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Fun Stuff => CHATTER => Topic started by: ruyi on 13 Jan 2008, 02:42

Title: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: ruyi on 13 Jan 2008, 02:42
so i'm sure most of you have heard this idea before somewhere, but i still thought this made for pretty interesting reading. there are some things i haven't heard before, too.

article (http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/index.php?term=20071228-000001)

i'd recommend just reading through all of it. despite being 5 pages it's actually pretty quick and interesting. still, here are some excerpts for the lazy!

the basic principle:

Quote
Research has shown that we use scent-based signaling mechanisms to suss out compatibility. Claus Wedekind, a biologist at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland, created Exhibit A of this evidence by giving 44 men new T-shirts and instructing them to wear the shirts for two straight nights. To ensure that the sweat collecting on the shirts would remain "odor-neutral," he supplied the men with scent-free soap and aftershave.

After the men were allowed to change, 49 women sniffed the shirts and specified which odors they found most attractive. Far more often than chance would predict, the women preferred the smell of T-shirts worn by men who were immunologically dissimilar to them. The difference lay in the sequence of more than 100 immune system genes known as the MHC, or major histocompatibility complex. These genes code for proteins that help the immune system recognize pathogens. The smell of their favorite shirts also reminded the women of their past and current boyfriends, suggesting that MHC does indeed influence women's dating decisions in real life.

Women's preference for MHC-distinct mates makes perfect sense from a biological point of view. Ever since ancestral times, partners whose immune systems are different have produced offspring who are more disease-resistant. With more immune genes expressed, kids are buffered against a wider variety of pathogens and toxins.

But that doesn't mean women prefer men whose MHC genes are most different from theirs, as University of Chicago evolutionary biologist Martha McClintock found when she performed a T-shirt study similar to Wedekind's. Women are not attracted to the smell of men with whom they had no MHC genes in common. "This might be a case where you're protecting yourself against a mate who's too similar or too dissimilar, but there's a middle range where you're OK," McClintock says.

as an explanation for miscarriages and cheating:

Quote
Typically, our noses steer us in the right direction when it comes to picking a reproductively compatible partner. But what if they fail us and we wind up with a mate whose MHC profile is too similar to our own? Carol Ober, a geneticist at the University of Chicago, explored this question in her studies of members of the Hutterite religious clan, an Amish-like closed society that consists of some 40,000 members and extends through the rural Midwest. Hutterites marry only other members of their clan, so the variety in their gene pool is relatively low. Within these imposed limits, Hutterite women nevertheless manage to find partners who are MHC-distinct from them most of the time.

The few couples with a high degree of MHC similarity, however, suffered higher rates of miscarriage and experienced longer intervals between pregnancies, indicating more difficulty conceiving. Some scientists speculate that miscarriages may be the body's way of curtailing investment in a child who isn't likely to have a strong immune system anyway.

What's more, among heterosexual couples, similar MHC profiles spell relational difficulty, Christine Garver-Apgar, a psychologist at the University of New Mexico, has found. "As the proportion of MHC alleles increased, women's sexual responsiveness to their partners decreased, and their number of sex partners outside the relationship increased," Garver-Apgar reports. The number of MHC genes couples shared corresponded directly with the likelihood that they would cheat on one another; if a man and woman had 50 percent of their MHC alleles in common, the woman had a 50 percent chance of sleeping with another man behind her partner's back.

potential problems with the pill:

Quote
Women generally prefer the smell of men whose MHC gene complements are different from theirs, setting the stage for the best biological match. But Wedekind's T-shirt study revealed one notable exception to this rule: women on the birth-control pill. When the pill users among his subjects sniffed the array of pre-worn T-shirts, they preferred the scent of men whose MHC profiles were similar to theirs—the opposite of their pill-free counterparts.

This dramatic reversal of smell preferences may reflect the pill's mechanism of action: It prevents the ovaries from releasing an egg, fooling the body into thinking it's pregnant. And since pregnancy is such a vulnerable state, it seems to activate a preference for kin, who are genetically similar to us and likely to serve as protectors. "When pregnant rodent females are exposed to strange males, they can spontaneously abort," Herz says. "The same may be true for human females." What's more, some women report a deficit in sex drive when they take the pill, a possible consequence of its pregnancy-mimicking function.

