Strong perfume from Seniors

United States
October 11, 2010 3:29pm CST
I volunteer in a Senior Recreation Center. I work there as a receptionist and every time they pass through me I can smell their very strong perfume. Some smell are nice but most of it are intoxicating especially the smell of rose. I always feel dizzy whenever they talked to me. They really love to talk so I try not to breathe making my head hurts due to lack of oxygen supply. I was wondering why do senior people wear that strong scent?Is it because they can barely smell? and what can I do to avoid smelling those perfume without hurting their feelings?
1 person likes this
2 responses
hardworkinggurl
@hardworkinggurl (37062)
• United States
11 Oct 10
Oh gosh yes, I am very smell senitive and most anything can make me feel nauseated. I can get an instant migraine from rose smelly perfume. It is sort of a hard task to do however, how much can you nose tolerate, not to mention your stomach. You can try and say something, but please be aware that if they are wearing it they obviously like it. You can in a nice way say is that rose perfume you are wearing. Wow, I am sort of sensitive to it and want you to know I do not mean any disrespect but it really makes me quite ill. So I hope you do not mind me covering my nose a bit as I really enjoy talking with you but I am quite sensitive. Good luck though some may be offended, other may not. I too would be like you and this would be difficult for me.
angelic123
@angelic123 (1108)
• United States
12 Oct 10
We are on the same page. I have a delicate sense of smell too. I often have stomachache if I smell bad odor. With perfume I always have headache. sometimes I think I am going to pass out. So I make an excuse pretending that I am busy or I need to go to the restroom. Otherwise I ignore it. Maybe I will try to tell them next time if I can not tale it any longer. But as you had say it is difficult senior people have a very sensitive emotion or sometimes sensitive pride.
cream97
@cream97 (29085)
• United States
10 May 11
Hi. angelic123. The only thing that I would recommend to you would be to hold your nose in the best way that you can. I know that you don't want to be rude in telling the seniors to not wear their perfume, but you may have to be honest at some point. I have noticed that older people enjoy wearing perfume that has a strong scent to it, I guess their sense of smell is not as keen as it was when they were much younger. This could be the main reason why they wear strong perfume that indulges their senses.