Ewww! Think of all the movies you’ve seen and romance novels set pre-1888 with hot romantic scenes. The pungent body odors must have been stifling in reality. Ewww!
Years ago but it's probably still the case... One thing you had to be careful about, not be overwhelmed by the "effluves", was never to be downwind from an orthodox priest, never mind a group of them, especially in summer!
For instance, where I grew up body odors went pretty much unnoticed. Asked about it, I'm pretty sure. People and I too would have looked at you funny as in "what the ... are you talking about?"
Then I came to live over here. After having been "Americanized" for a few years, I went back, took the subway! 😳
I have seen a real spittoon used by tobacco chewers, plenty as a matter of fact. I went to a university with a very large College of Agriculture and in the classroom buildings where ag and science classes were taught there was a spittoon next to every drinking fountain.
Great read, Diane. A group of us in high school were recruited as extras for the opera Cavalleria Rusticana, for a grand wage of $5 a show. I came home from the first rehearsal with the monk's habit that went with my role. One whiff and my mother sent me to the shower and promptly threw the habit in the washer. I wonder if that was the first time that the garment was ever washed. But to judge from your post, the garment was historically accurate from at least the olfactory perspective.😂.
I have to think of Native American who used herbs after bathing in streams or lakes. They could not hunt a deer or other prey if they smelled and knew what down wind meant. Then the real Indians of India new bathing and unguents as well as Egyptians and Roman baths were common. It’s no wonder at the fall of the Roman Empire that death and decay took hold of the nostrils with the dark ages. Not all cultures were nose-worthy but Europeans past Shakespearean time just added another layer of clothes. How far has the human race come? Only the nose knows.
Interesting read Diane. A little off subject; several years ago, while watching some chase & kill movie, I thought, if the killer was running and chasing somebody, s/he’d be sweating and if not wearing deodorant, you could smell the odor. If wearing deodorant, you could smell the (cheap) perfume. Sense of smell needs more attention in films and tv, not just in films about scent; e.g., Perfume.
Years ago but it's probably still the case... One thing you had to be careful about, not be overwhelmed by the "effluves", was never to be downwind from an orthodox priest, never mind a group of them, especially in summer!
Can you say chemical warfare!
Haha! That’s what I mean!
It's all about the environment I believe.
For instance, where I grew up body odors went pretty much unnoticed. Asked about it, I'm pretty sure. People and I too would have looked at you funny as in "what the ... are you talking about?"
Then I came to live over here. After having been "Americanized" for a few years, I went back, took the subway! 😳
God the stink was so intense! 🤭🤧🤢
The worst stink was on a tour in the Holy Land, and the tour had garlic emanation from every pore, not just his breath. Eww!
Used water….😬😳😱
The indigenous Americans thought the European “settlers” were the unkept savages because they stunk, only taking a bath once a year.
I have seen a real spittoon used by tobacco chewers, plenty as a matter of fact. I went to a university with a very large College of Agriculture and in the classroom buildings where ag and science classes were taught there was a spittoon next to every drinking fountain.
Gross!
As a backsliding Christian I can say this ... of course, Christians came up with something this stupid. After all, look where we are now.
Great read, Diane. A group of us in high school were recruited as extras for the opera Cavalleria Rusticana, for a grand wage of $5 a show. I came home from the first rehearsal with the monk's habit that went with my role. One whiff and my mother sent me to the shower and promptly threw the habit in the washer. I wonder if that was the first time that the garment was ever washed. But to judge from your post, the garment was historically accurate from at least the olfactory perspective.😂.
Good point, Manuel!
I have to think of Native American who used herbs after bathing in streams or lakes. They could not hunt a deer or other prey if they smelled and knew what down wind meant. Then the real Indians of India new bathing and unguents as well as Egyptians and Roman baths were common. It’s no wonder at the fall of the Roman Empire that death and decay took hold of the nostrils with the dark ages. Not all cultures were nose-worthy but Europeans past Shakespearean time just added another layer of clothes. How far has the human race come? Only the nose knows.
Love your last line!
Interesting read Diane. A little off subject; several years ago, while watching some chase & kill movie, I thought, if the killer was running and chasing somebody, s/he’d be sweating and if not wearing deodorant, you could smell the odor. If wearing deodorant, you could smell the (cheap) perfume. Sense of smell needs more attention in films and tv, not just in films about scent; e.g., Perfume.
Thanks, BmG. It’s a fantasy that some never have thought about!