Scents We Love
Police in the Netherlands have discovered that the scent of oranges has a calming effect on criminals. After a month of pumping the citrus smell into prison cells in Rotterdam, law enforcement noticed a significant drop in fighting and aggressive behaviour.
Frankly, I think that aroma would drive me around the bend. I like eating oranges, but the odour reminds me of peeling clementines or tangerines at Christmas and bits of the rind getting stuck under my fingernails - yuck. I do enjoy smelling other citrus fruits, namely lemons and limes, but only the real thing. The simulated scent used in many candies and cleaners can be annoying as well.
There’s also something about the smell of gasoline that I find intoxicating. I haven’t owned a car in a number of years and what I miss most is not the convenience of a vehicle, but rather the trips to the gas station and the smell at the pump. Weird, I know. And then there’s the smell of pine. I find it fresh and relaxing. I guess it reminds me of walking through the woods and cherished holiday memories.
What scents turn you on? Which ones make you want to plug your nose? I can’t be the only person who likes the smell of gasoline, can I? Click on the No Comments/Comments link to share your likes and dislikes. Today’s Jack Nation bonus code is ORANGES. Make sure you enter it before midnight on February 25th.
February 22nd, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Cinnamon is a good one.. it reminds me of Christmas. Places like Cinnabon and Saint Cinnamon KNOW that, too. Just try walking past those places without being drawn in..it’s damn hard!
Also fresh-popped popcorn.. even if I’ve just eaten dinner, the smell of popcorn at the theatre gets me every time. (so, now i just skip dinner and eat the bag of popcorn for dinner instead!)
Carly’s Note: I totally admit to having gone to movies just so I can eat buttered popcorn for dinner. I was the only one crunching and munching my way through The Last King of Scotland, which was an excellent film, but kind of gory in parts. I went when it just came out, before any hype, so it was a group of intellectuals and me and my popcorn.
February 22nd, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Smell of gasoline…Disgusting, makes me want to hurl, (& not just because it costs me 130 bucks to fill my guzzler). I do like cherry. Black cherry candles, fresh cherry wood, nice and of course the fruit when it’s fresh.
Carly’s Note: Black cherry - good call!
February 22nd, 2008 at 4:18 pm
The scent of a woman………hoooooooo……waaaaah.
Carly’s Note: Nice Pacino reference.
February 22nd, 2008 at 4:19 pm
I kinda like the smell of gasoline as well, but I guess I’m too used to it now since I fill up for gas every four or five days because of the distance I drive to and from work.
As for scents I like, I got one of those Glade Mood Light scented oil air freshener things that you plug in, and it came with a grape or berry scented oil. The aroma is very nice and I’ve noticed that it lasts longer than a lot of the other Glad scented oil.
However, I’m wishing that they could find a way to make other aromas. I like fried chicken, so why not a fried chicken air freshener? Or maybe chocolate? How about lasagna or freshly baked cookies? Do you get where I’m going with this? Or am I just making you hungry? LOL If I could figure out how to make the aroma of these fine foods in an air freshener, I’d be a rich man!
Carly’s Note: Yummmm. Fried chicken and fresh baked cookies - so bad for my diet, so good for the senses!
February 22nd, 2008 at 5:44 pm
Fresh baked bread! Or to top that one - fresh baked banana bread! My mouth is watering just thinking about it… yum!
-S.B.
Carly’s Note: Freshly baked banana bread with chocolate chips - yum!
February 22nd, 2008 at 6:51 pm
My favourite is the scent Butt Naked…..Mango, Pineapple and Coconut……My buddy makes his own soybean candles……….mapleleafcandles.com
Carly’s Note: Butt Naked? Interesting name for a candle. Hope your buddy appreciates the plug - no pun intended.
February 22nd, 2008 at 7:28 pm
i’m was with you with the gasoline, until I worked at a gas station and got to smell it all the time, not like it so much anymore.
I do enjoy the smell of my mom’s homemade chicken noodle with cilandro chopped on the top, yum!
I think I’ll call her now.
Bye
Carly’s Note: I could see how the odour of gas could become annoying if you had to smell it all day long. I don’t think I’d ever get sick of the aroma of homemade chicken noodle soup, though. My Oma died over 25 years ago and I still remember how her chicken noodle smelled and tasted. Mm, mm good.