The tendency to favor mates with similar MHC genes could potentially hamper the durability of pill users' relationships in the long term. While Herz shies away from dubbing hormonal birth control "the divorce pill," as a few media outlets have done in response to her theories, she does think the pill jumbles women's smell preferences. "It's like picking your cousins as marriage partners," Herz says. "It constitutes a biological error." As a result, explains Charles Wysocki, a psychobiologist at Florida State University, when such a couple decides to have children and the woman stops taking birth control, she may find herself less attracted to her mate for reasons she doesn't quite understand. "On a subconscious level, her brain is realizing a mistake was made—she married the wrong guy," he says.

...which leads to problems for strippers on the pill:

Quote
Geoffrey Miller, an evolutionary psychologist at the University of New Mexico and author of The Mating Mind, noticed the pill's connection to waning male desire while studying a group of exotic dancers—women whose livelihoods depend on how sexually appealing they are to male customers. Non-pill-using dancers made about 50 percent more in tips than dancers on oral contraceptives. In other words, women who were on the pill were only about two-thirds as sexy as women who weren't.

and finally, why them dang kids gotta be all up on each other these days:

Quote
Miller argues that modern hygiene may be such an impediment to sexual signaling that it could explain why so many people in our culture get so physical so fast. "Hunter-gatherers didn't have to do a lot of kissing, because they could smell each other pretty clearly from a few feet away," Miller says. "With all the showering, scents, and soap, we have to get our noses and mouths really up close to people to get a good idea of their biochemistry. People are more motivated to do a lot more kissing and petting, to do that assessment before they have sex." In other words, the need to smell our mates—and the comparative difficulty of doing so in today's environment of perfumes and colognes—may actually be driving the sexual disinhibition of modern society.
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: Hat on 13 Jan 2008, 05:05
Well, women do smell much better than men and I do enjoy fucking them significantly more.

I think we can pretty much file this case under "closed"
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: Liz on 13 Jan 2008, 09:25
Quote
the body's way of curtailing investment in a child who isn't likely to have a strong immune system anyway.

I laughed at this. Is that bad?
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: jhocking on 13 Jan 2008, 09:30
If I put money into a promising Indian student, will I collect dividends quarterly? I'm looking to diversify my portfolio into international investments.
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: Johnny C on 13 Jan 2008, 10:10
I dunno how balderdash it is. I started using unscented, natural soap this past year and more than one girl actually found me attractive for the first time in memory.

Jesus Christ that looks really self-pitying. It isn't, honest.
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: mooface on 13 Jan 2008, 10:55
so if my boyfriend keeps wanting me to wear perfume, and refuses to have sex with me, does this mean i smell funny?
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: jhocking on 13 Jan 2008, 10:59
It means he is insane.
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: tommydski on 13 Jan 2008, 11:04
***URGE TO KILL: RISING***
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: PacoSees on 13 Jan 2008, 11:08
After using Old Spice body wash and deodorant for like, 3 years running, I don't think I'm capable of smelling like natural sweat anymore.

Thank god I have Bruce Campbell to show me the ways of seducing women with the scent of "experience".
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: Lines on 13 Jan 2008, 11:17
I am actually inclined to believe some of this, because for some reason smell is kind of important to me, or at least the part where it helps in deciding who to date or not. I don't know about the other stuff, because it makes no sense, but I do like nice smelling boys.
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: bryanthelion on 13 Jan 2008, 12:27
Does this work for gay couples too?
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: öde on 13 Jan 2008, 12:33
I like how I smell. Is this a problem?
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: 0bsessions on 13 Jan 2008, 12:35
TheGreenRanger: Considering you smell like rotten vagina, yes it is.
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: calenlass on 13 Jan 2008, 12:39
I dunno how ridiculous the study is, but that is only because smell is pretty important to me. Especially my own: every time my stupid shampoo company changes their formula yet again it takes me weeks to readjust to how I smell to myself. (My hair smells the most of the various parts of my body, I think, because there is the most of it. Also I am not talking about genitals because they smell a lot but most people don't smell them because unless you walk around naked they are generally covered up by clothes.)
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: ViolentDove on 13 Jan 2008, 14:42
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v736/branston_pickle/DSC00248.jpg)

You can buy these for $2 in pub toilets. As always, pub toilets are at the forefront of harnessing cutting edge scientific research for the advancement of humankind. Although, I got told once that most of these are made with pig pheromones because only one company owns the patents on human pheromones*.



