# Why do my farts smell good? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 24, 2002, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-farts-smell-good/105293 "2002-04-24T05:01:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Lure](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ba8739/32.png) [@Lure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lure)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2002, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-farts-smell-good/105293/21 "2002-12-30T06:25:00Z")
> [@](#): > > I remember seeing Arsenio Hall doing a bit about this on his old late night show. You were the one,eh? ---
**Author:** ![Turbo\_Dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ce73a5/32.png) [@Turbo\_Dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turbo_Dog)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2002, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-farts-smell-good/105293/22 "2002-12-30T07:24:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by lieu \* > \*\*They were all anticipating the first scratch 'n sniff thread. \*\* Oh dear lord…serious quote material here… May I? ---
**Author:** ![Violet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ebca7d/32.png) [@Violet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Violet)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2002, 8:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-farts-smell-good/105293/23 "2002-12-30T08:21:19Z")
> [@](#): > > Is it common for people to enjoy smelling their own farts? I believe that it is not only common, it is universal. A person farts and then thinks, at least subconsciously, “Wow, I made that!” From [http://www.heptune.com/farts.html](http://www.heptune.com/farts.html) ---
**Author:** ![Wikkit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c0e974/32.png) [@Wikkit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wikkit)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2002, 9:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-farts-smell-good/105293/24 "2002-12-30T09:23:32Z")
And then the doctor says, “Now that you’ve got your sense of smell back, we’ll work on your hearing.” ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2002, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-farts-smell-good/105293/25 "2002-12-30T10:48:01Z")
Nobody thinks their own farts stink for the same reason nobody thinks their own children are ugly. ---
**Author:** ![Rogg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ce73a5/32.png) [@Rogg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rogg)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2002, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-farts-smell-good/105293/26 "2002-12-30T11:31:09Z")
\>\>Why do my farts smell good? I have heard another odd statement that is similar: If you are malnourished, you can gain the precise set of nutrients you need by eating dirt; not just any dirt, apparently there is some mechanism that ensures that the soil in your area somehow contains just what you need. It doesnt stand to reason, does it? Still, I heard someone on the radio coherently and credibly advance that very argument… ---
**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:** [December 30, 2002, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-farts-smell-good/105293/27 "2002-12-30T14:34:50Z")
There was a scene in _Goldmember_ where “Fat Bastard” wafts his fart into his face and says something like, “You always like your own vintage!” ---
**Author:** ![Nishroch\_Order](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Nishroch\_Order](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nishroch_Order)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2002, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-farts-smell-good/105293/28 "2002-12-30T16:12:47Z")
this is one thread where i start laughing b4 i even open it 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Kickback\_Joe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/cdc98d/32.png) [@Kickback\_Joe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kickback_Joe)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2002, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-farts-smell-good/105293/29 "2002-12-30T16:56:08Z")
I would say that Sailor probably nailed it when it comes to this issue. However I know that both my kids were ugly, at least when first born, and my farts Stink. However, that does not prevent me from enjoying both and I figure why should I hog all the enjoyment. Spread it around I always say! As a matter of fact I just left a little fragrant enjoyment over by the refrigerator here at work. Breathe, my friend Breathe! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Uncommon\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2002, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-farts-smell-good/105293/30 "2002-12-30T18:14:56Z")
There is no way the guy “downshifting with the jake brake on” in the bathroom this morning could have thought his poop smelled good. NO WAY!! ---
**Author:** ![Lazlo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lazlo/32/9678_2.png) [@Lazlo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lazlo)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2002, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-farts-smell-good/105293/31 "2002-12-30T18:16:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by sailor \* > \*\*…nobody thinks their own children are ugly. \*\* Tell that to my mom, Sailor. ---
**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:** [December 30, 2002, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-farts-smell-good/105293/32 "2002-12-30T18:29:05Z")
Ben Franklin once wrote an essay in which he half-jokingly suggested an advancement-of-Scientific-Achievement prize be established, to be awarded to anyone who could develop foods that would produce _flatus_ with made-to-order aromas. Based on the assumptions inherent in such a suggestion, I offer the following: Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that they (your farts) were caused by foods that you liked well enough to eat in the first place. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Ficer67](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c57346/32.png) [@Ficer67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ficer67)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2002, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-farts-smell-good/105293/33 "2002-12-31T03:51:07Z")
Get some Beano people! ---
