# Ladies how do you feel about man sweat? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 19, 2007, 10:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-how-do-you-feel-about-man-sweat/419726 "2007-09-19T10:27:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 10:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-how-do-you-feel-about-man-sweat/419726/1 "2007-09-19T10:27:56Z")
Inspired (perspired ?) by [this article](http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20836711/site/newsweek/?GT1=10357), I’m curious. There are times when I’ve been working vigorously at something physical and have then had to leave the house for an errand. I’ve never been aware of any woman giving me the eye or nose. Perhaps I’m in the “stale urine” group. :eek: Any wimmin Dopers aware of a particularly strong positive response to a sweaty man? Cartooniverse ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-how-do-you-feel-about-man-sweat/419726/2 "2007-09-19T11:33:02Z")
I’ll tell you after I squeegee a big cup of my man juices into a cup so I can pass it under the noses of every female that walks by. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-how-do-you-feel-about-man-sweat/419726/3 "2007-09-19T11:48:08Z")
> [@article](#): > > human marketers have jumped on the androstenone bandwagon, hawking male deodorants and sprays that promise to make men irresistible to women. Axe? Clean sweat is good. Rank sweat is bad. Sweaty socks are YUCKY! ---
**Author:** ![Tapiotar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3be4f8/32.png) [@Tapiotar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapiotar)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-how-do-you-feel-about-man-sweat/419726/4 "2007-09-19T13:50:16Z")
I think that the article oversimplifies. Even with matters of hygiene and even diet being equal, some men smell good to me and some men don’t. I think it’s a matter of biochemical compatibility. No matter how much you find someone attractive or compatible in other ways, if you don’t smell good to each other, the sexual/romantic relationship won’t work. The pleasure of wearing a boyfriend’s clothes is partly because the shirt or sweater smells like him… ---
**Author:** ![Autolycus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@Autolycus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autolycus)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-how-do-you-feel-about-man-sweat/419726/5 "2007-09-19T14:58:57Z")
Here I thought going to the gym was a good way to get in shape and meet women, and now I find out that I probably smell like stale urine. Fuck it all. ---
**Author:** ![chaoticbear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@chaoticbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chaoticbear)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-how-do-you-feel-about-man-sweat/419726/6 "2007-09-19T17:01:19Z")
I usually like it. When attractive men walk by me, I sometimes sniff just a little bit to check for that delicious musky aroma. But some people who sweat and don’t bathe or whatever it is that makes them smell like the football field house don’t do it for me. ---
**Author:** ![Renee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/renee/32/287_2.png) [@Renee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renee)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-how-do-you-feel-about-man-sweat/419726/7 "2007-09-19T18:22:51Z")
I didn’t read the article, but I think it may have to do with how long the sweat has been on a person. My husband showers at least twice a day, so when he’s sweaty it smells like sweat, not disgusting, filthy man, and I just like the way he smells to begin with, so it works. ---
**Author:** ![irishgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@irishgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irishgirl)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-how-do-you-feel-about-man-sweat/419726/8 "2007-09-19T18:23:29Z")
I love my husband’s smell. He always smells good to me. He especially smells good after he has walked home from work and is freshly sweaty. The thing I remember most about attractive men is the way they smell, rarely is it about a particular brand of cologne (although Helmut Lang’s Cuiron and L’Eau D’Issey Miyake are good), usually it’s just a sense that they smelt _good_. That’s probably also why my idea of “attractive” is rarely the same as “classically good looking”. Oddly, I’m someone who really doesn’t like the smell of vanilla…or at least I like real vanilla, but find that artifical “vanilla” scents make me feel queasy. I vaguely remember reading somewhere that most people find the scent of vanilla to be an aphrodisiac…I’d rather have bergamot. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-how-do-you-feel-about-man-sweat/419726/9 "2007-09-19T19:34:32Z")
[QUOTE=linked article] and esoteric odors like methanethiol, a man-made scent that is similar to the smell of urine after a person has eaten asparagus. [/QUOTE] Is this really what you’re doing with that fancy college degree? Thanks for helping out mankind there buddy. COME ON! “How was work today dear?” “Great, we made a scent that smells like urine, after you’ve eaten asparagus!” “That’s so hot! Do me now Mr. MAN!” ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-how-do-you-feel-about-man-sweat/419726/10 "2007-09-19T19:42:05Z")
I am generally not enthused with sweat, but I remember positively swooning once early in our relationship when my husband finished with a 5-mile run. Athletic and sweaty is hotness. However, like **irishgirl** , I always love my husband’s smell. It might be different with another guy. ETA: LOL **Zebra.** ---
**Author:** ![brownie55](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f14d63/32.png) [@brownie55](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brownie55)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-how-do-you-feel-about-man-sweat/419726/11 "2007-09-19T19:46:13Z")
[QUOTE=irishgirl] snip Oddly, I’m someone who really doesn’t like the smell of vanilla..or at least I like real vanilla, but find that artifical “vanilla” scents make me feel queasy. I vaguely remember reading somewhere that most people find the scent of vanilla to be an aphrodisiac…I’d rather have **bergamot**. [/QUOTE] Brings a whole new meaning to “Tea, Earl Grey, Hot.” ---