*Source: A Guy in the Pub et al. (2003)
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: Jimmy the Squid on 13 Jan 2008, 14:54
Well consider that the sense of smell is stronger for human females than it is for males. There's also been research into the fact that when you suddenly feel really attracted to people for reasons you can't adequately explain it could be because you are actually attracted to their scent. As the sense of smell is no longer all that important in regards to survival in humans, the part of the brain that regulates olfactory sensation (limbic system? it's in the frontal lobe at the very least) is also strongly connected to our emotions which is why particular perfumes make you feel all nostalgic for a past lover or even going on holiday when you were young. So an old love-interest used to wear a particular scent and you meet someone wearing the same scent you will be reminded of the emotions you felt for the past lover (as opposed to the actual person) and therefore mistake that feeling for actual attraction or revulsion.

Very interesting concept. Absolute balderdash but a curious study nonetheless.

Uh, how is it balderdash?
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: ViolentDove on 13 Jan 2008, 15:02
It's not balderdash, but it's not an uncontested theory... opponents of the idea point to the fact that the vomeronasal organ (which has been demonstrated to be the primary receptor for pheromones in other mammals) in humans appears vestigial, as nerves linking it to the brain haven't been found, and it's a good deal smaller than in other mammals.
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: Emaline on 13 Jan 2008, 15:05
I dunno how ridiculous the study is, but that is only because smell is pretty important to me.


Agreed.
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: Chrasstor on 13 Jan 2008, 15:09
I think by 'absolute-balderdash', he meant that there are so many other things that factor into relationships these days that it's impractical to really say scent plays that huge a role. I kind of agree with that, but at the same time, I can think of times where I've been attracted to another girls 'natural' smell.

I personally don't wear deodorant, mostly because I'm not a very strong smelling person... But this is kind of interesting, as it really contributes to the whole "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" theory. There's some girls that I'll be like "Man, she's really cute" and my friends will be like "Meh, she's alright.". Then other times my friend'll be like "I'd like to rump in her melon-patch" and I'm like "Not so much, myself.". Come to think of it, it's always seemed like my first-(male)cousin and I have had more similar tastes in girls than my other close-friends. Albeit, I can think of other people that have similar tastes to me, but the fact that someone so near in my gene-pool is similar makes sense. It also makes sense that there are some other people I know with similar tastes.

I'm not really sure about this theory... But it definitely makes sense, in theory.
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: Liz on 13 Jan 2008, 15:32
There's also been research into the fact that when you suddenly feel really attracted to people for reasons you can't adequately explain it could be because you are actually attracted to their scent.

That explains a lot. Thank you.
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: hannahrochelle on 13 Jan 2008, 15:34
Well consider that the sense of smell is stronger for human females than it is for males. There's also been research into the fact that when you suddenly feel really attracted to people for reasons you can't adequately explain it could be because you are actually attracted to their scent. As the sense of smell is no longer all that important in regards to survival in humans, the part of the brain that regulates olfactory sensation (limbic system? it's in the frontal lobe at the very least) is also strongly connected to our emotions which is why particular perfumes make you feel all nostalgic for a past lover or even going on holiday when you were young. So an old love-interest used to wear a particular scent and you meet someone wearing the same scent you will be reminded of the emotions you felt for the past lover (as opposed to the actual person) and therefore mistake that feeling for actual attraction or revulsion.


Hmm, I got this kinda recently. A guy I was seeing about 5 years ago used to smell of a mixture of benson and hedges cigarettes and spearmint gum. I still love that scent to this day... And it's going to be hard to forget again, since he's moving in with his sister and I soon, and there's still a huge attraction there.

