Have you ever tried a fragrance and thought to yourself, “Wow, this smells awful?” Then you wonder why and how anyone would ever enjoy that smell. Just like our sense of taste, smells are based on preference. For example, your friend may like the smell of corpse flowers (the worst-smelling flower in the world) and burnt hair while you like the smell of roses and bonfires.
“Most people assume we all like the smell of roses and hate the smell of skunk… with the exception of irritating odors, smell is something we come to know from personal and cultural experiences.” noted lead researcher Rachel Herz, PhD, in a 2005 Brown University study.
Alan R Hirsch, the founder and neurological director of the Smell and Taste Treatment & Research Foundation, explained to NPR that “the factors that influence our sense of smell are actually a combination of cultural, genetic, and environmental factors.”
There are certain smells that almost everyone loves. From the new car smell (which may not be good for you) and freshly baked bread to Sharpies and gasoline. People enjoy a variety of aromas and find some more pleasant than others. The scents we smell can change our moods and emotions. Sometimes, it can even bring us back to long-forgotten events and memories.
Here are 10 unusual smells most people enjoy.
Nail Polish
It could be due to its association with nail salons. It’s where many people find a moment of relaxation.Your Significant Other’s Hair
Should you thank their hair care routine for this? Or maybe you’re a fan of their pheromones? Let’s just call it a chemically compatible match.
Tennis Balls
Some people enjoy the smell of recycled rubber, glue, and a slight hint of petroleum.
Sharpies/ Markers
It’s probably not because it can make you high. It may have more to do with nostalgia. Sharpies and markers tend to smell like childhood to some people.
Chlorine/ Bleach
It makes sense that some people like the smell of chlorine. Most people are reminded of memories by the pool. Or maybe an abundance of laundry.
New Books
It may be something with the smell combination of fresh paper and book adhesive, mixed with the excitement of getting a new book.
Your Own Body Odor
Do you ever catch a whiff of yourself and actually don’t mind it? Maybe, it’s because it’s your own scent. Some studies show that we’ve adapted to like our own odors, to help us maintain proper hygiene.
Freezer Burn/ Frozen over-freezer
It has that “cold” smell that’s similar to when the AC blows in the car.
Cow Manure
Some people like it because it “smells like the country.” The smell is supposedly associated with fresh air and fields of farmland.
Blown Out Candle
Someone loved this scent so much that they created a crowdfunding site for a candle that “always smells like it’s not actually burning while it’s burning.” They described the smell as a “warm, smoky aroma.”
