That Smell

Hopefully, you're now humming Lynrd Skynrd.

Ever catch a whiff of something that made you want to hurl? (Besides the obvious trash/toilet/B.O stench, of course.) You looked around, trying to locate and identify the offending scent, and notice no one else was pale and gagging? I know a couple of people who cannot tolerate the smell of roasted chestnuts, for example. Some can't stand smelling gasoline, cut grass, or cigarette smoke. The smell of melons, any kind of melon, will send me fleeing and retching, and many common chemicals cause me to break out in dazzling hives.

Wonder where it comes from? According to this health reporter, it's not all in your head and it may not be an allergy.

Does this mean the next time we're trapped somewhere with someone who's been marinating in White Shoulders or Old Spice for two solid weeks, we can brain them with our umbrella? "Excuse me, Sir/Madam, your cologne is negatively affecting my chemical sensitivities. I must clobber you and drag you off to the East River for dunking. THAT smell I can abide."