# So, is this really gross? or My goodness I'm smelly! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 5, 2003, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-really-gross-or-my-goodness-im-smelly/179720 "2003-06-05T00:15:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2003, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-really-gross-or-my-goodness-im-smelly/179720/1 "2003-06-05T00:15:26Z")
So I just decided to walk the last 20 blocks home, just for a bit of exercise and fresh air. It’s pretty warm, and I was going a pretty good pace and hence, I got sort of sweaty - apparently this means that I’m in good shape. Anyhoo - got home, disrobed and realized that my armpits smell like - well, armpits. Now, I’m about to go hop in the shower to freshen up, but I was wondering ladies, fellas - is a smelly preson gross, even if they have a ligit reason for being smelly? Or does the immediate completion of exercise mitigate the gross-out factor? Personally, when my SO bikes over here, I sorta dig the manly odor associated with the ride - I imagine after about 3 hours of stewing in funk it wouldn’t be quite so appealing, but right after the ride, it’s all good. So - as I go to my shower, please ponder the question and provide thoughts. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Marathon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7cd45c/32.png) [@Marathon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marathon)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2003, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-really-gross-or-my-goodness-im-smelly/179720/2 "2003-06-05T00:25:32Z")
I certainly HOPE that a _little_ bit o’ funk is OK, provided that the reason is legit. I was at the gym this afternoon, and, much to my dismay, I discovered after my workout that there was NO HOT WATER. NONE! At the GYM! I went to the steamroom anyway, and then kind of splashed a bit of ice-cold water on my person to get a half-assed kind of rinse going. I hate cold showers. Then, like you, I walked home from work - a 3-mile, 40-minute brisk walk. And now, I’ll be the second person in a row to submit and immediately step into a (warm) shower! ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2003, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-really-gross-or-my-goodness-im-smelly/179720/3 "2003-06-05T00:28:53Z")
OK, back and newly washed. I’m now as fresh as the morning dew… anyhow. So - is the funk just “allright” - as in barely tolerable, and boy you better get yer butt in the shower ASAP, or is it a bit appealing? Or is it totally nasty ass gross and women aren’t supposed to sweat and why on earth would you start this gross thread? ---
**Author:** ![Govindha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/5fc32e/32.png) [@Govindha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Govindha)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2003, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-really-gross-or-my-goodness-im-smelly/179720/4 "2003-06-05T00:48:47Z")
I like funk. my wife hates it and must shower everyday. I like to go everyother day or so. I enjoy the natural smell of a person. A woman that doesn’t shave armpits and is a bit smelly is such a turnon. Now i don’t mean so smelly one runs dogs off, but a certain smell is great. Why cover it up with a scent so unnatural and strong it’s obvious one is trying to hide soimething. I don’t know, I think a little smell is fine. Let’s all go for it. Don’t shower this weekend if work allows it. Come on, get back to basics and put down that deodorant bar, soap and perfume. Lets stink up the joint… ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2003, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-really-gross-or-my-goodness-im-smelly/179720/5 "2003-06-05T01:02:50Z")
Ok _THATS_ a little more smell than I like, personally… ---
**Author:** ![Marathon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7cd45c/32.png) [@Marathon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marathon)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2003, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-really-gross-or-my-goodness-im-smelly/179720/6 "2003-06-05T01:05:44Z")
I’m back, clean, damp, and deodorized. As for my personal preference, I think some nice, clean sweat smell is hot, _hot, **HOT** _. As a matter of fact, I think I’ll go out tonight to a club and pick up a guy who knows how to dance and sweat. Or not. I’ve got an apartment to clean. **Govindha** , sounds like an interesting experiment! I have zero plans for the weekend, so unless I go clubbin’ (that is, to a club…not clubbing seals or anything) and get drenched in smoke-smell, I’m able to be natural. ---
**Author:** ![Pixiesnix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/898d66/32.png) [@Pixiesnix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pixiesnix)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2003, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-really-gross-or-my-goodness-im-smelly/179720/7 "2003-06-05T04:07:08Z")
While I MUST bathe and wash my hair EVERY day, it depends on the reason for smelling in other people. If it’s the result of plain not washing, then it’s repulsive. If it’s a healthy sweat from work or exercise, it’s not particularly arousing, but not totally abhorrent. I’m my mother’s daughter in that I try to avoid sweating at all costs. Ick. ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2003, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-really-gross-or-my-goodness-im-smelly/179720/8 "2003-06-05T04:56:15Z")
I bathe and wash my hair every day too - sometimes 2 or 3 times, depending on what I’ve been doing. (Today, for instance, was 3 times - once this morning, once after walking home and noticing my funkyness, and then I had a bath because my skin was feeling really dry). All that being said, when my man shows up, and he’s been riding his bike, and he’s just a _little_ sweaty…_rrrrrrrrowrrrrrr!!_. Plain old BO is pretty nasty. However, I’m assuming (from the lack of responses) that the men of the SDMB (appart from **Govindha** of course) want their women fresh, clean and pristine at all times, regardless of activity. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![MysteryFellow63427](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e4f/32.png) [@MysteryFellow63427](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MysteryFellow63427)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2003, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-really-gross-or-my-goodness-im-smelly/179720/9 "2003-06-05T05:06:42Z")
There are two areas that have a stranglehold on smell/sweat production for my body, the armpits and the groin. The armpits produce the slightly manly sweat that **alice** finds attractive, while the groin has a more industrial strength formula. Its apparent purpose is to lubricate all the moving parts down there so that nothing, er, important gets chafed. Women should be fresh, clean, and pristine at the _start_ of any “activity.” ---
