Throughout the ages, women have proudly dapped and re-dapped our favourite perfume behind our ears and a few other places.
Our gentlemen friends have patted on their favourite aftershave and cologne. We have even scented man’s best friend and other pets unfortunate enough to get in our way.
Now in my more adult years and a victim of allergies, I wonder how many people were sneezing and coughing in my wake.
I can only say in my defense that I had a perfume I loved and proudly shared that name with all who might or might not ask.
The name of the perfume was Hope.
How ironic it is that in the days that I could use a little hope I am no longer a user; you could say I’m beyond hope.
After I stopped wearing perfume, I realized that one gets to the point where they no longer smell the scent they are wearing and although others may find it strong the wearer doesn’t notice that.
I am pleased to discover that there are many people now who realize that strong scents are very difficult for many and do contribute to fits of sneezing, coughing and asthma and therefore keep it on the light side. I recall an entertaining event I was at in Nelson and the person behind me, a gentleman no less, was exuding a very strong aroma.
About 20 minutes into the show, I started to cough and sneeze. Because the entertainment was really good, I tried to mitigate the effects by hiding my face in my jacket – alas to no avail. I finally had to leave.
Allergies are not always the same for everyone, rather reactions vary in intensity.
I sat on a committee with a lady who was so allergic, she passed out in the parking lot after being exposed to a really strong aftershave and I too have had to leave a meeting because I couldn’t function and yet for some it is just a mild discomfort.
At any rate those of us who have developed allergies don’t mean to be impolite if we move farther away from you. We are, very simply in self-preservation mode.
When I sit in the doctor’s clinic I often read the sign that suggests it is a scent free office and I wish all places could be the same.
Really, most of us shower regularly and use deodorant. Even if people use perfumed deodorant rather than scent free it wouldn’t be as bad as body sprays, perfumes, aftershaves and colognes.
Wearers also need to realize that all of these get stronger with age and if you drag one off of a long forgotten shelf, chances are it is probably really potent.
The message here, and I know not everyone will be pleased with me over this one is, “Please realize that your perfume may not bother you; however, it may very well be the undoing of others.”
Ladies and gentlemen, lighten up.
– Grace McGregor is Area C director for the RDKB