How do you go outside... and not smell like outside?

[Anonymous]

This is like when I read some people don't have visual images when they are thinking.

What the heck are you all talking about?

Unless you're standing in a garden of flowers or walking behind a diesel truck, how would there be anything prominent to smell. What scents do sidewalks and pollen give off?

[Anonymous]

It's like pennies + dirt. Not sweat, not BO. You pick it up after being outside for a period of time (5-10+ minutes).

I don't know if this is a thing that has to do with someone's sense of smell or their body chemistry, and that some people just don't develop it.

But it's definitely a thing and not a pleasant smell.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's like pennies + dirt. Not sweat, not BO. You pick it up after being outside for a period of time (5-10+ minutes).

I don't know if this is a thing that has to do with someone's sense of smell or their body chemistry, and that some people just don't develop it.

But it's definitely a thing and not a pleasant smell.

It’s completely different from the fresh outdoor scent. There’s something that happens when the outdoors collide with bodies. You don’t even have to sweat. There’s a weird BO that gets in hair, clothes, and skin. I’ve tried changing my clothes but it’s still there. A 30-second shower with soap gets rid of it.

[Anonymous]

This is hands down the weirdest thing I've ever read on this website, which is saying something.

I have an extremely sensitive nose and have no idea what people are talking about. I also find it weird that this is a phenomenon because everyone's home has a different smell that is very distinct (a mixture of their laundry and cleaning choices, their cooking, how often they open the windows, perfume or scented body products people use, the materials in their home, etc.) so it seems like people would also have different "outside" smells based on environment? But people are talking about it as though it's a universal smell? This doesn't make sense.

[Anonymous]

DCUM, you never fail to amaze me.

I guess I'm a bit of a hippie, I love that smell.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's like pennies + dirt. Not sweat, not BO. You pick it up after being outside for a period of time (5-10+ minutes).

I don't know if this is a thing that has to do with someone's sense of smell or their body chemistry, and that some people just don't develop it.

But it's definitely a thing and not a pleasant smell.

It’s completely different from the fresh outdoor scent. There’s something that happens when the outdoors collide with bodies. You don’t even have to sweat. There’s a weird BO that gets in hair, clothes, and skin. I’ve tried changing my clothes but it’s still there. A 30-second shower with soap gets rid of it.

Oh, it's nothing like walking in a field of lavender or roses or even freshly cut grass. Totally agree on the quick shower necessity - the "outside" smell gets attached to your hair, clothes, and skin. A quick rinse usually does the trick.

[Anonymous]

I have a sensitive sense of smell and I know what OP is talking about, but I don't think it's a bad smell (and I also think it quickly fades and is only noticeable when someone first comes in from outside).

[Anonymous]

Do you mean sweat?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's like pennies + dirt. Not sweat, not BO. You pick it up after being outside for a period of time (5-10+ minutes).

I don't know if this is a thing that has to do with someone's sense of smell or their body chemistry, and that some people just don't develop it.

But it's definitely a thing and not a pleasant smell.

Smelling like pennies is the best way to describe it—a weird, sharp metallic smell. And like PP said, it is a very different smell from sweat. You can pick it up by strolling to your mailbox on a nice day when it’s heavy in the air. Other days it’s not present, at least not in sufficient quantities to attach to your clothes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is hands down the weirdest thing I've ever read on this website, which is saying something.

I have an extremely sensitive nose and have no idea what people are talking about. I also find it weird that this is a phenomenon because everyone's home has a different smell that is very distinct (a mixture of their laundry and cleaning choices, their cooking, how often they open the windows, perfume or scented body products people use, the materials in their home, etc.) so it seems like people would also have different "outside" smells based on environment? But people are talking about it as though it's a universal smell? This doesn't make sense.

I have a sensitive nose and I know exactly the "outside" smell. I don't smell it on myself readily, but since I smell it on most people coming from "outside, " I assume that I carry it too.

[Anonymous]

Someone please drop a link or two to scientific studies on this, please. With so many experiencing the same thing, there must be research on this and I am fascinated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/storm-scents-smell-rain/

That is a different smell. Though also unpleasant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it smells like egg. It made my son throw up today when he smelled it.

Oh, you! It’s more like lightly fried tuna.

[Anonymous]

I know the smell you mean. I think it's ozone.

[Anonymous]

I have never experienced this smell, but I will give OP the benefit of the doubt.

OP, in your case, I would honestly suggest just dabbing a bit of perfume under your nose. This is about how you perceive your own smell--I guarantee you don't smell weird to other people after walking to the mailbox for 5 minutes. To be clear, I am not saying you are imagining this, just that is a quirk of your biology in your sense of smell. So, just mask the smell for yourself and you will be fine.