understood the aversion to soap and water and if pomanders are the way to go, then you carry them at will and ignore the silly old man.

dittany · 27/09/2009 18:44

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RustyBear · 27/09/2009 18:46

They are easy to make - our Year 5 children make them on their residential trip - at least when they are doing the Tudors. see here
They are going again in November, but I think they are doing Environmental Stuff this year, or I could have nicked some for you Elaine...

Original poster
ElaineFiggis · 27/09/2009 18:47

Thank you weebles! I was beginning to think I was going a bit mad there!

LOL, I know people are everywhere with their germs and smells, I dont hide in my house or anything, but on public transport you are stuck with them and I can get quite desperate in bad air if I can't get a window open

And as I said, at l;east I am using public transport, so I am not a snob.

OP posts:
elmofan · 27/09/2009 18:48

lol halfcut , no elainefiggis i never use public transport tbh , why don't you buy a car if other peoples hygiene is such a big problem for you ?

Disenchanted3 · 27/09/2009 18:48

In all honesty, it sounds very nice and natural,

I might make one for my bedroom

JamesAndTheGiantBanana · 27/09/2009 18:49

So, is it one of these? If so, how do you keep it dry? The ones I used to make as a child to hang on the christmas tree always used to fester.

GentleOtter · 27/09/2009 18:50

I quite like this one

There may be a section for your snuff and the snorting of.

Original poster
ElaineFiggis · 27/09/2009 18:52

erm dittany I think you'll find I AM doing the world a favour by using public transport

An orange and some nice smelling spices seems such a little thing to get abusive about when you look at the wider picture of most people being in cars because they don't want to "mix with the great unwashed"#

And if the great unwashed don'[t like it they should have a wash!

OP posts:
LaurieFairyCake · 27/09/2009 18:55

you carry an orange about with you

that is fairly bizarre behaviour

no wonder people were looking

TheHeadbangingWombat · 27/09/2009 18:55

The thought of someone sitting on public transport with a pomander is hysterical.

Yes I know I'm easily amused.

I can't say that I've ever felt the need for one.

dittany · 27/09/2009 18:56

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ILikeToQuickstepItTangoIt · 27/09/2009 18:57

I thought pomanders were a thing of the past!

I used to have a ceramic one which you could put pot-pourri in and keep the wardrobe smelling nice - not that it ever smelled horrible!

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