this post was submitted on 03 May 2022
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I don't use deoderant; I don't feel the difference and I never really cared much about my smell; but my parent keeps bringing it up and it's annoying.

Also, what's wrong with smell? Human smells differ anyway.

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[–] [email protected] 103 points 2 years ago (27 children)

Your parent keep bringing it up because your smell is offensive. They're trying to help you learn the things that will help you get a job, or have friends, or go on dates. In short, they're being a parent. Help them help you.

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[–] [email protected] 45 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Smelling nice or even neutral isn't something to benefit you, its so everyone else doesn't have to experience disgusting and gross smells in public. Your parents are trying to help you not be rude to them and other people, listen to them.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 2 years ago

Exactly what I was going to point out. You might not mind your own smell, but other certainly will, and deodorant can be a good way to mitigate that problem.

[–] [email protected] 42 points 2 years ago

It can be easy to be nose-blind to your own smell, trust me its easy to stink enough to be offensive to others but not notice yourself.

They're doing you a favor by letting you know. Just take the extra moment and put some on in the morning. Just don't overdo it and douse yourself in body spray; too much body spray is nasty too.

[–] [email protected] 27 points 2 years ago (1 children)

So, from one autistic person to another… smells can be rude.

Smells are a sensory thing for me. There’s a person in my building who sweats too much. His stink is everywhere and it causes me to gag.

It’s an evolutionary thing to generally be okay with our own personal smells, because it wouldn’t be helpful if we gagged at our own stink all the time (this is why the smell of our own poop usually doesn’t bother us. Also, I think mothers usually aren’t as bothered by the smell of their own baby’s poop for similar reasons). But someone else’s stink can tell us they’re unhygienic or sick.

You don’t need to smell like roses… you just need to not stink. There are unscented deodorants. I personally currently use apple cider vinegar as a natural deodorant. Although I’m starting to miss the convenience of regular deodorant.

I can’t tell you what to do… if you want to stink, stink. I’m just explaining why people like deodorant.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 years ago

Oh yeah. Sometimes its better to use deodorant to reduce distraction.

[–] [email protected] 23 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Yes, of course. Its not about "feeling different" its about calming down all the bacteria in your under arms that make offensive odors. You might not care, but the people around you can clearly notice the odor coming off of you. Even if you're a clean person, having odors like that makes you come off as a dirty or unhygienic person.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 years ago

Yep. It’s your your body that smells, it’s the bacteria living on your skin and feeding on your sweat. Maybe this fact will make you wear deodorant.

[–] [email protected] 22 points 2 years ago

Yes please wear deodorant especially if people are complaining about your smell.

[–] [email protected] 15 points 2 years ago

We didn't need deoderant when we wandered about the open savanna, but if you're living with a bunch of other apes, in a cramped city, humans get smelly, so we all need to bathe regularly, and if you're still a bit swetty, stick something else on.

[–] [email protected] 14 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (5 children)

If I'm around people, yes. If I'm just at home, no. I shower usually every 1-2 days but even so, I mostly wear deodorant when I'm going to be around people because I think it's the considerate thing to do. Also as another user said, body odor often is correlated with hydration, or lack thereof. So drink water (pee should be clear) and that will help.

It's one of those things where I think it just boils down to being considerate of others, and realizing that using deodorant is a pretty small measure to take in order to prevent creating an unpleasant experience for other people.

This thread's kind of depressing to read. Come on people-- this is basic hygiene/consideration, it's not rocket science. Brush your teeth (and tongue) when you wake up and before you go to sleep. Shower every 1-2 days (use soap everywhere below your face), and wear deodorant if you're going to be around people especially indoors.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I've actually read that using soap everywhere actually might be harming our skin barrier if showering every day. It seems soap on the armpits, genitals, and any stinky parts are the only place you should wash daily.

The article in question: https://web.archive.org/web/20220121065824/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/25/magazine/my-no-soap-no-shampoo-bacteria-rich-hygiene-experiment.html

Also, haven't read it yet, but "The Joy of Sweat" by Sarah Everts seems like a good look at sweat.

But also, yeah use deodorant around other people. I'd suggest something unscented because really fragrant smells can be just as aggressively stinky (in the opposite way) as natural sweat.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 years ago (3 children)

I read a book on the topic and ever since I've only washed my stinky bits every 2-3 days. You can overwash, and it does do damage to your skin barrier. Sorry, I know your post was from weeks ago but this is knowledge everyone should know.

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[–] [email protected] 10 points 2 years ago

Yes. It is very important otherwise people might get very uncomfortable being around you. That creates barriers when making friends, getting jobs, etc. One other thing - deoderant is not the same as antiperspirant and vice versa. Use both.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 2 years ago (3 children)

Is this a liberal trying to make us look bad lmao? I mean really?

[–] [email protected] 10 points 2 years ago

I think it's best not to worry about what people think.

Except with body odor. When people say you stink, care about what they think.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 years ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 years ago

sorry, paranoia is a good friend of ours

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 years ago

I mean, let's not pretend this isn't an actual problem. It happens to conservatives, it happens to liberals and it happens to leftists. It's one of those things where I think it shouldn't be met with ridicule or disbelief, but instead it should result in an honest discussion.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 2 years ago

I do, I shower almost every day but in some situations I wouldn't feel comfortable without it. I use the sensitive one that pretty much doesn't do much ^^

[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 years ago

I use deodorant if I'm going to meet other people of if it's hot outside.

But there are too many people trying to use deodorant to hide the fact that they don't shower regularly.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 years ago

Yes, its very important, but try to keep the deodorant away from industrial smells.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

I don’t wear deodorant on the weekends, but I do when I go to work. Unless you’re going to start living outside, you should probably find a deodorant that works for you and start using it. If someone is telling you that you smell bad, especially someone who cares about you, then take there advice and do something about it.

You say you don’t really care about your smell, but your family obviously do. Since you don’t care just start using some every day. It makes a world of difference and you don’t even have to use that much.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 years ago

sth that hasn't been written.

Body odors are correlated with your hydration.

Drink enough water and you might not even need deodorant.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 years ago

I use it very seldom when I am a bit sweated, have to go somewhere important but don't have the time to shower. A chemical shower as we call it 😁

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

Yes I use deodorant

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 years ago

Yes and i wash regularly

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I have sensitive skin and can't stand artificial scents, they give me a brutal headache.

When I get funky I dust my pits with baking soda. It erases smells instead of "putting lipstick on the pig". Wear a white shirt though, it'll turn your pits white.

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Why am I not surprised that this type of thread would be on a reddit alternative website HAHAHA

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 years ago (2 children)

Unless you smell profusely, a daily shower should usually suffice

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I disagree, especially if exercising (incidentally or on purpose).

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 years ago

Sure, if you sweat & smell more than usual, one more shower is needed

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