The smell of a Man's aftershave/Cologne

[NMMB]

I've been thinking about this scent-emotion connection for a while now and while I agree that the memories triggered by a scent can be strong (or even overwhelming), I am not certain that they are any stronger than memories triggered by other senses. I think it may simply be that scent (or our perception of scent) is a more static thing. That is to say the way that something smells (or the way that we perceive the smell) doesn't change as quickly as the way that it looks or feels, for instance. I know that as we age our senses of both sight and hearing decline a little (or a lot in some cases), but what about our sense of smell? Is it simply declining at a slower rate?

A scent that really stands out to me is vanilla perfume (especially the Body Shop variety), which reminds me of a girl that I dated when I was a teenager, I'll call her J (one of her initials). To smell this scent reminds me of J. and that time in my life far more than hearing a similarly-dated song or, for that matter, even seeing one of my friends from that time (including the aforementioned J.). The way that I see it is that I now appreciate/understand the songs on a different and perhaps more mature level (though, I don't necessarily like them now as I may have then) and the people, well, they've aged and no longer look or act in the same way (as have I)... But the vanilla scent (or at least my perception of it), well, that is unchanged.

I would be lying if I said that I miss J. or that time in my life, but whenever I encounter that scent it certainly takes me back - whether or not I want to go back.

Hmm, this has been an odd journey down memory lane... I guess in this case just the thought of the scent was enough to trigger memories.

 

[rtaylor61]

I've been thinking about this scent-emotion connection for a while now and while I agree that the memories triggered by a scent can be strong (or even overwhelming), I am not certain that they are any stronger than memories triggered by other senses. I think it may simply be that scent (or our perception of scent) is a more static thing. That is to say the way that something smells (or the way that we perceive the smell) doesn't change as quickly as the way that it looks or feels, for instance. I know that as we age our senses of both sight and hearing decline a little (or a lot in some cases), but what about our sense of smell? Is it simply declining at a slower rate?

A scent that really stands out to me is vanilla perfume (especially the Body Shop variety), which reminds me of a girl that I dated when I was a teenager, I'll call her J (one of her initials). To smell this scent reminds me of J. and that time in my life far more than hearing a similarly-dated song or, for that matter, even seeing one of my friends from that time (including the aforementioned J.). The way that I see it is that I now appreciate/understand the songs on a different and perhaps more mature level (though, I don't necessarily like them now as I may have then) and the people, well, they've aged and no longer look or act in the same way (as have I)... But the vanilla scent (or at least my perception of it), well, that is unchanged.

I would be lying if I said that I miss J. or that time in my life, but whenever I encounter that scent it certainly takes me back - whether or not I want to go back.

Hmm, this has been an odd journey down memory lane... I guess in this case just the thought of the scent was enough to trigger memories.

I'm assuming that you meant "didn't miss J"? And shame on you, you newly married man...

Randy

 

[moses]

The way I read it, he meant exactly what he said....

 

[Mama Bear]

I've been thinking about this scent-emotion connection for a while now and while I agree that the memories triggered by a scent can be strong (or even overwhelming), I am not certain that they are any stronger than memories triggered by other senses. I think it may simply be that scent (or our perception of scent) is a more static thing. That is to say the way that something smells (or the way that we perceive the smell) doesn't change as quickly as the way that it looks or feels, for instance. I know that as we age our senses of both sight and hearing decline a little (or a lot in some cases), but what about our sense of smell? Is it simply declining at a slower rate?

A scent that really stands out to me is vanilla perfume (especially the Body Shop variety), which reminds me of a girl that I dated when I was a teenager, I'll call her J (one of her initials). To smell this scent reminds me of J. and that time in my life far more than hearing a similarly-dated song or, for that matter, even seeing one of my friends from that time (including the aforementioned J.). The way that I see it is that I now appreciate/understand the songs on a different and perhaps more mature level (though, I don't necessarily like them now as I may have then) and the people, well, they've aged and no longer look or act in the same way (as have I)... But the vanilla scent (or at least my perception of it), well, that is unchanged.

I would be lying if I said that I miss J. or that time in my life, but whenever I encounter that scent it certainly takes me back - whether or not I want to go back.

Hmm, this has been an odd journey down memory lane... I guess in this case just the thought of the scent was enough to trigger memories.

Songs have changed for me too... It is amazing to me that I sometimes will be singing along to a pop/rock song that I loved as a teenager, and all of a sudden I will 'get' the lyrics for the first time... I am finding there are lots of songs I loved the music to, but don't like the words...makes me wonder where my head was at as a young 'un....

The smells don't change tho....they still seem like an instant trigger. Maybe you have a point about losing our sense of smell slower than the other senses. That is interesting. I know that scientists had a tough time understand this sense for many years.... it was an anomaly to them too.

Sue

 

[NMMB]

The way I read it, he meant exactly what he said....

Exactly. I do not miss her. That isn't to say that I have any hard feelings, I simply do not miss her or that time in my life. That scent will always take me back, but I'll never want to stay.

... Maybe you have a point about losing our sense of smell slower than the other senses...

Do we have any Otolaryngologists (or other specialists who might have advanced knowledge of scent and how we perceive it) here who can shed some light on this subject?

 

[SSLStudio]

I wish I could have another first love again... there is something about that one that can never be replaced. And there is a fragrance that is associated for me with that one. I think the smell is as important as the memory... but at my age.....I will take what ever memories are left to me.....lol But if I ever get to rub the genies lamp and get my wishes, it would be for the Jovan Musk Oil guy to take me to dinner again one night. I don't really remember what he looked like. I remember what he smelled like tho.

Isn't it almost a miracle that just a smell can jerk us back so completely and instantly. Maybe this is why we enjoy fragrances so much. Memories should never die!

Bear Hugs,

Sue (Mama Bear)

Interesting Thread, I have these flash backs with particular SONGS that pop by on the radio. instantly ill be transported to that moment when that song means something to me at whatever age, ill be that age ... but as a music person its kinda an easy inprint in my brain . but I guess you all will have that too with some songs I bet.

 

[Mama Bear]

Do we have any Otolaryngologists (or other specialists who might have advanced knowledge of scent and how we perceive it) here who can shed some light on this subject?

I have a book by the name of "The Emperor of Scent" that is really fascinating. The problem is about halfway through it started getting really over my head... I hope as I continue to learn more I will understand the rest of it better. I never took science in school, I am sure that those of you who have would get a better grasp of it than me. It is an incredible book...

 

[Mama Bear]

Never did care much for the "Y" !!

Oh Ricardo.. you lovely, handsome man... I always though the Y was the BEST part of CSN&Y.......