Is there any smell that you don’t mind that other people normally gag at? I’ve heard that smell can invoke powerful memories, more than any of the other senses; so that a particular smell can instantly bring back a vivid memory of some other time that you smelled that smell.
I think that this accounts, in part, for liking the smell of certain things that smell bad to other people. Here’s my list:
Gas and Oil: My dad worked for a tree cutting company, clearing trees from power lines and such. He would come home smelling of oil, gas, and exhaust. Those smells now remind me of the good old days.
Cow shit: I spent a lot of summers at my grandparents house. They raised cattle, and lots of them. The smell of cow shit on a hot dusty day bring back the memories. Again, it’s an association with the good old days.
Skunk: No excuse for this; but I don’t mind the smell at all. My wife thinks that an early life full of the smell of gas and cow shit burned out my nostrils. But as long as the skunk doesn’t spray on me, I think the smell is strong but okay.
What about you? Are there any “stinky” odors that you like because of good associations, or just because? Maybe you have a smell that brings back a memory from that time you were a member of that famous wine of the month club. You remember the one. The one that gets you all hot and ….. well, let’s just leave it at that for now.
Is it not amazing how the brain and senses are wired?
I too have a positive reaction to the smell of cow shit and skunk excrement.
Manure reminds me of summers at the family farm.
Skunk excrement reminds me of Lake Sherwood. Do you remember when that place was overun by skunks?
I also like the smell of diesel fuel and hay, both of which remind me of the countless hours I spent putting up hay when I was a kid.
Same here with gas and oil… paint/paint thinner also… and burning leaves
BCSs last blog post..Rizal’s Vertebra
I like the smell of gas, but I don\’t like to get it on my hands. I also like the smells of inks, markers, new money, old mimeograph machines (precursor to a copier), and glue (Elmer\’s or Rubber Cement) and I\’m not sure why for any of them.
Evil Twin’s Wifes last blog post..Jumpy
We don’t have skunks here in our country.. I wonder how it smells like…and oh yeah, I hate gas stench
moongoddesslaes last blog post..my CHANTRICE CLEONE
cow shit… I can tolerated the smell of it.LOL!
lunarhemispheres last blog post..SHE
The smell of bleach when I’m doing laundry or cleaning always reminds me of Saturday mornings at my house growing up…my mom had “cleaning parties” and us kids were the only invitees….but still, it makes me happy in a weird way 🙂
I work in the Oil and Gas Field pumpjackstore You can look at some of the pictures on the site of Pump jacks, oilfield equipment, casing, and tubing. Just by the pictures you can get an idea of what it might smell like.
I also love skunk and cow shi. I enjoy the grease smell that comes with a mechanic after a long day in the garage. I admit I am also a farm kid with mechanics as brothers. Can’t get away from childhood smells.