Is using cologne, aftershave or perfume offensive?

What are the ';rules'; on wearing perfume, cologne or aftershave? I'm asking the opinions of Senior Citizens instead of asking this question in the Beauty category because I value the wisdom of this group.Is using cologne, aftershave or perfume offensive?
the only rule i can think of is.....if someone has an alergy to perfume. i hope i dont have to stop wearing BEAUTIFUL and WHITE DIAMONDS.Is using cologne, aftershave or perfume offensive?
depends upon how strong the scent actually is. a little goes a long way and many people use way to much. I am allergic to musk and there have been times a Lady or gentleman causes my sinuses to become clogged up with sneezing etc. so it was hard to perform my job.
I always liked Old Spice aftershave on a man. It isn't too strong and has a nice fresh shaved smell. Always reminds me of my grandfather. I think it just means the person is taking care of themself. Just a little goes a long way though - I don't like overbearing smells like someone who puts on tooooo much perfume!
I think your fragrance should be sprayed on lightly at least an hour prior to being around people so you don't offend them. People should not smell you coming 5 minutes before you get there.





That being said, I'm sure people know when I'm around. Lately my fragrance is a combination of Ben Gay, Vick's Vapor Rub, and Deep Heat Mentholatum!
Its more offensive if you smell bad.
I don't like it at all. I resent it when I'm around somebody who stinks because it makes me feel sick and dizzy. There's nothing wrong with using soap and being clean, but why douse yourself in nasty chemicals afterwards?





If you want to wear some scent then spray some into your hands and gently rub it through your hair. It will smell nice and not be too strong.
When I worked for law firms I was told it was inappropriate to wear perfume in the office. When I worked for elders in their homes I was told it was inappropriate to wear perfume while on the job. I've heard over the years that more and more people are being alergic to different foods and fragrances. Allergies have different reactions (breaking out, red face, sneezing, etc.).
As long as you don't wear it to cover up B O it's ok with me. :-)
I hate the smell of artificial oders. A bit of Old Spice or a nice fragrance lightly applied is the best. Please do NOT try to cover up BO, Smoke or other personal smells with perfume. GROSS! I had a teacher once that wore White Shoulders and smoked. That was 40 years ago and I still gag when I smell White Shoulders.
The rules are:


If you must, please apply it to a clean, freshly-washed


body,


VERY lightly


Your question reminded me of two sickening


experiences I had, both within the confines of an


aircraft.


In the first case, a Continental lady (wild horses wouldn't drag the name of her country , which is


shaped like a boot, from my lips) boarded the


aircraft and bull-dozed her path down the aisle to


the seat next to me.


You could not only smell trouble, you could see the


visible evidence. One passenger in 1st class was


clawing at his throat. Overhead bin latches began


to fail, spilling their contents. And when she sat, six


of us in the immediate vicinity frantically assaulted


the oxygen compartments for masks.


The plastic meal tables began to deform. A World


War 1 vet urinated into a hankie and buried his nose


in it.(He later explained that his action was the result


of having been subject to a similar gas attack in the


trenches.)


Providence rescued us. For reasons unknown to me


she soon departed to sit further back- probably with


someone who would appreciate class and elegance.


I seem to recall that for the entire flight the back door


of the aircraft was propped open. That's what


probably set off the fire warning alarms.





The second instance involved a lady ';doing'; her


fingernails. The stench of acetone was agonizing.


A stewardess asked her to stop. She refused.


The pilot paid her a courtesy call. She told him to


engage in an activity involving sex and travel.


The situation was saved when she in fact did put


the nail polish away-once her nails were done.


Sad. Very sad.





As for men wearing after-shave, same rules apply.


Too many wear it as ';instead-of-shave';.





You ask good questions!
Personally, I love the scent of cologne, perfume and aftershave and my friends all know the brand I use. The only one I absolutely can't tolerate is POISON.





However........as a funeral director, I NEVER wear it when I have to go to work. Many people have allergies or are sensitive to colognes and aftershave. I feel they are going through enough without adding hives, runny noses, sneezing spells or asthmatic attacks on top of everything else.





