Perfume (WAS Gift code )

[Tim Regan]

Hi All,

--- In HPFGU-OTChatter "alshainofthenorth" <alshainofthenorth at y...> 
wrote:
> The sense of smell grows numb really quickly so there's always a 
risk
> of adding more because you think it's not enough or it's worn off. 
I
> was taught that if you can smell your own perfume, you've used too
> much -- it should whisper, not shout. 

As 
<http://www.bravotv.com/Queer_Eye_for_the_Straight_Guy/Kyan_Douglas/>
 Kyan Douglass intoned during one episode of Queer Eye for the 
Straight Guy: "Spray, delay, and walk away", i.e. spray the 
fragrance into the air, wait, and then walk into the spray, rather 
than spraying it onto oneself directly. Now I'm reminded of that by 
my wife Kate and daughter Megan if ever I over do it. But I do not 
know how to apply this adage to deodorant, without doing some really 
weird contortions.

I also think this is more a guy problem than a girl one, because we 
have a weaker sense of smell. So it takes us longer to realize we 
need deodorant and longer to realize we've over-done the scent. 
Still, if you are feeling nauseated by your partner's scent on some 
romantic walk, remember, it's better than being eaten by 
mosquitoes ;-)

> Own favourites (until Lush Ltd. of UK decides to market their 
Alkmaar
> soap as a perfume) include The Body Shop's White Musk

Kate's too, but I really don't like the smell of musk, it's like, 
hmmm, I don't know what the word is. Too animally. My favourite (and 
I am a bit of a signature scent guy, I liked the idea of the kids 
growing up with a smell that reminded them of me) is the Sandalwood 
Cologne that Crabtree and Evelyn do.

So, with all this talk of perfume we should mention the Patrick 
Suskind book "Perfume". It's really unsettling but also really 
beautiful. And once you've read it you spend the next few months 
periodically closing your eyes to try to tune into the multitude of 
scents around you. (Rather like Cage's 4'33" does for sounds.)

> Is cologne in the US the thing guys use on their faces after 
shaving
> or is it more like perfume, btw? If it's A, I can't for my life
> understand the point of it. It's mostly alcohol and you're putting
> THAT on your freshly shaven face? OUCH!

Actually I think that's the point. The alcohol acts as an astringent 
that not only closes all the pores after shaving, but is also 
invigorating – like the cold water plunge after a sauna.

The point of a romantic gift is not just to buy someone something 
they'd like, but something that show's you think they are special. 
Kate doesn't wear much perfume, and reads lots, but the first time I 
thought of buying her perfume instead of a book on returning from a 
business trip abroad it meant much more to her. I guess lingerie is 
the same, it's like saying "this is valuable but you're worth it" or 
something like that. It doesn't have to be monetary value, it could 
be the time you've spent choosing or finding the present. Lingerie 
has always worried me as a present though, since it's clearly 
designed to give more pleasure to the giver than the receiver. Women 
don't buy lingerie for everyday comfort. Still, I think we are safe 
that Ron won't be buying Hermione knickers anytime soon.

Cheers,

Dumbledad