**Author:** ![green\_bladder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/73ab20/32.png) [@green\_bladder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/green_bladder)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2003, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-really-gross-or-my-goodness-im-smelly/179720/10 "2003-06-05T07:04:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by alice\_in\_wonderland \* > \*\* > However, I’m assuming (from the lack of responses) that the men of the SDMB (appart from **Govindha** of course) want their women fresh, clean and pristine at all times, regardless of activity. 😃 \*\* Sorry for the hassle ladies ;), but yeah, that would be the way I prefer it… ---
**Author:** ![Blalron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/35a633/32.png) [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2003, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-really-gross-or-my-goodness-im-smelly/179720/11 "2003-06-05T07:41:10Z")
> [@](#): > > However, I’m assuming (from the lack of responses) that the men of the SDMB (appart from Govindha of course) want their women fresh, clean and pristine at all times, regardless of activity. I like freshness. However, obsessive freshness is a bit too much. A little bit of smell won’t kill anybody… plus it’s natural. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Great\_Unwashed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_great_unwashed/32/4791_2.png) [@The\_Great\_Unwashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Great_Unwashed)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2003, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-really-gross-or-my-goodness-im-smelly/179720/12 "2003-06-05T15:18:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by alice\_in\_wonderland \* > \*\*I bathe and wash my hair every day too - sometimes 2 or 3 times, depending on what I’ve been doing. (Today, for instance, was 3 times - once this morning, once after walking home and noticing my funkyness, and then I had a bath because my skin was feeling really dry). \*\* Do you know, I wonder why your skin might feel dry? I’m stumped. It really is a mystery. I just don’t have a clue. It’s an enigma wrapped inside a riddle. It defies explanation… (continues for several paragraphs.) I like my women sweet smellin’, but showering three times a day? Come on? Give me fresh sweat to chemical deodorant anyday. Of course, if you stink, have a shower. YMMV, but I have beautiful, soft, moist, skin, so nyah! ---
**Author:** ![The\_Great\_Unwashed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_great_unwashed/32/4791_2.png) [@The\_Great\_Unwashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Great_Unwashed)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2003, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-really-gross-or-my-goodness-im-smelly/179720/13 "2003-06-05T15:24:37Z")
Having realised that my user name is going to attract adverse interpretation of my previous post, I must clarify: I have beautiful, soft, moist, _washed_ skin, so nyah! ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2003, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-really-gross-or-my-goodness-im-smelly/179720/14 "2003-06-05T15:43:46Z")
So guys, What your saying is that one warm sunny day you’re at home, BBQ’ing, or whatever, and your woman has been out running, and she jogs into the kitchen, glistening, and breathing heavy, and your first thought is “Would you _PUHLEEESE_ go wash yourself woman?” Interesting. ---
**Author:** ![green\_bladder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/73ab20/32.png) [@green\_bladder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/green_bladder)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2003, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-really-gross-or-my-goodness-im-smelly/179720/15 "2003-06-05T16:33:15Z")
Well, not to that extreme… Depends on the temperature, of course 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2003, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-really-gross-or-my-goodness-im-smelly/179720/16 "2003-06-05T16:43:06Z")
Well, this is kind of a moot point for me given that I have no sense of smell, but it didn’t bother me too much before I lost it. Now I have to rely on my other senses and tend to fall back on look and taste (although if you smell bad enough that I can _hear_, that’s beyond nasty). Sweaty women are hot (in both meanings of the word), and the taste only matters for a select few (one, that is), so, in the final analysis, the scent of a woman who’s been doin’ stuff is not a problem. Now, if, in the days of my misspent youth, a properly-exercised lady had offered to share a shower, that is also fun… ---
**Author:** ![The\_Great\_Unwashed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_great_unwashed/32/4791_2.png) [@The\_Great\_Unwashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Great_Unwashed)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2003, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-really-gross-or-my-goodness-im-smelly/179720/17 "2003-06-05T16:49:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by alice\_in\_wonderland \* > \*\*So guys, > > What your saying is that one warm sunny day you’re at home, BBQ’ing, or whatever, and your woman has been out running, and she jogs into the kitchen, glistening, and breathing heavy, and your first thought is “Would you _PUHLEEESE_ go wash yourself woman?” > > Interesting. \*\* No, no, no! More like, “Would you _PUHLEEESE_ let me help you get out of those sweaty things,… but not right here in the garden, okay?” ---
**Author:** ![UrbanChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9dc877/32.png) [@UrbanChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UrbanChic)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2003, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-really-gross-or-my-goodness-im-smelly/179720/18 "2003-06-05T16:53:27Z")
alice, after I come back from a run my hubby says I smell. If I linger around to tell him about the run, he’ll ask if we can continue the discussion after I shower. ---
**Author:** ![HelenGawn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a88e4f/32.png) [@HelenGawn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HelenGawn)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2003, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-really-gross-or-my-goodness-im-smelly/179720/19 "2003-06-05T18:27:14Z")
I think the attraction of your SO’s smell is that, well, he’s your SO. (I’m not one to make gender-based generalizations, but I suspect this may be more common among women.) Do other sweaty folk turn you on? I had a male friend that I was hung up on for a while, but thought I’d gotten over him and was ready to just be pals again. Until we went camping together and I realized that after three days in the hot Texas sun he smelled good to me. ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2003, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-really-gross-or-my-goodness-im-smelly/179720/20 "2003-06-05T18:41:02Z")
But **DMM** - _talking_ about SO’s here. You know, I think I’ll go pose my question to **MY** SO, just to see what he says… [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-really-gross-or-my-goodness-im-smelly/179720.md?page=2)