Other Races?

Question

Ok, I am not doing this to sound racist..(although I'm sure it will...which if it is true I need to reevaluate myself.) Anway...do you think that differant races have different smells? Like..does an african american smell differance from an asian american and do they both smell differant from a native american or caucasion american. My friend (who is asian) says they do..but....I don't think that is PC. Your thoughts?

Answer 1

First you not being racist ,you just want to know,People become racist when they start using the n-word, when they frown at another race etc. Your question is valid,people do have scents,odours some more pronounced than others. I remember an Asian friend who smelled like green pepper,and he used to say I smell like rice!

But one thing for sure is you get to know these smells if you sniff hard,otherwise they aint that pronounced unless if there is poor hygience or a skin disorder going on!

How do you smell?

Answer 2

I've seen this sort of comment in real life and on the internet over and over. It's true people smell, it's true people have distinct smells, it's completely true that everyone has there own smell, it's true that people often assume that one culture has a certain smell.

What people fail to realize is the make up of that smell. Sometimes the smell could be caused by there surroundings. Have you ever had a friend work in a dump site or recycling center? I promise you he/she will smell exactly the same as the people they work with by the end of the shift. ( regardless of there race or culture. ) Simply the type of food they cook. I know when I when into my indian's friends home he and the house always smelled like currie. ( not meant to offend merely coinisedence )

I rarely see this question in relation to White people. Most often because the general consense is that they don't smell. ( but as well all educated people know that's bull ) The fact is that people invented perfumes and cologns to prevent such smells.
Simply changing your diet could cause you to change in smell. Have you or known of anyone who always ate garlic? I remember eating garlic for a week and evertime I ran my fingers through my hair it smelled just like garlic. Even after a bath.There are smells associated with cutlures such as Currie, Mole ( spanish dish ), and Apple Pie.

So in conclusion, There is no racial smell or cultural smell when it comes to bodies.

Answer 3

I don't think it's race either. If there is a noticable difference between groups, I think it's cultural things. For example, some cultures do not believe in using deodorant or perfume. Others have herbs and spices in their foods and we all know that some spices, like garlic, will literally come out of your pores. Other things play an influence like incense or candles routinely burned at home or specific hair or hygiene products used. You may think it's in their genes, but it's really environment.

And, no, I don't think you're racist for asking an honest AND tactful question.

Answer 4

I would say "race" is indeed a factor, though only one of many, more important ones--there are some slight variations in the sweat glands between people of different ethnic backgrounds that, say, may favor the breeding of one type of bacteria over another (B.O. is largely caused by bacteria making themselves at home in your sweat). But a more important factor is diet, which varies from region to region; the sweat of a guy (regardless of what "race" he hails from) who eats the typical diet of a person who lives in China will have sweat of a slightly different composition than someone whose diet resembles a Middle Easterner's diet. Again, this has to do not just with the basic "scent" of one's body, but what B.O. causing bacteria prefers one's particular brand of sweat.

Answer 5

Well I agree that everyone has their own smell but maybe we associate a certain smell with a certain smell because of what they eat?... See maybe we would associate the smell of egg rolls or fried food with an asian person because that's what they cook a lot ...(not just egg rolls but the smell of oil)..or curry with an Indian person? Well that's my theory...

Answer 6

some people are more sensitive to smell than others, and they may be able to pick up on subtle differences in people's scents. There is a difference in scent in most people, it has more to do with diet than race though.

Answer 7

Different people have different smells period.. I doubt that any particular race have a similar smell... I think it's just the person and not the race...

Answer 8

I know that people from india dont use deoderant, so theres a different smell,but my theory is that it deals with the type of food they cook and that just rubs off on them. since different cultures have certain foods, then each culture has different scents.

Answer 9

I think it is possible since different skin would equal different smells. I also think this goes for all people period. Smell the human difference.

Answer 10

Race has nothing to do with someones smell!! Its all about their diet, hygiene, and health.. Your friend needs to get the facts before giving incorrect information..