February 23rd, 2008 at 1:05 pm
A-h-h Cinnamon…I read somewhere that if you are trying to sell your house, boil cinnamon sticks in water to release the smell throughout the house just before it is being shown (I’ll be putting this to the test in a few months). Apparently it really appeals to that homey feeling that all fairy tales are made of, and people are signing mortgage papers before they know what hit them. Home baked cookies work in the same fashion. Personally, I LOVE the smell of gasoline too, reminds me of my childhood when people actually filled your car up and cleaned your windshield too. Maybe I was just getting high off the fumes! This smell is Not recommended for house selling - or could it be??
P.S. Who could forget the smell of those pine scented car fresheners (good or bad) - it’s strange how scents trigger memories.
Carly’s Note: Good real estate tip! As for the smell of gas, I used to love Scratch ‘n Sniff stickers. The gas one smelled like the real thing.
February 23rd, 2008 at 1:19 pm
I remembered that I forgot about what should have been my first reaction “Coffee” is my favorite smell, and apparently many others too. People line up to buy coffee, and are willing to pay Starbucks prices for it. I must not forget the smell of fresh baked bread either — U-M-M — Grandma where are you??
Carly’s Note: I don’t even drink coffee and I agree with you. I do eat bread, though, and I love fresh baguette with real butter.
February 24th, 2008 at 10:19 am
I agree with you, Carly..I also love the smell of gasoline, and jet fuel. I don’t know what it is about them. Another scent? Now don’t think me crazy but I enjoy the smell of cow manure…takes me back to my childhood living on the farm. I love the smell of baby powder, cedar, I also love the scent of pine, and lavender!!
Carly’s Note: Cow manure is one of those scents you can’t help but sniff, even if you don’t like it. Same goes for skunk odour. I wouldn’t say I like it, but I can’t help but take a big whiff when I do smell it. I guess we’re both crazy.
February 24th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
Ironically enough I hate the smell of oranges. Never liked em never will. I agree with you about the smell of gas.
Carly’s Note: Woo hoo! I’m not alone!
February 24th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
Hi Carly,
You are not the only one who loves the smell of gasoline.The wife alway’s rolls down the window to get a full whiff while I’m filling the car.I personally
don’t smell it anymore because at work I work with alot of different solvents.I do however like the smell of pine.Love the smell of pinesol for washing the floors.
Bob
Carly’s Note: Smelly solvents can be nasty. Some are so strong they can cause headaches or make you sick - kind of like that fake butter they used to use in microwave popcorn.
February 25th, 2008 at 8:55 am
The smell of leather is marvellous (the smell of gasoline is cool too, but we can’t admit to too many people that we like to “sniff” the stuff), but the scent of Polo cologne almost makes me homicidal……I guess it could be the memory of a very bad boyfriend choice…..
Carly’s Note: I know what you mean about certain colognes. There’s one scent, I don’t know what it’s called, but an ex used to wear it and when I detect it on strangers, it brings back all kinds of memories - most unpleasant. I think next time I’ll ask the guy what he’s wearing, so I know just what the heck it’s called.
February 25th, 2008 at 9:22 am
Growing up and till to this day I love being outside on a winter day and smelling the scent of real fireplaces burning real wood! Love that smell.
I too like the smell of gasoline….. a scent pretty close that really turns me on… LOL!!! is after my husband has been working on our cars doing one thing or another (saving us money) he comes inside and he smells like a mechanic you know that whole oil/grease/gas smell and he knows this so he usually comes to where I am opens up his arms and says “Go ahead Baby Smell Me” LOL!!!!! I guess we all have our little strange quirks!!!
Carly’s Note: Hmmm. A wood fire. Nice visual as well as a nice scent. As for that mechanic thing, that’s hot! You know, just like the fire.
February 25th, 2008 at 11:25 am
I love the smell of napalm in the morning!
Carly’s Note: Smells like victory, doesn’t it?
February 25th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
Carly, I LOVE the smell of rain, on fresh cut grass, and a wood fire,(and or) bonfire on the beach. I also love the smell of a man’s armpits, in the morning……ahhhhhh!!!!!
Susan…
Carly’s Note: You had me until armpits. Three out of four ain’t bad?
February 26th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
” The scent, vanilla,
it takes me away
Coppertone lotion…
to a childhood day
Freshly cut grass,
senses alive in May
Garlic & onions cooking,
‘ what can I say ? ‘
And gasoline, yes,
a brief , fleeting trace
Excites the nostrils,
flushes your face
But, a skunk encounter,
in the wrong place
May leave you alone,
no love, no embrace…”
“Slow Rider”
Carly’s Note: I love the smell of Coppertone, too! Coppertone is very distinct. I also enjoy the coconut smell of other brands; it reminds me of pina coladas - yum!