Perfume, smoking, and cruising

[RollieUK]

Unfortunately, this is a problem in both directions. We have some employees who won't go to see Canadian clients with scent free offices, particularly in the warm summer months. While there are no added chemical and artificial scents, there are definitely "scents" there. I suppose you get used to it, but we're fortunate to be able to use teleconferencing during the hottest months.

 

Why is not being able to wear scent in hot weather a problem for these employees? Surely, with proper personal hygiene, scents should not be needed.

 

I never can understand why people feel the need to wear perfume :confused:

Edited February 25, 2014 by RollieUK

[POA1]

Why is not being able to wear scent in hot weather a problem for these employees? Surely, with proper personal hygiene, scents should not be needed.

 

I never can understand why people feel the need to wear perfume :confused:

 

Perhaps I committed the error of stating the problem too delicately. During the summer, some of these scent free workplaces smell strongly of body odor. Our employees have nothing to do with it. There's a noticeable funk to a couple of client offices.

 

Please don't argue the point, because it's wrong to say that you can be bothered by odors and other people cannot. When you have to spend all day in a small conference room with some "ripe" people who are strongly, yet completely naturally scented, it can be challenging.

 

Like I said before, we use teleconferencing as much as possible in the summer months. Our underarm deodorant doesn't bother the clients, and their underarms don't bother us. It's a win for everyone. Besides, we can schedule extra in-person meetings December through March. I'm not implying that it's a universal problem, but one "Stinky Bob" or "Smelly Samantha" can ruin a day in a warm conference room.

[sherilyn70]

Perhaps I committed the error of stating the problem too delicately. During the summer, some of these scent free workplaces smell strongly of body odor. Our employees have nothing to do with it. There's a noticeable funk to a couple of client offices.

 

and here is where the major problem lies... people seem to think that perfumes are intended to cover scents such as body odor. In this day and age there is no reason why you need a scented product or perfume to reduce body odor. There are plenty of non perfumed body washes, soaps, deodorants and other various grooming supplies out there that do a fine job without using perfume. You are talking about two different issues when talking about heavy scents and people with BO.

 

I have sensitivities to scents as well, they cause extreme headaches and nausea for me. The cancer hospital I go to has a no scent policy and they do not use anything scented as well for cleaning or in the laundry because so many of us are affected by these issues. Most people with asthma or other lung issues have problems with heavy or artificial scents from my personal experience.

[RJ2002]

I also prefer that people refrain from wearing perfumes and colognes, especially in a dining environment, where the scents can overpower food aromas and tastes.

 

Interestingly enough, here in Las Vegas, many of the major casinos inject a light fragrance in their air conditioning systems. I suspect it is to counteract the cigarette smoke.

[chrispb]

okay, i'm ready to be educated. what did women or men do in the past century -- on buses, trains, planes, ships? did they all suffer from scent allergies? did they sneeze uncontrolled? did they suffer headaches? did they refuse to fly, or sail, or take a train because of it? did they just stay at home? and how about vacations by car? weren't there fumes? were they all hacking by the side of the road at those little picnic tables? were the kids also sick and vomiting? hmmmmm. i don't know; i never had these problems, but that is just me. help, i need enlightenment.

 

You have a point. I've known for years about nut allergies but where are all these other allergies coming from???

 

I don't agree about laws being made to make workplaces and elsewhere perfume free - we have a nanny state here in the UK but not quite so bad as Canada and some US states. What worries me is that what starts over there, often arrives here.

 

If it's known that someone you either work with or sharing a dinner table on a cruise, then it's courtesy (and common sense) not to wear perfume once you're made aware of it.

 

Banning is far too extreme and not something governments should be involving themselves in. Perhaps they should concentrate on banning cannabis and other substances - or is that too difficult for them? (We all know the answer to that!)

Edited February 25, 2014 by chrispb

[Clarabella_Baby]

I also prefer that people refrain from wearing perfumes and colognes, especially in a dining environment, where the scents can overpower food aromas and tastes.

 

Interestingly enough, here in Las Vegas, many of the major casinos inject a light fragrance in their air conditioning systems. I suspect it is to counteract the cigarette smoke.

 

Yes I have noticed this. My favorite hotel does this I'm sure. Because when I get home from my vacation, the inside of my suitcase smells like the casino ......and cigarette smoke. ;);)

[Sow There]

and here is where the major problem lies... people seem to think that perfumes are intended to cover scents such as body odor...

 

Not necessarily. It's my experience that scents used to cover up body odor not only don't cover up body odor but also are so strong that the scents are competing with the body odor for attention.

[1of4]

 

I don't agree about laws being made to make workplaces and elsewhere perfume free - we have a nanny state here in the UK but not quite so bad as Canada and some US states. What worries me is that what starts over there, often arrives here.

 

If it's known that someone you either work with or sharing a dinner table on a cruise, then it's courtesy (and common sense) not to wear perfume once you're made aware of it.

 

Banning is far too extreme and not something governments should be involving themselves in. Perhaps they should concentrate on banning cannabis and other substances - or is that too difficult for them? (We all know the answer to that!)

 

Speaking for Canada only, there are no laws. Some workplaces, especially ones in health care, have POLICIES. No Federal or Provincial legislation exists so businesses have taken it upon themselves to develop policies as some people lack the judgements / courtesy you assume most have. Fear not.

