Friday 10 February 2012

Smelly.






In the overwhelming blizzard of TV advertising that bombards our eyeballs in the run up to Christmas there are always adverts for perfumes and aftershave.

Weird mini-epics where skinny, androgynous people run up big staircases in floaty clothing while someone off-camera whispers the products name.  If ever there was a business that embodied the story of the Emperor's New Clothes then the fragrance industry is it.

The glamour is lost when you realise that many of these fragrances come out of enormous industrial units just off the New Jersey turnpike. 

Back in the old days when plumbing was a rarity and most people did not have access to running water then perfume was necessary to hide the stink.

These days many of us in the First World have hot running water and the option of showering every day, there is no need to wear perfume, just stay clean and stick on a bit of deodarant.

Unfortunately this is not apparent to everybody as a trip to your local comic shop will show you.  Wander past any group of young males talking about whether Thor could beat Wolverine and breathe in deep of the hormonal fog that surrounds them.  It’s like eating a sweat sandwich.

Expensive aftershaves and perfumes are no longer necessary which is why the adverts always come out in force before Christmas. They are a luxury item and serve no purpose other than to stink the place up.

Sorry this post is shorter than usual, especially when I have reached a landmark of 200 followers (thanks for putting up with me) but I am just about to drive south to meet an old friend and should have set of 15 minutes ago. Sod it, I'm off.




33 comments:

M Pax said...

Too much perfume is stinky. A little can be nice.

Have a great weekend.

Shaw said...

As a comic book fan, I resent that.

that guy said...

so true...

what i really hate is patchouli oil..

damn those hippy-jujubes...

Stephanie D said...

I like smelling good. People like me more when I smell good too. It's a win win for everyone.

Kelly Polark said...

A little is good. Too much is annoying to the senses!

Margaret said...

I'm not much of a perfume fan. I just like clean.

Az said...

I like perfume that smells clean. But then again, soap is so much cheaper :)

Jax said...

I love perfume commercials! They are always so sensual. Makes we want to buy every scent out there. Then I remember my favorites and resist dumping a 100 bucks on another bottle. lol

NJ Tpk???? Sigh...lol

Pat Hatt said...

Bah I agree, would rather have none of the crap. Just shower and throw on a little deoderant and that is that.

Outcast said...

I hate all the effort that goes into those kinds of adverts, like you I think it's definitely a little over the top to say the least!

Sujana said...

Congrats on reaching 200 followers! I completely agree, I see no need for perfume and I never buy any, my deodorant does its job anyway.

dopdavid said...

there is lots of cheap alternatives, that require no knowledge of anything, a simple 5 bucks at the grocery store, and smell problem = solved

Janie Junebug said...

I spritz on a tiny bit of perfume if it's really hot and I feel my antipersperent might not be up to the job. That's August in Florida. Sodding off as told.

Love,
Janie

Al Penwasser said...

What's worse:
LIberal application of 'Axe' and Body Odor.
Also known as "Eau de Middle School Boy."
Oh, by the way, Wolverine would beat the snot out of that poof pansy Thor.

Belle said...

I do like a little scent on a man. But not so much you are overwhelmed when you walk by.

Trisha said...

I never drown myself in perfume, but I do like to spray a bit on. Makes me feel perty. hehe

Deodorant is definitely more important, but it's really gross if people just put it on OVER their already sweat-drenched bodies. ew.

Rob Z Tobor said...

I think people here as missing a point .....Thor could beat Wolverine NO WAY its not possible, that Thor bloke is all noise (I nearly said nose rather apt bearing in mind the subject.

And I think I can safely say on behalf of all us chaps we would all rather smell a bit more Wolverine than Thor any day (I think? .....maybe)

Padded Cell Princess said...

I never wore perfume when I worked because so many people have sensitivities to smells and I didn't want to bother them. I only have one type of perfume I wear and it's only on special occasions. I can't stand the adverts around Christmas. The Prada Candy one in particular makes no sense to me. It's the young
French girl singing a weird song and attacking her young male companion in the process...apparently if you wear the perfume, you become a crazed brat!

aamedor said...

Deodorant is definitely more important. Nothing worse than a stinky pit.

Ixy said...

You should have to get within a few inches of someone to smell their perfume or aftershave. Any further and you are indeed stinking the place up. Also - the gym is not the right place for perfume and only accentuates your b.o. Deodorant is the answer.

Come At Me Bro said...

This is great!

Dylanthulhu said...

Not only am I putting up with you- YOU HAVE BEEN TAGGED!

Britta said...

Dreams in a bottle - brands that bring billions (as oil+water - sorry: I meant youth bringing super cremes). But a tiny little whiff is nice!

Zyu said...

Cool blog! Check out mine too!
http://commonvideogamers.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

Just came back from a trip in Egypt and got some perfume. You only use a drop. Not splash it all over yourself like it's shower or something.

not displayed said...

Working in retail I find it amazing the number of people that have no concept of personal hygiene.
I have a real thing for guys (and girls) who smell nice. I have been known to compliment

Heaven. said...

Moderation!

Bart said...

i recently tried some sort of balm instead of after shave. it works

Anonymous said...

Hello you! So I'm having a good eye day and rushed over to read what you have written. Once again I have to agree with you. Having allergies to perfume I can say they are the bane of my social life. (ok social life is an exaggeration since I don't have one of those.My social life revolves around going to the grocery store..(I gag and choke almost everywhere I go. God bless you for stating my opinion so I don't have to.. I knew I loved you.

Movies on my Mind said...

Man, I always try to smell nice.

Anonymous said...

You're making my nose itch.

Hannah {Culture Connoisseur} said...

I never spend money on stuff like that. Mostly because it's so hard to find a smell that works with me. Just because it smells good in the bottle doesn't mean it will smell good mixed with ones natural scent.

My husband says the best smell is eau d' Hannah. :)

Amy said...

A man who smells good is inviting and sexy, intoxicating even. Irish Spring just doesn't do it for me. But I do detest people who put way too much on.