this post was submitted on 08 Dec 2023
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Asklemmy

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Like, I travel around for work and I've met plenty of people from all backgrounds.

Why is there a demographic of people who don't seemingly bathe regularly, or at the very least wear something to cover up their BO? I could understand if it's an allergy, or even religious reasons (though the people I've met that smell bad are usually you're average American young adult man) but recently (like in the past week, recently) I've met a concerning number of people who don't seem to wear any kind of deodorant or possibly don't even bathe regularly; it's starting to become an issue for me, as I don't even want to interact with them when I can smell them walking up from 3+ feet away yet I need to for work.

Does anyone have any possible insight?

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (7 children)

I shower once a day. I don't generally wear deodorant. I get away with it I think because body odor is largely impacted by meat intake. I swear I don't smell bad, I've asked others. This is the Internet and so no one will believe me unless OP comes to my house and smells my arm pit.

[–] [email protected] 13 points 11 months ago (1 children)

I get away with it because body odor is largely impacted by meat intake.

I've encountered plenty of smelly vegetarians and vegans.

I swear I don't smell bad, I've asked others.

How sure are you they weren't just being polite?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

I am 100% sure that I don't smell bad and people are not just being polite. I definitely would have been called out by now.

And again, no one will believe me either way. This is the Internet.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 11 months ago

Diet plays a role, but I've found it's far more down to the spices one consumes. I'd bet the strongest component is hormones and genetics.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Vegans are always hilarious. They blame so much on meat and pretend they’re better for not eating it.

I had a vegan ex once, I remember her getting drunk and throwing up going “This can’t happen I’m vegan” as if somehow her super diet made her beyond a mere mortal and gave her a super stomach.

You remind me of her.

[–] [email protected] -3 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (1 children)

I'm not claiming I am better than anyone else. I have one perk to this lifestyle. I have many more downsides. I need to take supplements because I've been anemic. I fart constantly.

I'm allergic to eggs and lactose intolerant. I will eat dairy. I usually have to stick to yogurt. I don't eat meat because as a child we had to push expiration dates and got sick a lot. Meat just grosses me out. My wife is not a vegetarian. I'm not in this for moral reasons. I don't fault anyone for eating meat. I'm not pushing a lifestyle here. I'm just saying I don't smell much.

And, I do throw up. I'm a lightweight when it comes down to drinking. I also generally don't like other vegetarians because they do act superior. I like to point out random facts that are in opposition of their view, and call them out. Then when they play the moral high ground card; I can do the same.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 11 months ago (1 children)

I eat a lot of meat and have confirmed with people that I don’t smell (I don’t wear deodorant). Diet can play a part I’m sure, but meat isn’t it.

[–] [email protected] -2 points 11 months ago

I was told by others that it was diet. But I never cared much to do research on that.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Meat intake? I'm a vegetarian and if I don't use deodorant, my pits stink within hours.

[–] [email protected] -5 points 11 months ago

No idea. Personally I never had much of an issue with it.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Apparently it could also have to do with the microbiome on the skin too, there are a couple companies developing probiotic deodorant based on the flora of people who naturally don't smell very bad. It's a balance of good bacteria versus stinky bacteria and I can see how things like antibiotic use and diet can have an impact on that balance just like it does in the gut, but a decent portion of it does seem to be genetic.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

That's pretty cool. I didn't know that was a thing.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 11 months ago

I rarely ever eat meat (and almost never red meat) and my BO still smells if I don't shower or use deodorant daily

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

I'll smell you. I'll smell you so good.