[Copper10-8]

Speaking for Canada only, there are no laws. Some workplaces, especially ones in health care, have POLICIES. No Federal or Provincial legislation exists so businesses have taken it upon themselves to develop policies as some people lack the judgements / courtesy you assume most have. Fear not.

 

So the RCMP, the OPP, the Surete de Quebec and/or any other law enforcement agencies aren't called when someone whose l'Eau de parfum is bothering other folks in an office is refusing to leave?

[Sir PMP]

It sounds like that most of these folks should stay away from people....

[richard1s]

It sounds like that most of these folks should stay away from people....

 

How very true, it is totally ludicrous - it would have made a great Seinfeld episode.

[Katie333]

I am glad to not have this sensitivity, but have definitely run across scenarios aboard cruise ships (in particular) where an overdose of perfume was evident. To be honest, I prefer fresh scents (citrus based) and many perfumes seemingly prefered by the older generation are much heavier. I include my dear mother in this group unfortunately. My DH and I have literally gone running out of an elevator gasping for air.

 

My workplace has a scent free policy in some of our locations. It's not company-wide and tends to be based on specific locations where there is at least one employee with sensitivities. My colleagues tend to be fairly polite and understanding about these scenarios, that even without a law, from what I can tell, the rules get followed.

 

Also it while I'm sure it depends on the degree of the sensitivity in many cases at my workplace, as long as you don't wear perfume or use heavily scented lotions/shampoos, it doesn't cause an issue (meaning clothes washed in scented detergent aren't an issue, nor are mildly scented shampoos etc).

[Shih-tzu]

Bottom line people, if you must put perfume on - if you can smell it, it is too strong. A little dab will do ya.

 

I have a niece who wears heavy perfume - I have mentioned it a couple of times to her. She said "Really?? I can't smell it so I put on a little more just a bit ago..." I think people who wear scents do become so used to it that they don't realize how "scented" they really are.

 

One thing that some of us were discussing at lunch the other day..... we have noticed that over the years since our work places, etc have all gone scent free (here in Canada) that once we are around someone wearing scented products we notice it more than we used to. (I also find it ironic that many of our local pharmacies have their perfume and cosmetic counters at the entrance to the store which people with allergies must walk through to get to where they have to get their prescriptions...:confused:

 

I always try to be mindful that a product I use could bother someone else - right down to unscented dryer sheets (I love the smell of the scented ones but am mindful that the scent on my clothing could bother someone else).

[Shih-tzu]

(meant to edit above post - but won't let me) - When I say our work places have gone scent free, I was referring to the group of us that were talking - we work in various Government offices that serves the public so we are scent (or very low-scent) free. Didn't want a mis-understanding there - sorry.

[cruise_bunnies]

I was reminded of this thread when I was looking through my stash of products. I had received a hand/nail cream a while back as a gift, so decided to put it to use. OMG, I almost knocked myself out with the smell. The Spanish product was heavily scented. This one is for at home use, when I don't have to leave soon, only. Ugh.

[G&T Cruisers]

This is a hard subject to make people under stand that this is a real allergy and how it affects those who are afflicted with it.My wife developed an allergy to scents later in life which has changed everything.We still love to go on cruises and go out,but we have to be careful where we go and who will make her sick.We had to change to all unscented products and it is great that they don't use any heavy scented products on the ships.Some one posted that it is the chemicals in perfume that holds the scent is what causes the allergy and they are right.We are not saying that people should not have the choice to where their favourite perfume just don't slather it on,I do not suffer from this but since my wife has had this I see how it affects her.We always get a balcony cabin so there is a safe place to retreat to when the scents get really bad,I just want people to understand and be mindful of others around them.

[Jean1946]

My husband makes our unscented oatmeal soap and we take it wherever we go. I hate the smelly soaps. Do not wear perfume unless I take an allergy pill an hour before I put it on. I do use unscented detergent and will get a horrible headache from a lot of different smells. Gas, oil, asphalt, just to name a couple (or 3). I do not have severe allergies and do not let the ones I have deter me from travelling.

[IRL_Joanie]

Someone asked earlier in this thread what happened back in the day before all these allergies started coming to the attention of the public. Or words to that effect.

 

The basic answer is:

 

PEOPLE DIED. And when they died from severe anaphylaxis (allergic reaction) it was not an easy death:(

 

Being unable to breath because your throat swells shut and no one knowing what to do....... I am thankful that today we know about allergies and what to do.

 

Joanie

[kazu]

Interesting enough - yes, our doctors' offices, hospitals, etc. here are all 'scent free'.=

 

I worked with a lady who did have a perfume problem. I didn't know. My first day at work with her I heard about it and immediately offered to wash off my "little dab will do you". She didn't even know I was wearing it and had no problem with my eau de choice.

 

She actually loves it but is allergic to most. Her husband later approached me to ask the name so he could get it for her.

 

So despite her severe allergy (and it was severe) it appears certain perfumes worn nicely do not cause issues. I suspect it is the more natural, expensive ones (as mine was).

 

these days though with the worries that abound it just seems we can't wear it anymore and I don't sadly.

[innlady1]

We lost an 8 month old Norwich Terrier puppy who swallowed a bee - playfully jumping at it - in August '12 at our inn. Anaphylactic shock. We will remember that day as long as we live. We tried to save her...$5,000 later...and a lot of tears...we lost her. Allergies of any kind are very scary.