How to Handle the Smell of Strong Perfume in an Enclosed Car
Perfume-too much is a problem
Can there be anything worse than being next to someone who is wearing a strong perfume and not having the ability to move to a comfortable distance? Since we live in a multicultural society what is normal for one group of people is completely offensive to another. And, with so many people who have allergy problems, it seems that the wearer of a heavy dose of fragrance is just being rude, or very ignorant, about the needs of those people around her. If you were enclosed in a small car with an overbearing perfume wearer, how would you handle the situation?
Solution #1: Be direct
Solution #1 seems the most obvious: communicate to the perfume wearer that you are allergic to strong perfumes. Ask if there is anyway she can refrain from repeating this offense, if there is any possibility that you will be driving with her again.
Explain that for health reasons you cannot be in a small, enclosed area without the offensive smell affecting you adversely. If your companion is sensitive she will apologize, and perhaps even offer to remove the offensive fragrance.
However, if your driving companion is insensitive to the needs of others, or has a warped sense of what is fashionable, then you may have to proceed to other solutions.
Solution #2-Control your window
Solution #2 seems the best one for immediate relief: open the windows and let the air circulate.
Some people have allergic reactions, i.e. rashes, headaches or even migraines, caused by smells they are sensitive to. If you are one of these people it is imperative that you get the problem nipped in the bud before it goes on too long, resulting in a migraine or severe headache.
If it is a scorching day, turn the air conditioner on full blast-your friend may get the message indirectly. If it is a sunny, spring day, open all the windows. If it's raining, open only her window and hope the water hits her in all the right places.
Solution #3 - Remove the offending smell
Sure, it is rare that anyone is traveling with a wash cloth, however, many people do travel with sanitary wipes for their hands; others always have a bottle of water, and perhaps, a kleenex in their glove compartment. Offer it to the offending passenger as an emergency tactic. Hopefully, it won't sever the relationship.
If she refuses to use it, due to her shock that not everyone near her finds her perfume as enchanting as she does, accidentally slam on the brakes and spill your open bottle of water on her. If she is driving however, just throw a couple of squirts her way as you wiggle around in your seat-apologize later.
Solution #4-for the martyrs
For those who are too kindhearted to say anything, or to act on their own defense, grab your handkerchief or kleenex and put it up to your nose to block the smell. Breathe slowly through your mouth blocking the air passage going into your nasal passages-this can be done by pressing the tongue against the roof of the mouth.
Every once in a while give a slight, unnoticeable wave of the kleenex in front of your face to keep the air moving.
If you have no kleenex or kerchief use a piece of sleeve, as if you are rubbing your nose, or merely place your hand delicately up to your nose and give a slight finger jiggle. By no means do you want to draw attention to your problem so, whatever you do, be discreet. That means: no pinching the nose in a 'peeyoo' motion.
Good luck to all.
Please take this poll
Do you have a sensitivity to perfume?
Comments
The very second that I smell pachouli oil, my throat begins to close up and I start gagging. I have to immediately remove myself. I do not know how it is possible to walk around all day with such an offensive odor. It smells like a land fill on a hot, humid day!
Love these tips!
Thanks For This!! :D a big thanks or you (y)
I can't stand it! too much perfume, on me or others makes me gag! if Its on me then I use alcohol hand wash works a treat, if its on others I just try to keep away or at least put something over my mouth. It gives me terrible heart burn! lol!
Great article and advice. To me being subjected to someone's smelly perfume is like being subjected to second hand smoke. Perfume wearers are not only unintentionally endangering their health but those around them.
I have recently been reading about perfume and how toxic it is to everybody. Apparently, they have tested some of the most popular brands and found over a dozen chemicals that were not stated on the ingredient list, they are allowed to do this because of "trade secrets". These chemicals are absorbed through skin and enhaled. They are hormone disrupters and especially dangerous to women and their babies.
Thanks, shared and voted up.
Great hub, very useful. I start to wheeze with strong perfumes and so I suffer a lot with people who wear way too much perfume!! Specially in the lifts!
Fine hub! Though I'm not allergic to perfumes, I can't stand their strong smell. I certainly know how to cope with the offender better now. Lol!
Voted up.
What a great hub Denise. I am very sensitive to certain smells and this is a real nuisance at times, particularly within an enclesed space.
If I could change your poll, I would have it say this:
(A) I am a man and am very sensitive to perfume.
(B) I am a man and not sensitive to strong perfume.
(C) I am a man and am sensitive to certain fragrances only.
(D) I am a woman and am very sensitive to perfume.
(E) I am a woman and not sensitive to strong perfume.
(F) I am a woman and am sensitive to certain fragrances only.
I have a theory that option (D) will farrrrrrr outweigh option (A). But again, I'm just theorizing. On that note, I like a woman that has a strong scent:-)
There were trips to the Port Authority in New York that I could only wish that I only had someone's perfume to contend with.
While having a perfume problem in a car is easier to control, a bus trip has very limited options and more people to piss off. On the one hand, there are people who have put on a moderate amount of perfume or aftershave and the timing of waiting for it to weaken a touch is understandable. Plus, as I said, options are limited on a bus - and New Yorkers and New Jersey-ans are hearty breeds.
No, the real problem for bus passengers is the exact opposite of too much perfume - it's either none or not enough. When you have to spend a hour and a half summer commute with someone who is sporting Eau de Armpit, politeness and civility give way to eye watering and nausea.
Voted Up.
Very informative hub and I love your tips. Thanks for writing and share with us. Voted up!
Prasetio
Solution #5 RUN :) While I have not been in a car with strong scented perfumes, I have been in elevators and got off of the nearest floor...cheers
This must be a terrible situation to be stuck in. Many people are allergic to scents nowadays.
I think most of us would do number 3. LOL! But sometimes it's good to let the person know honestly that they're wearing an offensive smell, so that they don't overdo it in future. Thanks for sharing!! Passing it on.
Hi, Denise. This actually brings back a memory for me from over twenty years ago. I was a (very!) young man working in a small bank branch in my home town. There was a customer came in almost every day, an extremely attractive young woman, whom I simply could not attend to. Literally - even through the security screens - the moment she walked in the door, my eyes began to stream so much I virtually couldn't see, simply because of the overwhelming scent of her perfume. I was the only male working in the branch but even the largely older female staff agreed it was excessive and when they saw her coming in, they used to tell me to pretend I needed a bathroom break. I did! I'm not sure how I could have used your tips in those circumstances but I would certainly have tried to adapt them :)
I don't have a problem but have freinds who have alergies, and even anyone suffering from Asthma can find this a big problem.
You have offered some very helpful suggestions, I must admit my favourite was the 'rainy day' solution, that had me smiling.
Most helpful points mentioned here thanks
I have asthmatic friends and family members and so never wear perfume. Certani perfumes even seem to bother me. These are good suggestions, although it would be better if more people were educated on this common problem. Great Hub!
You know Denise sometimes I don't mind it you can fart and no one will ever know..yeah? great hub as per usual my friend :)
I have a problem with strong perfume even in a larger, more open room. I'm not so much allergic, but I find it unpleasant. I think that before I got into a car with someone like that I'd have to either confront them directly or make an excuse not to go. I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, but I'm really not willing to suffer. Well, on second thought, if it was my MIL I might just have to bite my tongue and do the martyr routine.
I get headaches from strong perfumes and even from fabric softeners. I'll put a kleenex to my nose or open a window. It can be an uncomfortable situation sometimes!
I guess I haven't been in this situation before, but I can see how it could be a real problem for an allergy sufferer. I'm guessing I would be the martyr.
Excellent Hub. I am sensitive to strong perfume smells.
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