Damn science.
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: IronOxide on 13 Jan 2008, 17:31
That sounds more like classical conditioning to me. You now associate benson and hedges cigarettes and spearmint gum with the "good times", triggering a positive response in the brain.

This article is more on the subtle differences in attraction that you get from the smell of someones pheromones, their sweat and other bodily fluids.
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: Leinad on 13 Jan 2008, 17:42


Hmm, I got this kinda recently. A guy I was seeing about 5 years ago used to smell of a mixture of benson and hedges cigarettes and spearmint gum. I still love that scent to this day... And it's going to be hard to forget again, since he's moving in with his sister and I soon, and there's still a huge attraction there.


Are you a masochist?
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: calenlass on 13 Jan 2008, 17:43
If yes, PM me for my business card.
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: jeph on 13 Jan 2008, 18:00
i dunno

i think girls are pretty sexy when they're on fire

    you might say I like "HOT" ladies!
      /
    :-D
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: Ozymandias on 13 Jan 2008, 18:05
Attraction is overwhelmingly psychological. I've probably had a hundred or so relationships of various degrees of seriousness over the years and not a single encounter was to do with smell or pheremones.

That you know of.
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: hannahrochelle on 13 Jan 2008, 18:15
words


Are you a masochist?

I havent quite figured that one out yet  :mrgreen:
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: jhocking on 13 Jan 2008, 18:32
I've recently become aware of an innate magnetic polarity that causes me to be attracted to women with a slightly higher than normal concentration of iron in their body.

I am intending to write a paper about my findings, with hope of attracting a large government grant with which to expand my research into the influence of electrodynamics on human sexuality.
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: Chrasstor on 13 Jan 2008, 18:37
Although I pretty much agree completely with what Tommy said, what about all the genetics stuff?

Surely there must be some way that our bodies attract us to those with genetics that compliment complement our own. I'm more interested in the whole 'shirt test' than anything. Did they really take blood samples and compare the genetics of the ladies to the guys they preferred? If so, I think there might be something more important than 0.1% of attraction. That said, I'd definitely say that even with the whole smelly genetics, how you look is still probably much more important.

I'm not so sure about the statistics they've given us in that article. I mean, they pretty much tried to blantantly say straight up in many of their 'studies' that "Hey, we've did a SHIT LOAD of research, and it shows that the reason a lot of relationships don't work is because of the smell that your immune system genetics emit. People who's smells are alike are 10000% more likely to divorce and possible kill each other". I mean, that sounds super believable on paper right? But you really have to wonder how much they're bullshitting(probably a lot).

WHAT I'M TRYING TO SAY IS IT JUST SEEMS WAY TOO SIMPLE! HOW COULD THIS NOT HAVE BEEN DISCOVERED BEFORE? WHY ISN'T THE SAYING 'LOVE AT FIRST SMELL'!?

EDIT: I'm aware that the first part and second part of my post contradict,surely it's the two sides of my brain fighting.
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: jhocking on 13 Jan 2008, 18:46
compliment
nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: Chrasstor on 13 Jan 2008, 18:50
Grammar correction by Joe Hocking

-10 E-Pnorz
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: cupcakeonastick on 13 Jan 2008, 18:55
Scent has definitely turned me off of someone before. My ex-boyfriend decided to buy Old Spice body wash once and we were making out and I was feeling extremely uncomfortable and repulsed but couldn't figure out why. I made us stop and we were just sitting there, both wondering what the hell was going on, and I suddenly realized he smelled like my dad.


Needless to say he never used that body wash again. *shudder*
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: IronOxide on 13 Jan 2008, 19:13
I think you are missing the boat here, it's not "this guy smells like old spice, I don't like the smell of old spice" that this article is trying to say, they're trying to say that on some kind of subconscious level you smell a dude after a workout and say "this dude will provide greater genetic variation for my offspring, making them less prone to genetic defect, thus more likely to throw my genetic material into further generations."

