“It is said that ‘we are what we eat’—but it is also true that we are what we smell like: fragrant or foul, good or bad.” – Antony Synnott
Tag Archives: identity
Wo bleibt der Duft? A new whiff of politics?
In the ongoing election campaign in the German state of Bavaria the neoliberal FDP tries to sell the political agenda with the whiff of a new car scent and triggers some controversy. What is “aseptic” about it as the FAZ argues? Is it authentic? Or is this a new step of fake politics? Continue reading Wo bleibt der Duft? A new whiff of politics?
Symbol of the self
“The odor is a natural sign of the self as both a physical and a moral being. The odor is a symbol of the self.” – ANTONY SYNNOTT Continue reading Symbol of the self
Beyond the little trees
The air freshener Little Tree epitomizes the state of contemporary scent culture. This might sound provocative. Continue reading Beyond the little trees
Scent Masquerade: Gendering your Nose
Do you remember the commercials that promote deodorants and openly appeal to sexist phantasies? Women are drawn in hordes to any male who has sprayed himself liberally with the deodorant – the “Axe effectâ€. The commercials have been known as the world’s sexist advertising campaign for many years.  Continue reading Scent Masquerade: Gendering your Nose
Flower Power | REORIENT – Middle Eastern Arts and Culture Magazine
An excellent piece by Dana El Masri on “cities of jasmine, roses of beloveds: scent, identity, and culture in the Middle Eastâ€: Continue reading Flower Power | REORIENT – Middle Eastern Arts and Culture Magazine
The intimacy of perfume choice
Traditionally, perfumes are bought as a gift by men for women. Today the situation is certainly more divers. And a recent study reveals further insights:
Women do not buy fragrances they like for female friends.
The study is summarized in Business Insider:
Science has uncovered an unspoken etiquette about women and their perfume | Business Insider
“Researchers have found out by accident that women don’t buy perfume for other women and they won’t share the one they use themselves.â€
[blog_subscription_form title=”” title_following=”You are already subscribed” subscribe_text=”” subscribe_logged_in=”Click to subscribe to this site” subscribe_button=”Click me!” show_subscribers_total=true]