Who doesn’t know them? They are everywhere and they badger you in the smallest places, like in the S-Bahn or subway, in the metro or in the bus. It also often happens in front of me or behind me in the line. Who knows what I’m talking about? Yes, you’re right. It’s the scents. Well, they are alive, but they don’t know that they stink. Maybe they know it and even enjoy it. Probably, they even don’t care. I call it public scent harassment. Unfortunately, there are now laws and so everyone can smell musty without having to care about other people.
Lately at Penny’s. I’m standing in the line with my basket and there he comes. The mordantly sweet scent. A mixture of sweat and decay enters my nose. I feel like a cartoon character that is smelling a rat, but it’s no rat and I’m no cartoon character. These moments make me wish to be a promoter for a deodorant, who is giving away samples. I’ve no deodorant in my hand, but all my stuff I want to buy. And of course, I’m in a hurry. So, I have to endure this pain even though I’m hiding my nose under my jacket.
The almost retarded guy behind me is grinning like a sun and the mother with her screaming kid also doesn’t care. And the lady behind me doesn’t reveal any move except for when she’s shuffling forward to the checkout. Fortunately, she doesn’t lift up her arms. It’s her who is spreading this scent. I survive and I reach the exit of the supermarket.
What is even worse than this scent is the scent of feces. This appears rarely, but when it does, it does it at full tilt.
Lately in the S-Bahn. I was so happy that I could save a seat. I can’t explain why the guy next to me only wore a white cotton shirt in February. When he lifted up his arms to yawn, the scent hit my nose and cut it like a knife. He didn’t smell like sweat, but like an old rag. Very unpleasant. The train was crowded; people started to stack in the aisle and hang on to the poles and loops above. I didn’t think of the Loveparade, but of the “arm parade” … without techno, but with scent.
I always wear a perfumed scarf and I regularly practice mouth breathing, because the next trip with the armpit parade is coming soon….
Image Source: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achsel#mediaviewer/Datei:Armpit_by_David_Shankbone.jpg Photo by David Shankbone