You people are talking about classical conditioning, which is where you form associations between smells and people.
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: captain zoe on 13 Jan 2008, 19:55
Hm.  I'm interested in the part about women on the pill.  I have never experienced a lower sex drive despite being on it.  I somehow personally have a harder time believing that men are less attracted to women on the pill; how do they know?  I'd like to learn more about that part.  Curious.
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: PacoSees on 13 Jan 2008, 19:58
I actually found it to be some kind of sixth sense this past semester.  6 times out of 7, I could tell if the girl was on the pill or not.  It might be some subtle behavior thing I picked up, but if you wait til May, I can try some "formal" experiments.
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: captain zoe on 13 Jan 2008, 20:03
Really?  That's beyond weird.  I should conduct a poll around campus; just walk around and ask guys if they think I'm on the pill or not. 

Were you less attracted to those 6 girls you knew were on the pill?
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: hannahrochelle on 13 Jan 2008, 20:04
Hm.  I'm interested in the part about women on the pill.  I have never experienced a lower sex drive despite being on it.  I somehow personally have a harder time believing that men are less attracted to women on the pill; how do they know?  I'd like to learn more about that part.  Curious.

Yeah, I have a hard time believing that too.
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: Nodaisho on 13 Jan 2008, 20:07
Well consider that the sense of smell is stronger for human females than it is for males.
Really? Could you link me to a study on that? I would hate to have a more sensitive nose than I already have, it is freakish.

And I thought Jeph hated puns. Did he come over to the dark side?

This is a really interesting idea, I want to keep an eye on the studies, I don't have any experience to speak from though.
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: PacoSees on 13 Jan 2008, 20:24
Really?  That's beyond weird.  I should conduct a poll around campus; just walk around and ask guys if they think I'm on the pill or not. 

Were you less attracted to those 6 girls you knew were on the pill?

No, I think I was equally as attracted, but if you give me a couple days, I can recall better.

I'm actually curious about what would happen if you went around asking random guys like that.
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: captain zoe on 13 Jan 2008, 20:32
Yeah.  I'm sure it would procure some really weird ass results.  Or probably some even weirder responses. 
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: Slick on 13 Jan 2008, 21:04
For the record, the article is not about pheromones, but scents, which are kind of different. Pheromones are often abused in pop-science and science fiction, but they aren't what this study is about.

I also think what Jimmy said was that smell is better at triggering emotional/nostalgic responses than regular conditioning because of how it is tied in with the limbic system. It produces responses that we don't immediately intellectually recognize as being something since our smell isn't nearly as fine-tuned as our vision and hearing. So, yes, it is conditioning, but it hits you emotionally and kind of sub-consciously.
I personally find scent to be incredibly powerful at bringing back memories, specifically sad and melancholy ones. I had to find paths that avoided walking past one lady's cubicle at work because of her perfume, else I'd feel like crap while we ate lunch.

Smell obviously doesn't always work (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7182817.stm), though.

And remember that while you read the article, it is an article about someone's research, not the person's research. I think it is not balderdash, though it's importance may have been overplayed.
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: Boro_Bandito on 13 Jan 2008, 21:12
stay away from pheromones, and sex panther while we're at it.


Wash and be clean, smell nice and people will talk to you, smell bad and they'll make fun of you and not talk to you.
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: Johnny C on 13 Jan 2008, 21:17
I dunno dude, I was pretty sweaty around the time of this photo (http://photos-511.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v182/148/53/122100511/n122100511_30143761_4107.jpg) and as you can see I am a total stud.
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: Boro_Bandito on 13 Jan 2008, 21:23
at that moment your overpowering sense of rock far outweighed a little bit of B.O.


duh.
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: Slick on 13 Jan 2008, 21:31
That guy standing next to you is obviously dry like <awful mom joke stricken> because he is all kinds of not-rock.
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: Johnny C on 13 Jan 2008, 21:33
He is actually rocking but he reins it in, favouring instead things like "staying in tune" and "playing the right notes."
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: leperphiliac on 14 Jan 2008, 22:36
In my own experience I've noticed a strong connection to the way a person smells and my level of attraction to them. Once, in high school, I was sitting next to the boy I was dating and waves of scent were coming off him. At the time I thought it was the sexiest thing ever. That's just one example.

