This article reminded me of my own olfactory experiences during visits to several countries. I make no judgments so, please, no one take it as such - I merely relate what I noticed. In descending order of B.O. magnitude were Germany (#1, hands down), France (a very close 2nd), Italy, and England and Israel tied for fourth. I do not recall noticing anything in Spain or Copenhagen. I was out and about on public transport and in public places in all these countries, so the time and exposure to the people of each was about the same. So an honest question, asked by someone from a nation where - whatever our other faults may be - B.O. is very much the exception rather than the rule: Do people in countries where odor is common simply not notice it after awhile? Or do they still notice it but simply don't care? Either answer's fine with me since I don't live there but I'm genuinely curious.
The U.S. is probably the exception to the rule when it comes to natural body odor-o-phobia. The rest of the world probably believes americans are compulsively over-concerned with our natural odors, no doubt fallen prey to the advertisers who market deodorant, body sprays, perfumes, colognes, scented fabric softeners, air fresheners, scented car deodorizers, shoe deodorizers, scented garbage pail liners, etc, and wonder what all the fuss is about?
Very likely true but beside the point. It was British travelers who noted the problem in the survey, not Americans, and if THEY are saying it's a problem, Americans would probably find the situation unfathomable if not intolerable.
Strange.... I've not been to Germany, but I would think that bathing facilities there would be common, as would deodorant. Over the years, I've had to deal with a few guys who were strangers to the bathtub. It is definitely not pleasant, and it isn't something I got used to over time. Others have told me the same. You don't get used to it, it gets worse. If someone shows up at work for a second day smelling vile, I take them aside, inform them that they are offending others and inhibiting work, and give them the time to go back home and clean up. (without loss of pay) While this isn't a pleasant task, it surely beats the alternative. Had I not intervened, it is quite possible that the crew would taken this situation into their own hands. The offender may find himself being soaped up with a gallon of Simple Green, scrubbed to lather with a floor broom, and rinsed with a fire hose. As yet, I've not had anyone refuse to go back home and get cleaned up.
I have travelled to numerous poorer countries where personal hygiene is often neglected as the population, as a whole, are more concerned about finding fresh water, enough food to eat and means to survive than how they may smell. Now the countries you listed are in a different economic strata than the countries I was describing, obviously. In those developed countries, they have choices regarding personal hygiene.
I don't think it's got so much to do with personal hygiene as it does with the foods we eat. I've lived on the Pacific Rim most of my life and I can tell when someone's native or visiting here. My diet is pescetarian, mainly vegan, and after I run I can tell from my sweat smell how well I've been eating. Not trying to start anything here.... I've noticed that I if I eat beef, pork or dairy produts my sweat smells really terrible. If I've been eating really healthy it's a very strong but clean smell.
Give these people a stick of Arko,,and tell them its deodorant,,the more they sweat, the better they smell, lol.
Exactly right. Like Bristle points out, there is (presumably) no shortage of bathing facilities or personal hygiene products in Germany but that was the country for me where it was the most noticeable everywhere I went...men, women, young, old, didn't matter. The situation you describe in developing nations most definitely calls for understanding and graciousness on our part...but in leading, advanced 1st world countries with no such basic survival concerns? Puzzling.
I noticed it only a few times in Israel and even then, I was standing right next to the people I was speaking with. Other than that, I noticed nothing. It was not a pervasive part of the atmosphere, as it seemed elsewhere.
Take a ride on a bus full of high school boys after a football game in 95°F heat, and then tell me how much better Americans smell. Climate, diet, culture and ventilation all contribute.
I've done something similar. Axe covers a multitude of odors, but at great cost. Americans, in general, don't go around smelling bad all the time to the point we're notorious for it.
Alternatively...as Fat Bastard sez..."everyone likes their own brand"... ...surely there's a fair amount of acclimatization involved as well, be it to dietary or personal hygiene habits.
Yes, I agree. Hence the popularity of pickup trucks in the US. The designated driver drives, and the football players ride dog. (in the box) At least that's how it was when I was in school.
I must say that the worst I have experienced was in Athens, Greece durino the summer on a public bus. It was all I could doto not gag (or worse). Just awful!
