If you’re an introvert, though, you may be hard-pressed to explain why you’re wearing perfume at home with your cat.
Psychologist Carl Jung first popularized the terms “introvert” and “extrovert” to describe inner-directed people, as opposed to those of whom Barbra Streisand sang, “People who need people / Are the luckiest people in the world.” And they are. American life—that includes school, business, and even religion—prizes extroverts. Yet introverts too splash on fragrance. I know because I am one. I’ve also spent my entire adult life deep in perfume obsession, first as a collector, then as a blogger, then as an author translated and published around the world.
— Tania Sanchez, in Scents and Sensitivity at Harper's Bazaar. Hat tip to Kevin!
I genuinely don’t get the stepdaughter’s question. Over on the Reddit sub r/fragrance, people are constantly asking if a scent is too weak, if is has enough projection, if it will attract women, if it’s good for clubbing (although I don’t know who’s clubbing in a pandemic). And I think they’re asking the wrong questions! I think they have the misguided idea that a fragrance functions solely as advertising, that it can only be a form of display, like an expensive watch or tailored clothing.
I’m really, really introverted, and I wear fragrances as often as I can, because I’m wearing them for *me*. Why do I listen to music through earphones? Why do I watch movies all by myself? Because I get pleasure from them: nobody else’s opinion matters. Ditto with scents: they’re works of art, and I mean to enjoy them.
Don’t get me wrong: if someone notices and compliments a fragrance, that’s a bonus. But it isn’t the point.
I rarely wear fragrance in public (and if I do, it’s so lightly applied that probably nobody else can smell it) so you’ll get no argument from me.
Yeah… I don’t get the whole perspective in this article. Why do I wear perfume? Because I like it. Why do I paint my toenails? Because I like it. Why am I wearing a pink, purple and green spotted T-shirt today? Because I like it. My life isn’t a performance for the benefit of the public.
I couldn’t agree more with all your comments, all 3 of you. I wear perfume for ME! If my husband likes a scent, well bonus point to that bottle. If he hates something I’ll wear it when he’s gone. Other than that? Tough nuggies as a friend always says.
I like it. I enjoy it. I BUY it.
You instantly made me think of Sally Bowles in Cabaret: “If I should paint my fingernails green, and it just so happens I do paint them green, well, if anyone should ask me why, I say: I think it’s pretty! I think it’s pretty, I reply.”
And that is a very good thing to keep in the back of your mind at all times: I will do little things that bring me pleasure for no other reason than that they bring me pleasure.
Right there with you–I thought the stepdaughter’s question was pointless, and Tania’s answering it, rather than saying that she just likes perfume, was really pointless as well. Why wear perfume at home with your cat? Why NOT wear perfume at home with your cat? Duh!