The other day I was riding in the car with several people from Burma. I hadn't noticed it as we were wandering around the airport, but when they got in the car, there was a distinct smell that followed them in. I mentioned something about it to T-rav and he informed me that all Burmese people have that same exact smell (beetle nut juice and the type of food they eat). I've noticed that Nepali people smell like masala. And I'm sure anyone who has ever hung around a Korean for very long has noticed the scent of kimchi wafting off their clothes, hair, bags...and anything else they carry with them.
We've also noticed that these smells seem to be stronger when the people first get to the US and that, obviously, much of a person's smell has to do with what they cook. I'm not saying these are bad smells (I find the smell of kimchi to be almost pleasant)- I've just noticed that most different ethnicities smell differently.
But here's the question: what do Americans (or America) smell like? For example, when we landed in Guatemala, the whole entire country smelled like a mix between smoke, cilantro, sweat, and something else pleasant that I couldn't quite place. Edinburgh, Scotland reeked of haggis (at least it did when I was there). So when you land in America, is there a smell? Do Americans smell like hay fields? Pollution? Garlic? Grease? Potatoes? Onions? Perfume? Any ideas?
6 comments:
Soap.
fast food or clean air--at least that's what I remember smelling when I stepped onto American soil after 6 months in China.
the lagoon. oh wait, thats just when i go home to palmyra. I think thingsusually smell clean.... and cold...i usualy amarriving home after being out of the country when its cold. Its a nice smell. I`ll have t pay attention beginning f sept (fingers crossed!!!) when we go hooooooome finally. And i will be sure to ask rapha what he thinks the us smells like.
When I was on my mission, I could always tell when we were going to knock on a Hispanic person's door, because I could smell Gain. I don't know if every Hispanic person uses Gain, or a lot of it, but I still notice this when I go to some Hispanic homes. It's very pleasant in fact. But I certainly hope they aren't eating the Gain.
we just moved into a condo that an Indian couple lived in before us and it smells like curry. I hate it. It's driving me nuts and I just want the place to start smelling like me...
Americans smell like whatever deodorant they are wearing. I imagine we, for the most part, are one of the most hung up cultures about how we smell and making sure we do not stink.
Post a Comment