There is no sense of taste or smell in this matter. What smells like a rose to one person can be a burden to another. Why is that so? Why do some people despise others? There are different opinions about this. Some people know that our preference for certain smells is genetic in that we are born with certain smells. Other scientists believe that odor preferences are learned behaviors. The idea here is that we like certain smells based on an emotional response based on a learned smell that we associate with a certain positive or negative in our lives.
Which of these statements best supports scientific research? This view, which suggests that odors are learned behavioral preferences, is well supported by scientific data. This is further supported by the fact that our scent preferences can change over time based on our life experiences. How we feel about smell can be directly related to the experience we had when we were exposed to that smell.
So what are the powerful and smelly sex that some people love? Here they are in no particular order.
1. Skunk odor
Don’t believe me on this one? Well, the room is dedicated to the love of skunk smell. You can visit at http://www.skuklover.com. This is just one of the many places where lovers of the skunk room scent can go and meet other like-minded fans of the scent. If odors are learned preferences by experience, I wonder what the people who were struck experienced that made such a positive impression?
2. The smell of gasoline
This is actually quite common. I can remember as a child enjoying the delicious smell of gasoline when we stopped at our local gas station. It’s interesting that the love of this smell is so common since some components of gasoline are toxic in high doses and carcinogenic in low doses, which doesn’t exactly qualify as an adaptive response. Perhaps people have subconsciously associated the smell of gasoline with a pleasant trip to the past.
3. The smell of horse manure
Don’t you believe me? Here is a direct quote:
“I love it. The rich smell of horse poop, nothing like it.” – From the book Kentucky Rich, by Fern Michael.
Could this scent preference be derived from a positive experience with horses? He has doubts about this one. I have had many experiences with dogs, but I still have nothing to smell like dog feces!
4. Pipe smoking
Finally, a scent preference that makes sense! I had a grandfather who smoked a pipe on a regular basis. Every time I smell the smell of a burning pipe, I love the memories of it. Did you prefer the example of a learned scent? Smelling organ smoke should be a comforting smell, somewhat akin to comforting food.
5. The smell of dew
Yes, it is true that there are a small number of people who enjoy the smell of rust. I have seen several comments to this effect in various online message boards with my own eyes. I don’t know about you, but I don’t go out looking for a cologne called “Eau de Mildew”!
6. Body Odor
Well, it might not be one of my favorites, but I can see this as an adaptive response for our species. Persons who exhibit strong body odor tend to sweat profusely which suggests that they are working hard to succeed and survive. If so, why is the deodorant and antiperspirant industry so profitable? Perhaps we would all be happier if the natural scent was transparent. Right? I don’t know about you, but I stick with the right guard!
There you have it! It smells powerful, sometimes dirty, that some people love. (but probably won’t admit it). Not so surprising, is it all?
