Graphic by Lilah Lee
As you have probably found, high school hallways and classrooms don’t always hold the most agreeable scents. Whether someone forgot to put on deodorant or has neglected the practice entirely, there is always some sort of unpleasant smell being released into the air. Some try to smother bad smells with perfume, but it’s easy to spray a little too much.
An excess of perfume, to many people can be just as insufferable as bad body odor. So here is the question, what’s worse, too much perfume, or too little deodorant? On one hand, perfume and cologne can be overwhelming, especially when aggressively floral, but a lack of deodorant can allow for a stubborn buildup of body odor throughout the day.
In my experience at Roosevelt, I have found a strong perfume smell preferable to pungent body odor. When using perfume at least you’re attempting to smell good, and if too much was applied in the morning, it will fade throughout the day, while body odor becomes more intense. I would rather occupy a classroom with an intense floral smell than one thick with body odor.
High school is an awkward phase in life when it comes to looks and smells. But if I had to state a preference, I’d go with an excess of perfume. It’s the effort that counts.
