Please don’t. Nobody is digging it… except you.
Thanks,
ROTP
—ReturnOfThePrick
This article appears in Sep 17-23, 2009.
Dear people who wear patchouli or other over powering odors,
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Speak for yourself! I love the smell of patchouli, I find it very sexy on a woman – way better than those stinky fake perfumes. That’s just me though.
Amen! I’ve got some patchouli massage oil at home and every time I smell patchouli on a girl… well… you guys get the idea. 😉
The smell of patchouli is the smell of me not taking you seriously.
I always assume a person has doused themself in patchouli because they haven’t taken the time to bathe.
what the hell is patchouli sounds like a disease
I don’t mind it when it isn’t overpowering (It’s better than, say, Axe), but it sort of smells like a hamster cage.
I’m not a fan of any scent that transcends past the boundries of one’s personal space (hence the title “… or other overpowering odors”). The difference between “those stinky fake perfumes” and patchouli is that the former is alcohol based while the latter is oil based. While I’m a fan of neither, the magic of the alcohol based scents is that they evaporate at a faster rate than oil based ones. This means less residue. This means less chance that an innocent passerby will get said imposing smell on themselves from using a door handle. Oil, on the other hand, is a little more resiliant. It takes hot soap and water and a little extra scrubbing to wash off oil… Why should anyone have to be subjected to another’s (scent)?
One of the better descriptions from the Urban Dictionary:(http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=patchouli)
4. Patchouli
An annoying stank masking scent (commonly a scented oil) that subliminally causes internal cringing for members of the bathing community…A.K.A. – “Pseudo Bath”, “Trustafarian Tramp Serum”, “Hippie Stink” , “Soap Substitute”, “Dopehead Dry-Clean”, “Coward Shower”, “Dank Stank”, “Wanker-stank”, “Hygiene Hi-jinks”, “Greatful Dread”, “Granola Grout”, “Magnolia Mud-flap”, “Drag-rat Sludge Fudge” …Did I miss one?
“There goes another Trustafarian Granola. That patchouli scent almost ALWAYS precedes pretentious hygienic procrastination and self-righteous drivel !”
A powering odor?
I’d wear a shitload of patchouli if it makes you powerful. I had no idea!
“Increase my killing power eh?…I’ll do it!”
I hate that smell…the hamster cage comment was dead on. As a guy I find it a huge turnoff when a chick wears it.
Blue Sugar, best smell ever
Ew, no, gotta say I have never liked the smell of patchouli oil.
There is also a certain oily-almost-lemon-y smell in citronella, as well as a certain plant, “lemon balm” I think it is called that I have always found unpleasant.
So, as much as certain things associated with patchouli oil can indeed be fun, I am casting my vote for “dislike” on this one.
I rather enjoy patchouli sometimes, but most people who use it seem unaware that a little goes a long way. Essential oils are far too pungent to be used excessively, and actually shouldn’t even be applied directly to skin unless greatly diluted. My dad wears patchouli (which probably contributes to my fondness for it) but he just puts a little dab on his sweater or coat sleeve. You don’t really smell it unless you get right up close, which I think is a good rule of thumb for any scent. Your scent should not precede your arrival, or linger after you’re gone.
Just thought of one scent even better than patchouli: lavender! I really can’t understand this hate for patchouli though. Ohh well, to each his/her own.
I find it a bit funny (but can also understand) that here in Nova Scotia we have a “no scents” policy, yet there’s nothing stopping some lazy, greasy bum who hasn’t showered in a few weeks and reeks of body odour, piss, shit, and God knows what else from going anywhere in public, including parks, malls, stores, doctor’s offices, buses (the worst I think, especially if they end up sitting by you), etc. If he dared to put on some cologne though… look out!
The smell of the Bum – no matter how foul it is – is still hypo-allergenic, since the smells emitting from him/her are unrefined and reasonably organic. And yes, their smell can linger on, but let me tell you, that corner by Tony’s pizza shop on Robie? … it’s been going on two and a half years since it was aptly named patchouli corner by me and my significant other.
Nice try though, Qrstuvwxyz…
Aaah patchouli. I can never smell you again without thinking of rancid armpit thanks to NSCAD hippies and psuedo-vegans.
Cranky, that was very funny = )
Patchouli does have a very unique smell. I thought of fresh turned soil somewhere in the vicinity of the woods when I first smelled it. I don’t think that I would like to wipe it on my neck though. I guess it is a love or hate smell–like lavender. Although I like the word lavender, I can barely tolerate the smell–it smells like insect repellent to me. I wonder if it was ever used for this purpose?
Hey, I’m hardly a hippy, but I just can’t get enough of that smell of patchouli and lavender! Way better than, say stinky farts or feces-stained, urine-soaked underwear that hasn’t been washed in two weeks. Just my opinion though of course and to each their own, but my point being there are worse smells.
From Wikipedia: “An infusion of lavender is claimed to soothe and heal insect bites. Bunches of lavender are also said to repel insects.”
Also: “Essential oil of lavender has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. It was used in hospitals during WWI to disinfect floors and walls. If applied to the temples, lavender oil is said to soothe headaches. Lavender is frequently used as an aid to sleep and relaxation.”
This stuff is fucking great! I think it just suffers from a bit of a bad reputation thanks to NSCADers / hippies.
i happened to be on a bus today,and whatever the hell it was, almost gagged me. now i don’t mind the smell of something rotting for a few days, but this shit just gave me the heaves.and the woman wearing it,wasn’t young,and she wasn’t old, about 40.this stuff must be sold by the fucking drum,that they just jump in, then rush to get a bus.give others a break for christ’s sake. if you want to smell like a perfume or deoderant factory, do so, but stay the fuck away from other people. you know who you are too. think before you take a swim in this shit,next time.
Between the heavy perfumes, heavy lack of sanitation, and Upper Water St, I’ve had to master the art of not breathing through my nose so much.
In the 90’s wearing patchouli was a pretty sure sign of belonging to the lesbian crowd. When combined with the plaid backwoods dinner jacket it was guaranteed.
The plus side was you always knew where to find the best smoke as soon as you walked in the room.
Who wants to start about tea tree oil?
I lived in a house with two brutish lesbians one summer and between the BO and the cover up scents (my first experience with patchouli, actually), they rendered half of the house a biohazard zone.
I probably wouldn’t find it unpleasant had this introduction been under different circumstances, but every time I smell it I picture those two porkers and my stomach curdles.
Patchouli’s my favorite!
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm…patchouli!!!!