Thursday, December 4, 2008

I HATE! Patchouli

There is no scent that I abhor more than the smell of patchouli. Not the odor of rotting garbage. Not the stench emitted by the NYC sewage system. Not even the repugnant aroma of a partially-mummified dead body (not that I would know first-hand what that might smell like). You know, I can't really pinpoint why it is exactly that I hate the smell of patchouli so much. I can say, with some certainty, that I know precisely when I decided that I simply could not tolerate the scent. I had a very close friend in my childhood with whom I spent a lot time - this included accompanying her on family vacations, many of which were spent at her grandmother's beach house. The grandmother in question always smelled strongly of patchouli, as did her house, her car, and pretty much anything that came within 5 feet of her at any point. It was then that I realized that patchouli and I could never have a lasting relationship.

It was later in life that I discovered that patchouli was often a favorite scent among the hippie crowd. And anyone who knows me, knows that hippies generally aren't my favorite group of people - it might be the unmaintained and dirty hair, it might be the lack of personal hygiene, it might be the fucking tie-dye, it might be the crusty Birkenstocks... who knows really? And come to think of it, the childhood friend's grandmother was a bit of a hippie - she wore her completely gray hair long and wavy and her wardrobe consisted mostly of multi-colored, floor-length skirts. An ex-boyfriend once told me that his sister, when going through her hippie phase (at Oberlin), wore patchouli, but ditched the fragrance (if you can even call it that) once she left her days of bare feet and peace signs behind her. My point here is that, in my mind, there is a direct correlation between the hippie set and patchouli, only furthering patchouli's bad reputation and cementing it's scent as putrid and vomit-inducing. Do you need any more evidence?

Don't think for a second that I'm exaggerating here. (I would NEVER do that!) How can I explain just how deeply my hatred for patchouli runs? Here's a good story: I once interned at a magazine where I always got free stuff. I went home every day with tons of make-up and bath and beauty products that were sent to the magazine by PR reps hoping to score an editorial mention. I hoarded this stuff and always managed to get the best and most swag. One day I went home with a bunch of bath products - lotions, body washes, soaps. Eager to try everything out, I used the body wash in the shower the next morning, right before I got on the train to go to Philadelphia. God knows how I managed to miss the fact that the whole lot was patchouli-scented. Obviously, I idiotically neglected to read the labels. What's worse, I didn't pick up on the scent while I was generously lathering up my body in the shower that morning. After a mad-dash to the train, I got comfy in my seat and prepared for the ride. It was then that the scent of patchouli engulfed me. I literally started to choke and cough - the odor was suffocating. I was scratching everywhere and leaving big red splotches all over my chest and arms. After the most uncomfortable of train rides, I had to race home and shower and even then, I was convinced I still hadn't completely shaken the scent. Talk about traumatizing experiences.

Anyway, point is patchouli smells fucking disgusting. I can't stand the smell - it literally causes an allergic reaction. Hippies wear it because the smell is overwhelmingly strong and can be used to disguise body odor and filth that has gone unchecked for weeks. Enough said.

13 comments:

kirch said...

I'm with you 100%. It's not only the stink; it's the persistence that really galls me. A friend used patchouli to "deodorize" her car after her cats had branded it with their own eau de pis. Years later, I briefly stored my bike in her trunk, and somehow the plastic water bottle picked up a little of the still-overpowering oil smell. That was a year ago, and the bottle, after hours of soaking and scrubbing in hot water, detergent, clorox and ammonia, still stinks. Frankly I'd prefer the smell of cat doings.

Wilhelm Scream said...

Good to know I'm not alone. Having grown up in the 60's and 70's I came to loathe the stench of patchouli, which you could often smell long before you set eyes of the unwashed children of the earth. As far as the smell of partially mummified flesh is concerned, just go catch a whiff of week old roadkill sometime..and you'll get a pretty good idea of what it's all about.

Wilhelm Scream said...

Good to know I'm not alone. Having grown up in the 60's and 70's I came to loathe the stench of patchouli, which you could often smell long before you set eyes on the unwashed children on the earth. As far as the smell of partially mummified flesh is concerned, just go catch a whiff of week old roadkill sometime..and you'll get a pretty good idea of what it's all about.

Hoosier Momma said...

I haven't agreed with someone so vehemently since the last presidential election. (I didn't say who.)
Patchouli is the Devil's scent.

Unknown said...

Finally...Someone who speaks the truth about Patchouli.....The most rank, disgusting smell that ever existed on Planet earth and worn by the most hideous crowds and sleaziest people in the world....It would be better to wear a scent of rotting fish mixed with Cat urine.....than for one to wear Patchouli oil........

Anonymous said...

Seriously, I have Never blogged about anything before but I HATE patchouli. I bought some orange/ patchouli lotion...not knowing what the patchouli part was although all the reviews complained you could only smell the orange. Rubbed a little on my hands and went to bed. RANK, STANK, EVIL SMELL FROM HELL! Couldnt sleep! Finally got out of bed at 1 a.m. to wash. Can still smell it on my sheets 3 days later! So appalled I had to research whybit smells like Satans butt crack!

Anonymous said...

Seriously, I have Never blogged about anything before but I HATE patchouli. I bought some orange/ patchouli lotion...not knowing what the patchouli part was although all the reviews complained you could only smell the orange. Rubbed a little on my hands and went to bed. RANK, STANK, EVIL SMELL FROM HELL! Couldnt sleep! Finally got out of bed at 1 a.m. to wash. Can still smell it on my sheets 3 days later! So appalled I had to research whybit smells like Satans butt crack!

Unknown said...

Not everyone that wears it is a dirty hippie. Besides Ive
Met more wonderful hippies than wonderful opinionated yuppies

Unknown said...

Patchuli is the odor of the devils a-holio i near on have the same passionate hate for coriander...putrid

Unknown said...

My co-worker wears patchuli and every day is a struggle for me to not:
1. throw up
2. scream at her that i cannot take it anymore
3. quit my job.

Just walking past me it makes me feel sick.

yes, she is a young woman of 27 years, I am a 57 year old woman.

With Christmas coming i thought maybe i could buy her a new "vegan/cruelty free" scent that would be pleasant to my nose also. LOL

Any suggestions. I cannot go another year having to work so closely besides her; and I dont want to directly tell her, she is too sensitive.

Please help me! :P
Frances

Anonymous said...

OMG, I feel like I'm among friends! I loathe the smell of patchouli so much and it seems to be in every perfume that comes out! I've tried to tolerate it, tried to learn to at least like it, but I just can't get past the fact that it smells like the nastiest, dirtiest soil on Earth! I swear, it smells like what I imagine the soil underneath Dracula's castle smells like, LOL! Just disgusting! The worst patchouli heavy scent for women that I've ever smelled is Angel by Thierry Mugler and A*men by Thierry Mugler. Those are both HIDEOUS to me and I never did understand why Angel became so popular. Thank goodness it's not as popular now, but I do smell it every once in a while and it's still vile, even though it's been reformulated.

smarty said...

Yes, yes & yes!

Unknown said...

The smell sends me into a anger filled cussing session. I would rather smell hot garbage than to smell patchouli.I absolutely loathe it.