Why do people wear too much cologne / perfume?

Question

Are they trying to cover up odor, do they just not have very good sense of smell?

I just walked by a conference room in my office and the scent was sooooo obnoxious!

Do you tell the person?

A manager in my company was allergic to cologne and told an employee that used a lot of cologne to please stop. This may be a good way to get the point across!!!

Answer 1

I have been a restaurant manager for many years and it's disturbing how often I run into this problem. The offender needs to be told, but with tact. Pull them aside and tell him/her that there is such a thing as too much. Then let them know how much is a correct amount of cologne to wear. Wherever they put the cologne, they should limit themselves to three sprays or dabs.

Answer 2

Many times after you wear a fragrance for awhile, your nose is so used to the scent you become immune to the smell. The problem is, because they can no longer smell it...they don't think anyone else can either so they overspray...which leads to overkill. Thats why if you wear cologne everyday, you should change up the fragrance to avoid this problem...and remember, a little goes a long way!

Answer 3

Some people just naturally apply too much (yuck!) Still others develop an insensitivity to the scent that they've used for so long. Sometimes they can no longer tell how much they've applied. As for me....when it doubt, don't wear cologne/perfume!

Answer 4

Maybe they forgot to take a shower the night before. Oh and I'm sure the manager in your company wasn't really allergic to the cologne...he/she was lying cuz that is the only way to tell people anything without hurting them!!!

Answer 5

Some people have a terrible sense of smell and have no idea that they've put on too much. Then there are some people that just like to bathe in it. (Body wash, body lotion, powder, and top it off with perfume. TOO MUCH!)

The thing you have to take into consideration is...do you like cologne? If so, it really might be too strong in your office. If you DON'T like it, then maybe it's not too strong, but since you don't like it, it's just too strong for you, even though it's a normal amount? idk

Answer 6

I think all of us are sensitive to NOT wanting others to detect our body odor. Some people are particularly sensitive to this and tend to overcompensate, thereby creating the problem to which you allude.

I think you can tell a person this provided, (a) it is a friend, (b) you know that person respects you and your views, and (c) you do so in a gentle, private way so as to not embarrass them in front of others.

Answer 7

I used to work at a company where one of the woman used to bathe in her perfume. You could smell her way before you seen her.

I think it's air pollution myself.

I think what happens is that they are so accustomed to the smell that they don't smell it themselves. They don't realize they are choking everyone around them.

If you don't want to tell them outright, leave them an anonymous note.

Answer 8

I know what you mean. It can be overpowering even out on the street. I think it really comes down to bad mothers not telling the girl what is and is not acceptable.

Heavy perfume use is as offensive to a lot of people as smoking it also posses a real risk to asthmatics and others with breathing problems or even mild allergies. These people are being entirely inconsiderate to others so why not tell them they stink?

They should be reported to management to deal with.

Answer 9

Tell the offender that you are alllergic to the strong scent.

Answer 10

I don't know why those people do it but apparently they have never heard the saying " a little dab will do ya." Yes I usually will say something, but I try to be nice about it. :)