It’s been almost thirty years since I moved tables in a restaurant after a woman, another patron, made a big scene about the cologne I was wearing. Embarrassing to say the least, but also somewhat maddening given I wear my cologne tastefully and am the last person who would ever dream of trespassing upon another person’s quality of life. But yet it happened, my wife and I already seated at Rialto’s, a North Bay restaurant that made the best burger I’ve ever experienced, something I still feel the same about today despite the place having closed long ago.
We were already seated and had placed our order. Another party of six showed up that included the woman who, almost immediately, began to create a scene.
Now, just some background, but I don’t shower in the stuff like some dudes and dames do. Just a little drop on the wrist, just like my wife taught me. And it was good stuff too. I used to go to places like The Bay or Eatons and collect cologne samples of all the really expensive fragrances. The way I use cologne, each of those little vials would last me a very long time. This was, quite likely, the best smelling version of me ever, way back in the late 1990’s.
I finally figured out what her problem was, since all the looks and pointed fingers were coming my way. The waitress was flustered, the woman asked for the manager, who also appeared flustered, and it was clear that this malcontent of a person had absolutely no problem with escalating the situation in public. So my wife and I agreed that we would volunteer to be re-seated somewhere else in the restaurant. In retrospect, perhaps I should have just left, but then there’s that burger I was talking about, and I couldn’t let this woman ruin one of the highlights of any of our trips to North Bay. As well, my wife and I were sort of regulars there, and neither of us wanted to play the asshole and stand on our rights, given that such a move would have put the restaurant staff in a really awkward spot. So we yielded, and went to another spot to restore peace in the land.
I haven’t worn cologne since.
It makes me wonder about the state of the fragrance industry these days, and the number of people who still purchase and wear their products given the increasing number of scent-free environments, such as workplaces, schools, healthcare facilities, and public spaces that have moved in this direction.
Honestly, colognes and perfumes were almost a go-to gift for some folks on your shopping list, and I still remember buying my brother a bottle of Hai Karate one Christmas, and Brute on another. Perfume, chocolate, and flowers once made up the triumvirate of Valentine’s Day gifts, and I’ll bet chocolates and flowers remain on that list. But I was wondering about fragrances, given how many places in today’s world frown upon their use in public spaces.
Sure, the prevalence of scent-free environments has raised awareness about the impact of fragrances on individuals with sensitivities or allergies, perhaps like the woman in Rialto’s. People seem to be more mindful of the potential adverse reactions that fragrances can trigger in others, and honestly I have no issue with that.
Like me, I’m sure many individuals over time have modified their behaviour by reducing or eliminating their use of fragrances in response to scent-free policies. If that means avoiding perfumes, colognes, scented lotions, and other scented products in places where they may cause discomfort or health issues for others, then so be it. I don’t want to be responsible for someone else’s headaches, respiratory issues, or skin irritation
One would think the demand for fragrance-free or hypoallergenic personal care products has increased as more people seek alternatives to traditional fragranced products. I suppose there are many companies now offer fragrance-free options to cater to this demand, though I don’t know this for sure. I’m hopeful the shift towards scent-free environments has had a positive impact on promoting inclusivity, accommodating individuals with sensitivities, and fostering healthier and more comfortable spaces for everyone. My right to smell the way I want should not trump another’s right to breathe.
How have the fragrance manufacturers responded to this over the years? Surely they must have taken some sort of hit to their bottom line, what with people laying off using their products, or modifying the use of their products.
Fragrance makers have responded by diversifying their product offerings to include fragrance-free or hypoallergenic options, allowing them to cater to consumers who prefer or require scent-free products. They’ve also invested in research and development to create alternative formulations that are less likely to cause adverse reactions.This may involve identifying and using ingredients that are less likely to trigger sensitivities or developing innovative delivery systems that minimize scent dispersion.
I would guess that the new normal presents challenges for fragrance makers in marketing and selling their products. They may need to adapt their marketing strategies to emphasize other potential product benefits, such as skincare benefits or natural ingredients, rather than focusing solely on fragrance.
To adapt, fragrance makers may become innovative in fragrance delivery systems, such as personal fragrance devices that allow individuals to control the intensity and dispersion of the scent or wearable fragrance technologies that minimize scent exposure to others.
All this is well and good, but as for me, I think I’ll just keep my cologne-wearing days behind me. One traumatic event in a lifetime is good enough for me.
I’ll miss the Rialto burger for sure. The cologne? Maybe not so much.
NEWSMAGRENFREW 