Today, as I have more and more opportunities to meet with foreigners, I have a sudden feeling that foreigners have bad body odor.
Foreigners have a strong body odor…
In fact, cultural background has a lot to do with how we perceive body odor.
INDEX
Why is body odor of foreigners bothering you?
- I noticed a strong body odor from a foreigner on the train next to me…
- Whenever I meet a foreign friend, I always feel a distinctive body odor…
- When I traveled abroad, I was concerned about the local people’s body odor…
I am sure that many of you have experienced body odor peculiar to foreigners in this way.
But why do we Japanese find body odor of foreigners offensive?
Causes of body odor and differences by country
What causes body odor in the first place?
Human body odor is caused by the action of indigenous skin bacteria on sweat secreted by the apocrine sweat glands.
Dietary habits and lifestyle also affect body odor.
Differences in body odor by country and region
- Asia:
Tend to have relatively little body odor. Japanese are said to have particularly low body odor. - Europe:
Europe**: Has a distinctive body odor due to high intake of dairy products and meat products. Fermented foods such as cheese also affect body odor. - USA:
Due to its multi-ethnic population, body odor tends to vary. However, some people have strong body odor due to their meat-centered diet. - Africa:
Climate and genetic factors tend to cause strong body odor. In Ethiopia and other countries, body odor is affected by cuisine with unique spices. - Middle East:
Cuisine characterized by extensive use of spices. This is also reflected in body odor.
As you can see, body odor varies greatly from country to country and region to region. However, it is also true that there are significant individual differences even within the same country or region.
Differences in body odor between men and women
There are also gender differences in the strength of body odor.
Compared to women, men tend to have more severe body odor due to the development of apocrine sweat glands.
It is also known that male hormones cause body odor that is peculiar to men.
So-called age-related odors are also stronger in men.
Cultural differences in body odor
Japanese obsession with body odor
The Japanese have long been known for their sensitivity to smell.
During the Heian period (794-1185), “korimono (incense implements)” were popular among the nobility, and a culture of enjoying fragrances took root.
The aristocrats of the time created their own unique fragrances by combining fragrant woods and herbs according to the season and occasion.
In the Edo period (1603-1867), “toothpaste” spread to the common people.
The purpose of toothpaste at that time was to prevent bad breath and maintain dental health, and it can be said to be the prototype of today’s toothpaste.
Also, “odor bags,” which were used to attach fragrances to furoshiki (wrapping cloths), became popular among the common people.
Even in modern Japan, awareness of body odor care is very high.
The market for deodorant products and antiperspirants is expanding year by year, and many people use them on a daily basis.
Softeners and air fresheners are also available in abundance, helping to prevent unpleasant odors in clothing and rooms.
Strong body odor is strictly prohibited in public places such as inside companies and trains, as well as in private.
To avoid causing discomfort to those around you, you are required to use deodorant products and wear clean clothing.
People with strong body odor may have a negative image of being “unclean.
How Body Odor is Perceived in the West
On the other hand, in the West, body odor tends to be viewed as natural.
Especially in the past, body odor was positively accepted as a sign of “humanity.
For example, France has a culture that loves “body order” (body odor).
Many people wear perfumes that accentuate rather than conceal their natural body odor.
Chanel’s famous “No. 5” is said to have been created with the image of a woman’s body odor in mind.
In recent years, however, awareness of body odor care has been increasing in Europe and the United States as well.
Especially among young people, strong body odor tends to be frowned upon, and the use of deodorant products is spreading.
In the United States, the market for deodorant products has continued to expand since the first antiperspirant was launched in 1888.
It is now commonplace for many Americans to use deodorant daily.
Some countries find body odor attractive
Some cultures around the world find body odor attractive rather than repulsive.
In Morocco, men with a distinctive and strong body odor are sometimes regarded as “manly.
Body odor here refers to natural body odor caused by male hormones, not by poor hygiene.
Moroccan women see such male body odor as a symbol of “strength” and “wild charm.
In Brazil, body odor is also considered one of the “natural attractions.
Especially during passionate samba dancing, the mixture of male and female body odor is said to increase excitement.
Thus, values surrounding body odor vary greatly from country to country and culture to culture.
Body odor, which can be an object of disgust, can be seen as attractive from a different perspective.
What we consider to be common sense may in fact be only one side of the coin.