I like the theory that overzealous bathing is causing people to need prolonged close physical contact to sniff each other out, but another possibility is that bathing makes it possible - who wants to smooch someone who smells like rotten feet and armpits?
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: normz on 14 Jan 2008, 23:56
Even in regards to things like fragrance I find certain things can be super super sexy, for example I work in the cosmetics section of a department store and if a cute guy comes in looking for a cologne I will flirt with him and jokingly make him smell my 'top-5 fragrances that make me want to jump a man and tear his clothes off'... because seriously there are fragrances out there that can drive me crazy and make me look at a normally 'average'  guy twice
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: Johnny C on 15 Jan 2008, 00:03
Please ship these scents to me by the crate.
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: normz on 15 Jan 2008, 00:09
go out and find them yourself

1. Allure Home Sport-Chanel
2. L'homme - YSL
3. Dunhill Desire
4. Issey Miyake
5. Pleasures- Estee Lauder (the mens one obviously not the ladies)

other faves include Attitude by Giorgio Armani and Higher by Christian Dior
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: Boro_Bandito on 15 Jan 2008, 00:15
Numerous lurkers on this forum literally jumped up out of their chairs to go buy cologne just now, you do realize that don't you?
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: Patrick on 15 Jan 2008, 03:16
Damn, I'm going to have to consider this, now.

'Cept I'm poor as fuck and can't afford Chanel nor Yves Saint-Laurent. DAMN it.
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: BrittanyMarie on 15 Jan 2008, 04:01
I'm pretty sure they're all expensive, but mostly worth it.

As for the research, I think it totally makes sense though I would LOVE to get the actual data from some of the studies. Obviously it isn't the One Major Factor in finding a dude or a lady, but a part of a complex thing. I relate to it though, in that after I get a boy I find I am usually more attracted to him before he showers, or at night after a long day. Those same boys love to snuggle with their noses at the bottom back of my head/top of my neck. I have real thick hair and tend sweat when I'm trekkin' to class in negative degrees with a billion layers on, so I'm guessing it's probably kinda smelly too. However, I'm entirely sure I would not feel the same about a dude with BO who I was meeting for the first time.
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: IronOxide on 15 Jan 2008, 04:03
So Normz, what's the very sexiest fragrance for men under five dollars, though?

Those other ones seem European, and European is expensive.
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: calenlass on 15 Jan 2008, 04:53
Guys I have never experimented with fragrances much because almost all of them (except, like, Old Spice) make me sneeze like a motherfuck. I am really curious, though, because there have been one or two things that I have smelled on dudes that were musky and ...rougher*, I guess? less smooth scents, anyway, that were nice because they didn't make me sneeze that I liked a lot. What are some, I guess?



*The quality makes me think of rough textures, and my brain tries to infer a reason for this, so my hypothesis is that the scent particle things are larger than in others and thus do not affect my sinuses so much? The way grass pollen is tiny and lots of people are allergic to it but almost no one is allergic to conifers because to get pine pollen in your nose you would have to snort it.
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: Chrasstor on 15 Jan 2008, 04:56
(http://www.99perfume-wholesale.com/image/ADIDAS_MOVES_M.jpg)


You guys know you had a bottle of this shit in like 6th grade.
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: öde on 15 Jan 2008, 05:08
there have been one or two things that I have smelled on dudes that were musky and ...rougher*, I guess?

That is where you have straight up smelled a man.

I'm not really into deoderant and stuff but I have some nice aftershave that I wear occasionally.
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: Patrick on 15 Jan 2008, 05:37
Idunno about you, but I'd be happy with just one of 'em.
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: Lunchbox on 15 Jan 2008, 05:50
It's okay dudes, I don't have asthma.
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: Cam on 15 Jan 2008, 08:37
(except, like, Old Spice)

Ah yes, there is nothing quite like reminding your date of that creepy uncle that always wanted to touch her in the no-no places.
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: Lines on 15 Jan 2008, 08:54
Boys who smell like clean laundry always smell better than guys wearing cologne to me. Even chlorine smells better, but this is because the smell of chlorine makes me feel happy.
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: PacoSees on 15 Jan 2008, 08:59
My first girlfriend washed all of her clothes with Downey (Downy?).