**Author:** ![Dijon\_Warlock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a9a28c/32.png) [@Dijon\_Warlock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dijon_Warlock)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2003, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-farts-smell-good/105293/34 "2003-01-02T00:19:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Lure \* > \*\*You were the one,eh? \*\* I was about to make the excuse that I was merely waiting for my food at Hardee’s and it happened to be on, but then I realized that sounded even more pathetic. ---
**Author:** ![verifier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/e480ec/32.png) [@verifier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/verifier)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2003, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-farts-smell-good/105293/35 "2003-01-02T02:50:56Z")
I must say it’s been at least amusing reading the posts in this thread. 😃 This is one of those things you’d never guess other people had thoughts on. Why don’t we mind (if not enjoy) the smell of our own fart? I’m no neuroscientist/psychologist, but my guess would be that it is for the same reason we don’t feel a thing\* when we tickle ourselves: we don’t respond to it because we know it’s coming. Your nervous system “is not surprised” when you tickle yourself because it was the one who started the whole thing, so it doesn’t show the deffensive reflection movement of pulling away. I’m supposing something similar happens when you fart. - Of course, you feel your hand touching you foot, for instance. But what I mean is you don’t tickle as if someone else was doing it to you. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![butter\_pie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/aca169/32.png) [@butter\_pie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/butter_pie)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2003, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-farts-smell-good/105293/36 "2003-01-02T03:39:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Johnny L.A. \* > \*\*There was a scene in _Goldmember_ where “Fat Bastard” wafts his fart into his face and says something like, “You always like your own vintage!” \*\* Actually, he said, “Whew, everyone likes their own brand, don’t they?” 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Meros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8797f3/32.png) [@Meros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meros)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2003, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-farts-smell-good/105293/37 "2003-01-02T04:06:57Z")
This has probably been said before but as a recently teenage male there is something to be said for a good fart. When a male is in the company of other males a well sounded resounding fart is something that is applauded and even repsected and can cause hours of entertainment with the addition of something as simple as a lighter. I think the main reason, at least for a guy, that one’s own farts dont smell as bad as another’s is because of that sense of pride. Like someone else said, it is something that you have created. But not just something you have created, but something you have made purely by natural means and therefore something to have true pride in. And besides, what guy doesn’t take great pride in the sound of his intestinal rumblings when in a well tiled shower or bathroom? ---
**Author:** ![Mann\_Slaughter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@Mann\_Slaughter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mann_Slaughter)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2003, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-farts-smell-good/105293/38 "2003-01-02T07:00:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Darkfox \* > \*\*I’ve often noticed that “my own fluids are ok” sentiment, but the surprising thing is that this blind spot seems to cover things that ooze out of your children as well. The thought of wiping up feces and vomit from a stranger is Marmite-level-gross, but I have done that routinely for my daughter and not even cared. I’ve also barehanded the occasional booger, been peed on, and had a saliva-covered pacifier stuffed in my mouth. While I’ve sorta grossed myself out recalling all of this, it didn’t even bother me at the time. Parenthood, eh? \*\* That must be a maternal thing, because my wife feels the same way. One of our sons threw up on her the other day as he sat on her lap, and she just sat there patiently, with vomit running down her bare leg while I retrieved a cloth for her to clean up with. However, as their dad (they’re ages 1 & 2) I must say that I’m totally grossed-the-fuck-out by this stuff. If that had been me sitting in my wife’s place above, I’m sure I would have jumped back through the chair, AND the wall trying to avoid having that stuff touch me. I’ll clean them when necessary, but only with a few yards of toilet paper or paper towels between my hands and the offensive substances. Hell, just last week both the kids were battling the flu, and as a stay-at-home-dad it was my job to clean them while mommy worked, or slept. Needless to say I hope I **NEVER** have to go through that again: Vomit one minute; Diapers overflowed with diarrhea the next. Jeez, I’m gonna make myself sick just thinking about it. ---
**Author:** ![Meros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8797f3/32.png) [@Meros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meros)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2003, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-farts-smell-good/105293/39 "2003-01-02T15:37:12Z")
The “my fluids are ok” concept does seem to hold true in a lot of cases. I recall when I was working at a school for disabled children some of my duties including changing and feeding which would find me, one more than one occassion, coated with bodily fluids of various types. The thing that amazed me about this was that I was never truly grossed out but just accepted it as a part of my job. Even though I may be a guy these were, in many ways “my” kids. I the whole bodily fluids debate has to do with your relationship to the person and to yourself. This raises two questions to mind, one real, one a little tongue in cheek. 1. Has there ever been any kind of psychological study of this phenonmenon. 2. If a person with multiple-personality disorder has two personalities that hate each other…would one personalities farts stink to the other? ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-farts-smell-good/105293/40 "2004-02-20T22:10:04Z")
You are a true gourmet if you can smell someone else’s fart and tell them what they had for dinner last night… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-farts-smell-good/105293.md?page=1)