# Haunting Aroma **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 26, 2024, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haunting-aroma/1010813 "2024-11-26T16:55:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haunting-aroma/1010813/21 "2024-11-27T00:14:44Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > They absolutely are. I’m not sure if anyone has come up with a good explanation for why this is true, but it definitely is. > > For me, the smell of pine trees evokes two completely different but equally vivid memories. The most intense is the smell of a Christmas tree when first brought into the house. As a small kid, I wanted to help my Dad set it up but mostly I just jumped around in delight. But also, our country cottage was surrounded by many pine trees, some of them amazingly big, and the faint smell of pine, especially at night or after a rain shower, was heavenly. I sometimes get faint hints of it sitting on my front porch from the evergreen shrubs. > > Some time ago I put some frozen sausage rolls in the oven and after a little while I got a very distinct hit of “Christmas morning smell”. It was the pastry baking. This one is a real mystery because I don’t recall either my parents or anyone else baking things on Christmas morning, yet somehow that powerful memory smell persists! Those are endearing memories. Smells connect us to the past is some unexpected ways. ---
**Author:** ![Jaycat.again](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat.again/32/11525_2.png) [@Jaycat.again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaycat.again)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haunting-aroma/1010813/22 "2024-11-27T00:17:54Z")
When I used to work in print shops there was often a very pleasing smell of banana oil. I never found out if it was somehow related to a chemical used in printing. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haunting-aroma/1010813/23 "2024-11-27T01:21:15Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > I’m not sure if anyone has come up with a good explanation for why this is true, but it definitely is. IIRC, the olfactory sensors are located deep up in the middle of the skull, basically nestled against the brain itself. The physical proximity causes close connections of memories and smells. One for me is the smell of a freshly-opened pack of Magic: The Gathering cards. I haven’t played in almost 20 years, but that smell will take me back to the B. Dalton Booksellers in Clackamas Town Center in 1994 where I spent my allowance on one starter pack and one booster pack. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haunting-aroma/1010813/24 "2024-11-27T01:39:17Z")
In second grade I smelled a scratch-and-sniff sticker of a hamburger. It was at the time the most revolting thing I’d ever smelled and remains a top contender. For _decades_ after I could bring to mind the smell, despite not having ever physically smelled it since. I had to practice pushing the memory from my mind due to its repulsive nature. Somehow I eventually lost the ability to recall it. Thank Christ. Although typing this now, I can almost feel it coming back. I need to stop writing before it does. ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haunting-aroma/1010813/25 "2024-11-27T02:07:31Z")
> [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > In second grade I smelled a scratch-and-sniff sticker of a hamburger. It was at the time the most revolting thing I’d ever smelled and remains a top contender. > > For _decades_ after I could bring to mind the smell, despite not having ever physically smelled it since. I had to practice pushing the memory from my mind due to its repulsive nature. > > Somehow I eventually lost the ability to recall it. Thank Christ. Although typing this now, I can almost feel it coming back. I need to stop writing before it does. A scratch and sniff hamburger sticker = decades of aroma. Now that is a lifelong aroma torment lol. I don’t think I’ve ever read anything that calculates how long aroma memory can hang on in a person’s life. I’ll bet your happy it’s gone. I work in child welfare and learned quickly to use Vick’s when entering some places. Thankfully I have been able to “forget” those smells.(Mostly) ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haunting-aroma/1010813/26 "2024-11-27T02:25:41Z")
I’ve always believed aromas are permanent part of your memory center. I can tell you my Mother’s scent, altho’ she’s been dead most of my life. She wore 'White shoulders" perfume. If I smell it anywhere, I immediately turn into scared little beck, behind her skirts. ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haunting-aroma/1010813/27 "2024-11-27T02:29:45Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I’ve always believed aromas are permanent part of your memory center. > > I can tell you my Mother’s scent, altho’ she’s been dead most of my life. > She wore 'White shoulders" perfume. > > If I smell it anywhere, I immediately turn into scared little beck, behind her skirts. Yes - a good way to describe it. A permanent part of your memory. For many, many years after my mother died I would randomly smell her face cream. It was a soft, fresh scent that immediately calmed me. I think it was Lander’s face cream? Maybe it was hand cream. I can’t recall. It stopped about 10 - 15 years ago. Haven’t smelled it since. Maybe it was replaced by my winter ghost aroma? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haunting-aroma/1010813/28 "2024-11-27T02:35:17Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > behind her skirts. Today, girls of the future will remember Lume. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Kron](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kron/32/12444_2.png) [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haunting-aroma/1010813/29 "2024-11-27T06:27:13Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > new asphalt The smell of asphalt being laid is nostalgic to me. I spent a summer working as a gofer for an asphalt contractor (I was 11). Bought my Sega Genesis with that job! ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 8:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haunting-aroma/1010813/30 "2024-11-27T08:56:34Z")
Tobacco smoke. But not all tobacco smoke, just that first whiff of a freshly lit cigarette. I haven’t smoked in over 25 years, but that takes me back. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haunting-aroma/1010813/31 "2024-11-27T15:45:53Z")