Whenever I smell it now, my tent-making abilities increase.
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: 0bsessions on 15 Jan 2008, 09:02
(http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/movie/gallery/1170017/photo_03.jpg)
?
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: Valrus on 15 Jan 2008, 09:04
Quote
Whenever I smell it now, my tent-making abilities increase.

You should... go camping?  :|

Also holy shit, did that guy figured out how to shot web?
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: cupcakeonastick on 15 Jan 2008, 09:07
I don't know why that Iron Man picture was posted, but it just made this thread a lot better.

Also, I agree with the clean/laundry smell on guys. Cologne does nothing for me.
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: Johnny C on 15 Jan 2008, 09:11
It's okay dudes, I don't have asthma.

(http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/6108/miamiviceboatsscarabzm1.jpg)
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: jhocking on 15 Jan 2008, 10:08
I don't know why that Iron Man picture was posted

oh come on this isn't hard

My first girlfriend washed all of her clothes with Downey
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: SevenPinkerton on 15 Jan 2008, 10:34
I'm super sensitive to smells, to the point of me completely avoiding laundry detergent and cleaning aisles in stores as artificial and toxic chemicals = me getting a headache. Needless to say, I'm a huge fan of my organic housekeeping book and non-toxic products.

As a result, I can't stand guys that smell artificial. Cologne or shampoo that is made of cheap ingredients sticks out to me from a long distance away. If as guy is cleaning his clothes with too much detergent, my body will say "Toxic alert! don't touch!"

I love the smell of dirt and sweat and natural smells, though. I guess I like dirty boys.
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: cupcakeonastick on 15 Jan 2008, 10:40
I don't know why that Iron Man picture was posted

oh come on this isn't hard

My first girlfriend washed all of her clothes with Downey

Ahh, I missed the typo.
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: Paav on 15 Jan 2008, 11:33
There's nothing better than half a can of Axe. Don't even try to argue about this!
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Oh, sorry the marketers got me there for a minute.
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: Lines on 15 Jan 2008, 11:47
Quote
Whenever I smell it now, my tent-making abilities increase.

You should... go camping?  :|

I thought it meant the kind of tent that guys make in their pants.

(Please tell me that what you meant, Valrus.)
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: jhocking on 15 Jan 2008, 11:49
You want him to explain that?
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: Lines on 15 Jan 2008, 11:56
I don't want him to explain it, Joe. I'm pretty sure most people know what an erection is. A simple yes or no would suffice. Way to make it awkward.
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: SevenPinkerton on 15 Jan 2008, 12:01
^ I learn best with fully illustrated pictures.
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: OrigNES on 15 Jan 2008, 12:03
Man if those are the colognes chicks are into these days I'm way off, I just wear Joop.
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: Patrick on 15 Jan 2008, 12:12
I usually just walk around sporting a massive bare erection everywhere I go. But you know my luck with women.
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: Boro_Bandito on 15 Jan 2008, 17:55
oh god its like middle school again.
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: normz on 15 Jan 2008, 18:37
Man if those are the colognes chicks are into these days I'm way off, I just wear Joop.


*shudders* thats pretty much on par with old spice in my book

but hey i dunno the scents i like are the really nice clean fresh ones, not really strong overly musky or woody ones

...thats what turns me on but hey everyone is different
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: SevenPinkerton on 15 Jan 2008, 19:53
the only cologne I enjoy is Burt's Bees Bay Rum Cologne. Yum.
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: calenlass on 15 Jan 2008, 20:26
Burt's Bees makes cologne?
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: Johnny C on 15 Jan 2008, 20:43
Valrus, please return and demonstrate to the class what an erection is.

I hope you brought enough erection for everyone.

