Embracing the Unpleasant: A Love for Odd Scents
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Chapter 1: A Whiff of Nostalgia
Take a moment to indulge in the oddities of scent! Ever thought about where to find a candle that smells like gasoline?
When it comes to fragrances, the aroma of stinky armpits is surprisingly one of my favorites. I can’t help but find humor in imagining a model all prim and proper, when really, I prefer the raw, unfiltered scent.
Last Dog to Fart: A Fond Memory
In my early years, I remember snuggling under the covers with my mom, both of us giggling as we let out our farts, creating a peculiar blend of smells. The pungent air was something I relished, and I would often stay beneath the sheets, only surfacing for a breath of fresh air when it became too overwhelming.
Even our dogs contribute to this aromatic experience! I find myself amused by the unique smells they produce, especially the unmistakable old egg scent that occasionally wafts from their behinds. On particularly amusing days, the soft sound of their gas makes me chuckle, and I have a strange fondness for dog breath in small doses, as well as the delightful scent of a freshly bathed pooch.
Growing up, camping in a town named Sulphur meant I was constantly surrounded by the natural scent of sulfur. Instead of being repulsed, I embraced it while enjoying the clear streams. The smell of rotten eggs became synonymous with lazy summer afternoons and the anticipation of returning home to hunt for hidden Easter eggs.
As I drove along country roads, the scent of a dead skunk or the surprise of a live one would often greet me. The musky aroma would compel me to take a deeper breath, appreciating it while it lingered. Interestingly, I also enjoy the scent of marijuana, though I often find it hard to distinguish between that and skunk spray.
Section 1.1: The Allure of Gasoline
The aroma of gasoline is another guilty pleasure of mine. While I would never huff it—valuing my brain too much—I can't help but adore its scent. I often wonder if anyone has created a gasoline-scented candle yet. My fascination with unique scents led Roz Warren to mention my quirky preference in her humorous article on unconventional candle ideas.
Subsection 1.1.1: Armpit Affection
There's something strange yet thrilling about the scent of sweaty armpits. Perhaps it's the pheromones at play or just my peculiar taste, but I find myself drawn to inhaling my husband's armpit scent, despite his bemusement. Occasionally, he humorously indulges me, allowing me a brief moment to revel in my olfactory delight.
If he's not in the mood for my unusual fixation, I can always skip the deodorant for a whiff of my own scent, which, while not quite the same, still provides some satisfaction.
Section 1.2: Culinary Scent Adventures
Garlic is another scent that I adore, much to my friend Sarah's teasing about my non-vampiric nature. I once roasted an entire head of elephant garlic and gobbled it up, only to be met with the pungent aroma escaping my pores afterward. My BFF kept her distance, clearly unimpressed.
In college, my love for cooking strong-smelling foods led to an incident where I prepared a curry meal. My roommate stormed out, frustrated by the aroma that lingered too long for her liking. But once curry is in the air, there's no escaping it.
I enjoy a variety of strong food scents, from bacon and coffee to the more unconventional choices like broccoli and Brussels sprouts, which some might say smell akin to farts.
Chapter 2: The Science Behind Our Scent Preferences
There’s actually a term for my love of odd smells: benign masochism. Psychologist Paul Rozin explored this concept in 2013, identifying activities that people enjoy despite their seemingly unpleasant nature. These include everything from the thrill of a horror film to the pain of a deep tissue massage.
The essence is that these experiences are perceived as "safe threats." While not all forms of benign masochism appeal to me, my affinity for unusual scents certainly does.
In my quest for more intriguing aromas, I stumbled upon the Stinky Candle Company, which features a range of bizarre scents. The top favorites among shoppers include:
- Bacon
- Chlorine
- Gasoline
- Fart
- Pizza
- Mary Jane
- Money
- Hemp
- Timber
- Burrito
- Fries
- Body Odor
Am I truly as peculiar as I think? Surprisingly, the least popular scents, like sausage, leave me puzzled.
What Unusual Scents Do You Enjoy?
While there are definitely some scents that I find offensive—think hot trash, smelly feet, and stagnant swamp water—I mostly revel in my odd scent preferences.
Are you also a benign scent masochist? I’d love to hear about your strangest scent obsessions in the comments!
Thank you for indulging my quirky love for unusual aromas! Below is an ode to farts that I've composed, along with a complete list of my humorous works. Your support means the world to me!
The first video titled "What Stinks? 8 Common Smells in Your Home & How to Fix Them!" offers insights on managing unpleasant odors that many of us encounter daily.
The second video, "Love Stinks: The Smell of Attraction," explores the intriguing connection between scent and attraction in relationships.