Effect of Dietary Habits on Body Odor
As mentioned earlier, diet has a significant impact on body odor.
Specifically, the following foods tend to make body odor stronger.
- Garlic, onions, and other aromatic vegetables
- Meat, especially red meat
- Fermented foods such as dairy products and cheese
- Alcoholic beverages
- Coffee
Conversely, the following foods are known to reduce body odor
- Fruits, especially citrus fruits
- Green and yellow vegetables
- Lactic acid bacteria foods such as yogurt
- Green tea
By reviewing your diet, you may be able to control body odor to some extent.
To acknowledge the diversity surrounding body odor
While there are individual differences in the way people perceive body odor, differences in cultural backgrounds also play a major role.
While we Japanese find body odor of foreigners offensive, Westerners tend to accept body odor as natural.
In other cultures, such as Morocco and Brazil, body odor is seen as a form of attractiveness.
As you can see, there is a great diversity of values surrounding body odor.
It is important to recognize that one’s own common sense and sensibilities are not the absolute standard in the world.
However, body odor that is too strong may cause discomfort.
You can counteract this to some extent by improving your diet, bathing frequently, and washing your clothes.
If you have foreign friends or colleagues, you may want to casually offer them advice on how to keep clean.
However, one should avoid unilaterally assuming that body odor of a particular racial or ethnic group is offensive.
This is because it may lead to denigrating the other person’s culture and values.
The most important thing is to recognize the diversity of body odor and respect each other.
Try to be tolerant when dealing with people who have different values than your own.
However, there may be times when body odor is physiologically unacceptable to someone who is constantly in close proximity.
In such cases, consider your own coping strategies.
- Wear a mask.
- Wear perfume (that does not offend the person).
- Ventilate the room.
- Install an air purifier.
The important thing is to respect the other person’s culture and values, while at the same time making your own compromise within a reasonable range. You must be willing to accept each other’s differences and compromise with each other.
Sometimes, differences in body odor can be a catalyst for cultural exchange.
How about viewing differences in values surrounding smell as a gateway to learning about the other person’s culture?
We need to be tolerant enough to accept and respect diverse values.
Even body odor is a reflection of culture, customs, and values.
Rather than unilaterally denying it, we should recognize differences and deepen our understanding.
Such an attitude may be indispensable for living in a multicultural society in the future.
Conclusion
- Cultural backgrounds play a major role in the concern about body odor among foreigners.
- Trends and perceptions of body odor differ greatly by country and region
- Japanese are highly conscious of body odor, while Westerners tend to view body odor as natural
- There are also gender differences in the intensity of body odor. Men tend to have stronger body odor
- Dietary habits also have a significant impact on body odor. Aromatic vegetables and meats increase body odor, while fruits and lactic acid bacteria foods suppress body odor
- It is important to recognize the diversity of body odor and respect each other
- While respecting one’s own values, it may be a good idea to deepen cross-cultural understanding through differences in body odor.
Now that interaction across nationalities has become an everyday occurrence, it would be wonderful if we could deepen our understanding of different cultures through differences in body odor. We would like to remember to be considerate of others while dealing with our own body odor.
Q&A
Q1: I have a foreign friend whose body odor bothers me. Is it rude to tell him directly?
A1: It is wise to choose your words carefully so as not to offend your friend.
Body odor is a sensitive issue, so while respecting their privacy, you may want to ask them in a friendly manner, for example, “Would you like to go shopping for deodorant products with me? It is recommended to start the conversation in a friendly manner.
Q2: I am working with a foreigner, and I am concerned about the body odor sitting next to me. How should I deal with it?
A2: First, you should consult with the appropriate contact, such as your supervisor or the Human Resources Department.
You do not want to caution the other person based on your personal sensitivities. It is a good idea to follow the company’s policy and deal with the situation without forgetting to take odor-sensitive people into consideration.
Q3: What should I do if I am concerned about a local’s body odor when traveling abroad?
A3: It is important to understand the culture and customs of the country.
Even if you are concerned about body odor, be careful in what you say and do so as not to make the local people feel uncomfortable.
Also, don’t forget to take care of yourself. It is a good idea to take measures against odor, such as carrying a mask.
Problems surrounding body odor cannot be solved overnight.
It may be important to slowly deepen understanding while respecting each other’s culture.
Have a good life!
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