Scent Overload

I hear more and more people talk about being affected by scents. I've had issues with scents for decades.

My sinuses close up.  My neck clenches.  My nose gets stuffy.  The reaction varies depending on the scent and strength of the scent.

I don't know if it's an American problem or a global problem.

But people seem eager to cover up their supposedly smelly selves with a hodge-podge of scents that waft into the common atmosphere like second-hand smoke.

I like to walk the dogs outside in the fresh air.  Well, okay, fresh air and Phoenix may not go together, but it's reasonably fresh.

I pass a house and am overwhelmed by the Spring breeze dryer fragrance.  Yes, dryers vent to the outside.  It's not just your clothes are that becoming dryer fresh. It's the whole area around your house.

People stand in their bathrooms with the air freshener spewing out its fragrance.  They apply scented moisturized and put scented deodorant on under their laundry scented clothes.  They comb their scented shampooed and conditioned hair and maybe spray on some scented hair spray.  They spritz their mouths with breath freshener.  Top off the whole combination with cologne or perfume.

None of these fragrances match.  They walk out the door a simmering concoction of mixed scents.

I've pulled into work, with no one in sight, gathered up my belongings, walked to the elevator, waited for the elevator, and stepped into a cloud of cologne.  No one has been present for at least five minutes, but the smell is over-powering.

What must it be like to stand right next to this person?

What started this devotion to chemically-produced fragrances?  Are we so convinced that our natural, clean selves smell unpleasantly?  I've not had anyone complain.  Or avoid me.  So I assume that regular bathing is sufficient.

Why are we so convinced that adding a scent makes everything better?