It is rude to stick your erection underneath the desk. The janitor does not want to clean it up.
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: Scandanavian War Machine on 16 Jan 2008, 01:53
to get back on topic for a moment:
i knew this was fairly legit but was still a little skeptical about to what extent it really goes but as of today is has been proven in my mind.

so i've been friends with this girl for several years now and never really thought of her in any other way than a good friend. i mean, i thought she was pretty and cool etc. but was never really attracted to her. well, for the last couple weeks i've been unnaturally attracted to her and i could not figure out why.
so today i asked her if she had recently switched shampoo/soap/deodorant/etc. and it turns out she changed all of the above and started taking Prozac. it was right around the time i noticed myself being attracted to her, too.

coincidence? could be, but i don't think so.

anyway, that's my two cents on the matter.
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: Boro_Bandito on 16 Jan 2008, 02:24
wait, isn't Prozac an anti-depressant?(yes it is thank you internet) Maybe you're more attracted to her simply because she's in a better mood?
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: mooface on 16 Jan 2008, 05:53
so, my previous post in this thread was me (mostly) joking.  but yesterday i got back to rome and one of my boyfriend's presents for me actually was perfume!  i put it on and he was all "mmm, you smell sexy, let's do it"!

maybe it is really the perfume he loves and not me :(
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: OrigNES on 16 Jan 2008, 07:16
Man if those are the colognes chicks are into these days I'm way off, I just wear Joop.


*shudders* thats pretty much on par with old spice in my book


now that was just low, I mean it be nice to have Bruce Campbell doing commercials for Joop, but yea it is becoming a find anywhere cologne now. But the scent remains the same and I continue with it.
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: Eli on 16 Jan 2008, 08:11
I like how my boyfriend smells at the end of the day or in the morning than after he takes a shower. I'm not sure what soap or shampoo he uses, but he's scentless after showers. I tell him I love how he smells a lot. I use body wash that smells either like honeysuckle or vanilla sugar, but I only get compliments when I haven't washed my hair in a couple days since I wash it every three days.

Old spice is definitely the worst smell someone can have except maybe BO. Axe can be bad too if you wear too much.

On the debate about how much scent plays a role in choosing a mate, my boyfriend and I met online. When we met, we had awesome chemistry and now living with him, I'm even more attracted to him. Maybe scent plays a small role? I mean, it's kinda like how scientists once said that women like rough, burly men? Obviously that's not totally true, but to a certain degree it is.
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: Darkbluerabbit on 16 Jan 2008, 08:16
I wore Old Spice for a while in high school.  I got a respectable amount of action while wearing it too.   
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: Ozymandias on 16 Jan 2008, 08:21
...but...wait, what?
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: Barmymoo on 16 Jan 2008, 08:35
maybe it is really the perfume he loves and not me :(

I'm fairly sure that if you put the perfume on an old, wrinkly man, he would still find you sexier.
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: thepugs on 16 Jan 2008, 08:37
A surprising number of chicks I know (particularly my fiancée) for some reason love the hell out of Old Spice.

Another one of them likes to use the body wash occasionally, so darkbluerabbit, you're not alone.
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: jhocking on 16 Jan 2008, 08:46
Yeah my fiancee got me Old Spice body wash to use instead of showering with soap.

maybe it is really the perfume he loves and not me :(
He likes that perfume because it reminds him of his other girlfriend.
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: Lines on 16 Jan 2008, 09:04
Joe Hocking: Making girls cry since 1879.
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: Patrick on 16 Jan 2008, 09:24
I'm fairly sure that if you put the perfume on an old, wrinkly man, he would still find you sexier.

Hi, there, I'm Patrick. I see that you're new to the internet! Let me show you around.
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: jhocking on 16 Jan 2008, 09:49
Joe Hocking: Making girls cry since 18791979.
*ahem* I'm not that old.
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: StMonkey on 16 Jan 2008, 11:26
That is fabulous pagebreak material right there...
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: jhocking on 16 Jan 2008, 11:30
She is very convincing as a greasy biker.
Title: Re: scents determining sex appeal
Post by: tania on 16 Jan 2008, 20:02
hey fuck you! everyone agreed my costume was best!