**Author:** ![FordPrefect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e99b99/32.png) [@FordPrefect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FordPrefect)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-how-do-you-feel-about-man-sweat/419726/12 "2007-09-19T20:07:29Z")
[QUOTE=Zebra] Is this really what you’re doing with that fancy college degree? Thanks for helping out mankind there buddy. COME ON! “How was work today dear?” “Great, we made a scent that smells like urine, after you’ve eaten asparagus!” “That’s so hot! Do me now Mr. MAN!” [/QUOTE] Helping mankind? Hell no, that guy is singlehandedly making the “cool” guys smell like urinated asparagus! He’s firing the shot that will be heard around the world for every geek that was shoved in a locker in high school. More power to him. Revenge used to be a dish best served cold, but now it may be a dish best served via body spray. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-how-do-you-feel-about-man-sweat/419726/13 "2007-09-19T21:04:13Z")
I actually just learned about “man sweat” a couple years ago. See, my dad does not stink when he sweats. Honest-to-Og, he doesn’t even wear deodorant. He’s always been the most active guy I know. My brother may or may not stink when he sweats but he is always showering and wearing some sort of scent…not to mention we don’t work side-by-side much. I’ve also always dated sort of…lazy dudes. And dudes who I would think made sure that they showered before they come over. So a few summers ago I worked on a construction project with a bunch of middle-aged guys. This is where I “discovered” the scent of a man. I was not a fan!! Oddly enough, I started a karate class this summer in which I am in VERY close proximity with some VERY sweaty guys. But they manage not to really stink at all. This is sort of confusing to me because those construction guys definitely stank of sweat and these karate guys don’t. Perhaps it’s an age thing? Anyway…not a fan of BO. ---
**Author:** ![SlowMindThinking](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@SlowMindThinking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlowMindThinking)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-how-do-you-feel-about-man-sweat/419726/14 "2007-09-19T22:04:50Z")
[QUOTE=ZipperJJ] … Oddly enough, I started a karate class this summer in which I am in VERY close proximity with some VERY sweaty guys. But they manage not to really stink at all. This is sort of confusing to me because those construction guys definitely stank of sweat and these karate guys don’t. Perhaps it’s an age thing? Anyway…not a fan of BO. [/QUOTE] It is more a thing of how old the sweat is. Karate guys = fresh new sweat that isn’t skanky yet. Middle-age construction guy sweat = a few hours old. For what it is worth, I’ve gone for a 5 mile run, sat in a crowded natatorium, and told the woman friends sitting around, “Let me know if I’m ripe, and I’ll hop in the shower, otherwise, I’ll wait until I’m home.” It is always “Oh, no, you’re fine.” I ran at home, step in the door, and it is “Take a shower. You stink.” ---
**Author:** ![FaerieBeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e95f7d/32.png) [@FaerieBeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FaerieBeth)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-how-do-you-feel-about-man-sweat/419726/15 "2007-09-19T22:27:56Z")
I think **Nava** is right, and there is a difference between sweat on a clean person and sweat on a nasty, hygienically challenged person. I’m hoping the researchers were testing that whole “clean sweat” area. And to answer the OP, I think my husband smells fabulous when sweaty. I’ve always just attributed it to classical conditioning, though (sex ensues --\> Husband sweats --\> Orgasm, so Husband sweats -----\>Sex time!) ---
**Author:** ![tremorviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@tremorviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tremorviolet)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-how-do-you-feel-about-man-sweat/419726/16 "2007-09-19T23:07:18Z")
[QUOTE=Zebra] Is this really what you’re doing with that fancy college degree? Thanks for helping out mankind there buddy. COME ON! “How was work today dear?” “Great, we made a scent that smells like urine, after you’ve eaten asparagus!” “That’s so hot! Do me now Mr. MAN!” [/QUOTE] Thta’s actually not as random as it sounds. Asparagus has long been noted for the pecular and marked influence it has on the odor of urine. Cecil’s explanation: [asparagus urine](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_383.html). ---
**Author:** ![treis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@treis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/treis)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2007, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-how-do-you-feel-about-man-sweat/419726/17 "2007-09-20T00:16:00Z")
[QUOTE=SlowMindThinking] It is more a thing of how old the sweat is. Karate guys = fresh new sweat that isn’t skanky yet. Middle-age construction guy sweat = a few hours old. For what it is worth, I’ve gone for a 5 mile run, sat in a crowded natatorium, and told the woman friends sitting around, “Let me know if I’m ripe, and I’ll hop in the shower, otherwise, I’ll wait until I’m home.” It is always “Oh, no, you’re fine.” I ran at home, step in the door, and it is “Take a shower. You stink.” [/QUOTE] Have you considered that your friends might be sparing your feelings? ---
**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2007, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-how-do-you-feel-about-man-sweat/419726/18 "2007-09-20T00:39:43Z")
Musky odors are appealing. When it starts turning to duck butter, it’s shower time. ---
**Author:** ![Autolycus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@Autolycus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autolycus)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2007, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-how-do-you-feel-about-man-sweat/419726/19 "2007-09-20T04:19:31Z")
[QUOTE=FaerieBeth] And to answer the OP, I think my husband smells fabulous when sweaty. I’ve always just attributed it to classical conditioning, though (sex ensues –\> Husband sweats –\> Orgasm, so Husband sweats -----\>Sex time!) [/QUOTE] Wouldn’t it only be classical conditioning if the chain of events was Husband sweats —\> sex ensues —\> orgasm, so husband sweats —\> sex time! I’m a psychology major lol, so I really shouldn’t be confused about this. I mean the Pavlov thing was bell –\> food appears —\> salivate. Then eventually it becomes bell —\> salivation. The first response disappears, not the initial stimulus. Whatever. It’s a type of assocation/conditioning in any case, but I felt like hijacking. Btw, I’m a karate man 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2007, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-how-do-you-feel-about-man-sweat/419726/20 "2007-09-20T04:22:15Z")
[QUOTE=Autolycus] Btw, I’m a karate man 🆒 [/QUOTE] [I always figured you for the type…](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNSr0B7cJQw) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-how-do-you-feel-about-man-sweat/419726.md?page=2)