Why are we offended by of people's odors, but not our own?

Question

Not sure where to categorize this question

Answer 1

because we are used to our own offensive nature

Answer 2

I got news for you , my armpits are extremely offensive to me.

And so is the rest of my body odor. It used to be sexual signal in early man but times have changed fortunately

Answer 3

we are offended by people's odors because they are new to us. and we aren't to our own because we are used to it and we can hardly notice it sometimes. we will begin to note our own odors when it became too strong or different from the usual.

Answer 4

Because they smell like funk & I smell like soap.

Answer 5

It's a statement about our own subjectivity...

And, how we will justify or excuse our own behaviors, habits and natures, while effortless judging others!

Answer 6

Your body adapts to it, just like it adapts to braces or a cast. Eventually, your body can't even pick it up anymore because it is so used to it.

Answer 7

Sometimes I am offended by my own body odors--specifically when I am menstruating. During that time, ALL my body odors offend me.

I also live in a place where people don't make the liberal use of soap and water as much as in other geographic areas,so I am often offended.

Maybe I have an extra sensitive nose...

Good luck

Answer 8

Basically it is because our own odours do not smell so bad to us. It is as if the body has built up a defense system so that it gets used to its own odour.

Answer 9

i dont know ? but ive had plenty of my own odors i found very offensive, just not as offensive as others found them

Answer 10

i can stand my sh_t , but i can't stand yours.............

Answer 11

Well, I can't speak for everyone else of course, but I am offended greatly not only by other's body odor, but my own as well!  I'm disgusted when I stink, although it's not often.  ;)  That's just nasty man!

Answer 12

Well I dont stink at least not that I know of.

ANd people that smell bad in public is just gross.It makes me feel sick at times or disgusted.I have smelled the baby powder/p**p smell and the musty/perfume smell way to often.

Answer 13

Our brains allow for what is called sensory adaptation. This allows us to lose full awareness of a smell about 60 seconds after we're introduced to it. This is why we don't smell our own BO.

The guy next to you who didn't shower? You caught a strong whiff of him when he first came up, then you lost the scent in 60 seconds, but it came back again, and will continue to do so.

Answer 14

This is a interesting question.  It probably is phermone related.  That is why hunter can rub urine all of themselves and not be attacked by preying animals.

Answer 15

yeah.. i've wondered that too... like.. some people even seem to ENJOY their own "odors." now... i actually had a bf that worked construction, (and my husband now works concerts,so same thing) who would come home sweaty.. and i loved the smell of him after a long day of work. however.. sometimes.. i have odors that are noxious and make me offended! like right now.. i'm really sick... and the things that come out of my body are enough to make me want to croak!

Answer 16

Doesn't' Prince sing a great song about pheromones?