When I came home from work on Monday the aroma of roasting pumpkins made me realize Thanksgiving was coming up fast. My gf had the oven full of pie pumpkins that eventually were pureed in my food processor and stored for future use. I spent 90 minutes cleaning up the kitchen (my gf was still “at work” and we had plans for after she was done) but I was smiling the entire time due to the aroma. ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haunting-aroma/1010813/32 "2024-11-27T15:54:40Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > When I came home from work on Monday the aroma of roasting pumpkins made me realize Thanksgiving was coming up fast. My gf had the oven full of pie pumpkins that eventually were pureed in my food processor and stored for future use. > > I spent 90 minutes cleaning up the kitchen (my gf was still “at work” and we had plans for after she was done) but I was smiling the entire time due to the aroma. I love the smells of Thanksgiving. I am heading out to Winchester in a couple hours. I am sure my cousin’s house will be full of lovely aromas. My house smells like clean laundry and old tech. And, of course, my mystery winter ghost aroma lol. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haunting-aroma/1010813/33 "2024-11-27T16:12:38Z")
Interesting aroma in our yard at 2:30 am this morning. Our old dog Loki wakes me up every night around 2 or 3 to go out to pee. This morning she was acting all antsy, like she does if there are raccoons in the yard. She nearly pulled the leash out of my hand and I smelled a very “gamey” odor. I saw a big shape move quickly away from the area where our bird-feeders usually hang (we take them in overnight). Damn bear! Loki eventually settled down and peed. ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haunting-aroma/1010813/34 "2024-11-27T16:17:46Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Interesting aroma in our yard at 2:30 am this morning. Our old dog Loki wakes me up every night around 2 or 3 to go out to pee. This morning she was acting all antsy, like she does if there are raccoons in the yard. > > She nearly pulled the leash out of my hand and I smelled a very “gamey” odor. I saw a big shape move quickly away from the area where our bird-feeders usually hang (we take them in overnight). Damn bear! Loki eventually settled down and peed. Yikes! Early morning/late night aromas and escaping gamey smelling big shapes would give me a bit of a heart skip. Man to have the nose skills of our dogs! Glad that all is calm. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haunting-aroma/1010813/35 "2024-11-27T16:43:05Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Damn bear! Google [“cat” and “black bear”](https://www.google.com/search?num=10&client=safari&sca_esv=2ba1e0c14cc8627a&rls=en&q=cat+%22black+bear%22&udm=7&fbs=AEQNm0Aa4sjWe7Rqy32pFwRj0UkWd8nbOJfsBGGB5IQQO6L3J7pRxUp2pI1mXV9fBsfh39JqJxzRlphkmT2MeVSzs3MQEN5DgZmMeykT7pJra3boNLZnu_5tndbt0B1M3XLn1qbCrHVm5u-tncY-lmea9PiStNZ9eJS94DUI766pUVC1fpio1ZP_3qV2amahtpN19jVnfw-T_BjghPRTftMGLk6z20h08A&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjemp3j-fyJAxUnIDQIHeemKa0QtKgLegQIGhAB&biw=1333&bih=800&dpr=2). The newest one, which I saw yesterday, is on Facebook so some people might not be able to see it. Anyway… [Cat Squares Up Against Black Bear](https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1106120931071792) (Video has narration.) ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haunting-aroma/1010813/36 "2024-11-27T17:14:49Z")
Oh the _bear_ smell. It is an aroma alright! @kayaker your pumpkin aroma story was nice. And tobacco smoke smell. I loved my Daddy’s pipe. I still have his pipes, some of his suits. I can detect the faint smell from them, mixed with his aftershave. Makes me cry thinking on it. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haunting-aroma/1010813/37 "2024-11-27T19:40:31Z")
When my daughter was in first grade, she was outside for recess and older kids walked by, smoking. My daughter’s friend told her the smell in the air was drugs. She told her friend, “that’s not drugs, that’s what daddy smells like”. (Her teacher was a friend of mine and told me the story) Up to that point I thought I was very cautious about aroma. I only smoked outside. My daughter is 34 now. Although she doesn’t use cannabis, the aroma is one she finds pleasant. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haunting-aroma/1010813/38 "2024-11-27T19:48:34Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I’ve always believed aromas are permanent part of your memory center. > > I can tell you my Mother’s scent, altho’ she’s been dead most of my life. > She wore 'White shoulders" perfume. > > If I smell it anywhere, I immediately turn into scared little beck, behind her skirts. “White Shoulders” was the fragrance I fell in love with Lorita to 47 years ago (yesterday was the 41st anniversary of our wedding). (And I’ve always held a tiny grudge against Toni Morrison because in the novel _Waiting to Exhale_ she had one of her characters call it “nasty.”) Anyway, Lorita loved all kinds of fragrances, but I always made sure she ALWAYS had some White Shoulders on hand. > [@Ellecram](#): > > Man to have the nose skills of our dogs! When I was in the Navy, Lorita preceded me back to the mainland by about two years. While she lived alone, her first guide dog died and a couple of months before I came home, she got a new one, Cassidy. Cassidy found one of my old Dixie cups (that’s what we called crackerjack-type sailor hats) in amongst things, and it became one of her favorite toys, redolent with the smells of submarine stank, diesel fuel, and kaylasdad sweat. She loved me at first sniff. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haunting-aroma/1010813/39 "2024-11-27T20:12:59Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > My daughter’s friend told her the smell in the air was drugs. When a young kid, maybe 10?, an older boy mentioned that the odor around the dry cleaner place reminded him of marijuana smoke from his mom’s boyfriend or something. But for years, I though that pot would smell like dry cleaning chems and I’m sure I make some idiotic comments about it while confidently spreading that rumor. ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2024, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haunting-aroma/1010813/40 "2024-11-28T04:52:00Z")
You don’t mention where you live - that could be relevant. It’s the smell of "snow coming’ that does it for me. And the smell of burning dust the first time you fire up the heater in the fall. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haunting-aroma/1010813.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haunting-aroma/1010813.md?page=3)