I also go to Curves regularly and feel that the gym is another inappropriate place to wear it.





Also, when my husband was dying he became extremely sensitive to alcohol based scents and he developed zero tolerance to them so now I don't wear it when I'm around people who are unwell.





A point of interest which you may or may not be aware of. People who wear scents on a regular basis become so accustomed to their own scent they can become oblivious to it and in order to smell it on themselves, they keep spraying and dabbing long after they need to.....and that's when you end up with overpowering scents that take your breath away. If you are a regular user, pick a couple of scents you like and rotate them....that keeps the scent fresh to you and you won't feel the need to drown yourself in it when you apply it.
Don't dump it on. Most times if I like the scent I'll ask what it is and compliment on it.
There are a lot of people who are sensitive to strong scents and get migraines. I do not mind if it is used really lightly.
Yes, I find most people use too much. I think you should wear just enough that when someone gets close to you they get a little whiff.
This hits home w/ me... I suffer w/ headaches and perfume of any kind or strong smells like candles really can set them off. So if worn in very light amounts I think its good. But I always remember my mum saying no one should ever Smell you coming or after you leave!. It should be your own sent. Clean and nice !
I think if it is over powering then yes. But I have been around women who smell like men and have had the audacity to make a comment about my expensive perfume. I would rather smell like a female then some man who just got off work.
A little goes a long way.
Never put perfume on an unwashed body or on clothes, this smell is offensive. Perfume should be placed either/and behind the ears, on the inside of the wrist or on the chest after a bath, then it will not cause migraine or sneezing or an offense.
its not if you get a light scent. Dont get something too overbearing or over do it. Maybe a mist spray of some kind. Try a fresh scent.
only if you bath in in == either i have very good smell - which i doubt -- but most put on twice the needed amount!!!
Yes if it is overwhelming. A little bit is very nice on the ladies. Don't care if men do or not though. Is that sexist? Oh well
i wouldn't wear a strong scent, but a real light scent isn't bad. Just don't over do it
I have adult-onset asthma, so I cannot wear perfume or even scented deodorant. I have had to change seats in church, leave restaurants, and get off on the next floor in an elevator because of others' heavy hand with scents. I think the smell is pleasant, but I literally cannot breathe.





The worst offenders are people who spray it on clothes, not realizing that the scent becomes stale smelling. ( Men are just as guilty as women. )


I don't think it is intentional, though. Maybe the smell is so familiar to them that they can no longer detect it. Maybe their sense of smell is not what is used to be. I really don't think anyone would say ';Let me douse myself with this stuff and see how many people I can make gasp.';





Just a small amount will not bother me usually. My friends and family are very considerate.





I think the ';rules'; would be like everything else in life...be thoughtful of others and use common sense.
Yes. I'm allergic.
It's dangerous, quit wearing it long ago, my daughter has asthma really bad. Now, I can barely tolerate the smell myself, I start to cough.
I think bad personal hygiene is worse than someone just out of the shower smelling nice with perfume or aftershave. As long as they don't over do it. I feel like take pride of themselves.
Don't know how much wisdom it requires as my stomach is in charge and cheap perfume make's me want to hurl.


I often wonder why the noxious offenders usually slap dash their faces with dark red rouge and blood red lipstick.


Offends my nose and my eyes.





The scent of a man: I haven't noticed any men over doing cologne or aftershave in a very long time. They seem to make better choices in that area.
A little goes a long way.
Miz D - it is only offensive if too much is used. Cheap parfums lose their fragrance and leave a strange odor on the person wearing it. This goes for aftershave too! Just my opinion. BTW - when I worked (suit, hose and heels) I always wore parfum! (Sorry ';perfume';) CJ
I am one who gets headaches from perfumes just passing someone in a store. So they can be to me.
its only offensive if it is overdone. If someone walks into my office with too much scent (especially the expensive 'designer' stuff) sprayed on it hits me with a headache right between the eyes. I have to leave and get a breath of fresh air or I'll feel sick.


A short spurt or two should be pleasantly sufficient.