Thursday, November 08, 2007

whole lotta of noxious going on

I may have to re-think my pleasure in having the subscriber wall come down for the NY Times.
Americans spent more than $2.3 billion on deodorant and antiperspirant in 2006, according to Euromonitor International, a market research firm. Yet few people stop to consider the rationale for performing their morning elbow dance.

Advertisers would have consumers believe that simply washing their armpits isn't enough to stave off embarrassment and attract mates. But considering the lackluster efficacy of many gels and sticks, deodorants and antiperspirants may be nothing more than security blankets against the social ostracism some fear.

"Most people who are not in constant high-stress situations could get away with wearing a lot less than they do," said Dr. Jeanine Downie, a dermatologist in Montclair, N.J. "They'd probably be fine just using a little powder." Six other dermatologists interviewed for this article echoed Dr. Downie's comments. "Those shelves and shelves of antiperspirant and deodorant at drugstores would be put to better use if they were filled with sunblock or even lotion," she said. "There are a lot more people with dry skin than with serious body odor or sweat issues."

Do not believe a word of it – most of you smell, and smell badly. The one major disadvantage of standing 5'1" means my nose stands dead centre at armpit level on public transportation. I never had a fracking clue as to how much and how badly you all smelt until I quit smoking. It has been choking me up regularly ever since. Frankly, I have seriously pondered why there are so many non-smokers up and about, because the stink is positively horrendous. I have no idea how non-smokers stand it, and if there is one thing that could push me over the edge and return to smoking, it would be prolonged it exposure to people who reek. Wash up people! Use extra strength deodorants

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