Deodorant = Denial
Deodorant is not just a practical issue... it is a philosophical one. With all of that poverty and starvation out in the world, how does one reconcile the use of deodorant? In the U.S. and Europe, deodorant is taken for granted (like most things). But in most countries deodorant is a luxury. On packed and sweltering buses around the world, people ignore the odors of their compatriots... not because they want to... because they have no choice.
In the U.S., we take deodorant for granted. We are completely oblivious to the fact that using deodorant is not just a practical issue, but a philosophical one. We Americans like to do things without thinking. But on some level, every person must address the fact that they are -- in essence -- a dirty wild animal. One of the results of this is that -- sometime between bathing and putting on clothes -- we fall victim to the ritual of applying deodorant. Some go for the spicy, fresh, or mountain scents, while others opt for fancy designer brands. But one thing is sure: just about everybody is using deodorant.
The great myth of deodorant is that we do it for other people. WRONG!
We do it for ourselves! We are ashamed of ourselves. We are scared of ourselves... scared of the nasty and brutish little acts wild animals are fond of committing. And that is where deodorant comes in. People think to themselves... "I wear deodorant because B.O. smells bad." WRONG AGAIN! You have simply been conditioned by your culture to believe that B.O. smells bad.
Our use of deodorant is second in importance, only to that of our despearte need to wear clothing. How often do we find ourselves, trapped in a blurry dream, sitting naked at a school desk in front of the entire class? We have all had this dream. And it is a dream with roots in the transition into civilized society and religious guilt. We are scared of our feral past. We want to believe that we are becoming some sort of highly stylized, odorless, and disinfected cyborgian creatures. Everything about our popular culture -- from the mediated action fantasies of movies and video games, to the geometric and lifeless buildings we live in -- is an attempt to rise above our mortality and helplessness. We are animals, trying to be machines.
If you are one of an elite few, then you may have happened upon the two most highly evolved deodorants known to man: Calvin Klein's Eternity and Escape (no disrespect to the ladies). These two deodorants represent the essence of our modern struggle with body odor. On the one hand, we have man's quest for omnipotence and immortality... thus Eternity. And on the other hand we have man's inability to overcome his own vulnerability and mortality... for which Calvin Klein has offered Escape.
There are no accidents in human culture. Everything has a reason. Calvin Klein did not imbue these top-of-the-line deodorants with such powerful names because they got high ratings in a focus group. Calvin Klein is at the cutting edge of our struggle with the wild beast that resides in each and every one of us.
Sadly, even Calvin Klein knows a deodorant is only worth so much in this struggle. For years I myself have struggled with the reminders of my animal past. Many people ask me how I deal with body odors. On most days, a little soap and water seems to do the trick. But on those particularly bad, stressed-out days where soap and water just won't cut it, I have found the best defense is to swab one armpit with Escape, and the other with Eternity... and hope for the best.
Posted by Eric on June 28, 2003 12:01 AM
b.o so does not smell good. you are weird
its not a philosophical issue its a hygiene
You're totally off here. People wear deodorant out of respect of each other. If I'm alone by myself, I don't bother with it. If other people are going to be around, I use it for their benefit. Good luck on your quest.
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y do ppl sweet well i put on soo much deodernt but i still sweet can u tell me y is dat happnin 2 me?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
fair enough you are right
i sweet so much when i'm nervous it goes through my clothes. I need help, but my dad won't let me buy anything to help myself. All i could use is deo and that doesn't do anything really.
What you need, natasha, is anti-perspirant. deodorant doesn't stop sweating, anti-perspirant does
My father was a pro bicycle rider back in the 70's. He said he didnt wear antiperspirants in events because they block your sweat glands. Your sweat glands are there for a reason. I wear deoderant when I go to work, but if Im doing an athletic activity I dont.
Deoderant was proven to cause breast cancer in women and some men. Have at it
Hi,
Should men wear deodrant or cologne?Where should we wear either things on body or clothes?
I read this article because I teach English as a second language. Different cultures have different ideas about BO---Does any one know of cross-cultural research or explanations of body odor?
If you don't choose to use anything under your arms you run the risk of just ordinary folks whom you come into contact with to find you dirty. Something has to be used to stop the odor. Body Wash and specific deodrants make you life and those around you more appealing. At home alone, who cares. I use spray and the whole nine yards because i love it for me .
i am starting to use deodorant and i feel very sticky.how to use a deodrant?????????????
When you start to use deodrant for the first time you will fee something sticky under your arms. Your arms are adjusting to something new and refreshing. What did you do or use before ? Without it I Found your clothing like a shirt or blouse will carry your body ordor. Nerver put o much on for the first time. When applying it go up and down once. Too much is overbearing. Try a solid or a clear.. not strong.
I personally don't wear deodorant, I'm vegan, exclude gluten from my diet, and eat all organic food. I've been this way for two years. I never have issues with BO anymore, when I was still eating meat and processed foods it was REALLY bad. So in my opinion, it's what you're putting into your bodies that makes it so. Heh, I sound like a hippie! =D
