Why do some cultures encourage awful-smelling armpits?

Question

I've visited 53 countries in my lifetime, and lived in Africa for six years where together with the local people we had limited access to regular bathing. It didn't bother me at all. Nothing has ever really struck me as too hard to understand, except the armpit smell cultivated by men in one region of the world. I don't know if it is religion or culture which allows them to walk around with an odour so potent that it can almost knock a person over. I have lived in countries that don't use deodorant, and have not been bothered by it. I sometimes will go on camping trips where I don't use deodorant, that's no big deal. But there are times when I literally cannot breathe and must leave the area quickly because the smell of these persons is almost like they have never washed their armpits since birth, and I am honestly confused and very curious as to the reason a person would walk around basically in a cloud of foul-smelling odour.

Answer 1

Remember that armpits emit sexual pheremones that we used centuries ago to base our attraction off. Now with odor eaters and Febreeze being sprayed everywhere the smell is no longer pleasing.

Still, there are many cultures that like the smell. Pakistani women do not wear deodorant because they think men like it. I don't know if this is true or not but I hate the smell.

Answer 2

I'm wondering if it's encouraged or just not discouraged. If it's an area where people generally bathe less, this smell will quickly build into a reeking. It could also be the entire body emiting that odor, rather than just the armpits, although deodorant will certainly help.

And there are people who emit a strong BO no matter what they do. I've run into a few who made me cover my face, in a society that practices daily, or at least regular bathing.

Answer 3

it's hard to imagine hygiene are only observe by modern civilization. Some culture just never progress (if you can call it that) to the point of prioritising personal hygiene as an important social agenda.

Answer 4

They just like to smell bad