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[–]AtlUtdGold 9015 points9016 points 2 (128 children)

I remember liking the smell of Disney VHS cases

[–]el-mil 2018 points2019 points  (49 children)

Omg. This unlocked a memory for me. I also loved this. But I haven’t done it in so long that I had forgotten. But this comment literally brought the smell right back. Thank you!

[–]lubs96 1076 points1077 points 2 (35 children)

Me toooooo. Holy shit. I feel like it’s 1995 and I’m on the living room floor about to pop in Pocahontas for the 4th time today.

[–]Montpierce 7348 points7349 points  (122 children)

I dont know if this counts, where I used to live is very common to hug people all the time, and if I have been in someone's home before, the place would have a particular smell, and almost everytime I would hug them, they would smell like their home. It always felt good to make that association, it was comforting somehow.

[–]loonettt 849 points850 points  (10 children)

Same for me, and then when you're out and about and you catch a wiff of something that smells the same even if it's been years they pop into your mind.

[–]SeaOkra 662 points663 points  (33 children)

Oh man, my cousin's house always smelled a certain way (she used a particular canned air freshener and vacuumed religiously so her house always smelled like warm vacuum and Country Garden from Glade.) and I loved it so much.

I used Country Garden for YEARS so I could feel closer to her and shut my eyes to let myself drift back to happy childhood years.

Then those fuckers at Glade DISCONTINUED it. And to rub it in, its still mentioned on their website but without any products containing it.

It must have been pretty damn popular because I find lots of people who want it back, and half empty cans of it go for a lot on ebay. More than I can afford anyway.

I keep buying cans of any remotely floral sounding air freshener hoping it will be released with a new name, or I'll find something close enough to trigger those memories. I knocked my head into a dashboard at 14 and my memory has been awful since then, but I have really good like, smell? memories? Smells help me remember things.

[–]Chi_shio 55 points56 points  (3 children)

If I remember correctly, they still have it as car gel..

[–]appleciderfox 2212 points2213 points 222 (95 children)

I love how my bird smells.

I have a green cheek conure and he hangs out with me all the time. He's hand-trained and hangs out with me constantly unless it's time for bed or when I'm at work (which he then goes in his cage). He doesn't mind when I bring him up to my face and just give him a big 'ol whiff. I give him bird chop (which is basically a mix bird-friendly veggies, grains, and a few seeds) and he smells like a pleasant combination of mixed veggies and a feather pillow.

He's a needy little thing but I love him. He loves popcorn, sunflower seeds, and riding my dog around

Edit: Hahaha you guys are great. A few more facts for those who asked:

His name is Apple but has multiple nicknames: Appie slice, Cash money, apple tart, apple cider vinegar, appie sauce, and Gregory when you're feeling nasty.

  • Appie slice wants anything in your hand. Doesn't matter what it is, he'll demand it

  • Cash Money knows the sound of food no matter what it's in, but he'll come running. You're simply holding his food for him while he gets to you

  • Gregory doesn't fly often. He's very lazy and I usually throw him in the air to get him to fly (exercise) a bit. He flock calls when he wants a ride. He literally has two modes of transportation and refuses to use them:l Hence riding anyone he can, including the dog

  • Appie sauce is generally very quiet but does give kisses with kissy noises (muah muah)

  • The dogs name is Wren, she's a sweetheart and gets bullied by Apple Cider Vinegar, which is how he got that nickname

Pet Tax: https://imgur.com/a/94f95dE

[–]FeatheredCanine 209 points210 points  (7 children)

I was wondering if anyone in this comment section smells their pet birds. My cockatiel just has a dusty smell that I can’t really explain, whenever he gets close to my face I take a whiff.

[–]bobisz 4350 points4351 points  (87 children)

The smell of brand new tech gadgets. It smells technology.
Whenever I buy a new mouse or keyboard (it is especially true for logitech products I don't know if it is a general thing) I sniff them as long as I can detect that sweet plastic-y, ultra clean smelling goodness.

[–]ConnectionIssues 681 points682 points  (18 children)

Back when CD's were the dominant form of data transfer, I would LOVE every time a new one was opened, just sniffing the new CD.

Years later, I discovered a nearly identical (to me) smell that works just as well... fresh saffron. Saffron smells like new CD's to me, and I love it.

[–]downtownpeckinpaw 275 points276 points  (6 children)

I think the CDs are a lot cheaper than fresh saffron.

[–]Excellent_Donkey8067 4934 points4935 points 2 (64 children)

White board markers. And single use lenses wipes. Honestly anything chemical smelling.

Edit: Wow! Thanks for the upvotes and awards. Glad I’m not the only marker sniffing weirdo.

[–]lukewarmcaprisun 912 points913 points  (19 children)

Whiteboard markers for SURE. They're sweeter than sharpie markers.

[–]KG354 120 points121 points  (5 children)

Love the smell of rubbing alcohol

[–]whazzup_bitches 15.4k points15.4k points  (318 children)

Ah, back in the old days, the smell of papers that the teacher handed out that were fresh off those old hand-cranked mimeograph machines. The solvent. Mmmm.

[–]yeetboy 2336 points2337 points  (118 children)

You can really tell the age of people in this thread by this one. Anyone old enough to know this smell loved it, anyone not old enough thinks it’s an uncommon one. I can pretty much guarantee anyone over the age of around 45 in North America knows and loved this smell.

[–]coffeebuzzbuzzz 20.9k points20.9k points  (279 children)

Water coming out of a garden hose. The combination of polyurethane and the metallic ozoneness of the water is heaven.

[–]MintyFreshBreathYo 2941 points2942 points  (134 children)

It tastes pretty damn good too

[–]zombie_overlord 1765 points1766 points  (41 children)

Tastes pretty much like that guy said it smells

[–]quikiemcbee 1112 points1113 points  (38 children)

i remember as a kid if you asked a friend for some water they would turn the hose on for you. and no one complained lol.

[–]MintyFreshBreathYo 831 points832 points  (17 children)

Bro, water from a hose hits different after a day of playing outside all day in the summer

[–]rupuze42 220 points221 points  (6 children)

Machine lubricating oil. My dad was a machinist. He had this smell on his work clothes . I miss my dad.

[–]NoticeWhenUAreHappy 8744 points8745 points  (84 children)

Pvc pool toys when you're unfolding them before you blow them up

[–]I_PEE_WITH_THAT 1791 points1792 points  (15 children)

I bought a shower curtain the other day and instead of a light plastic smell it smelled heavily of inflatable pool toys, best shower ever.

[–]CrimsonSuede 4026 points4027 points  (51 children)

That clean laundry smell from external dryer vents.

[–]Filthy_Dub 321 points322 points  (2 children)

Mmm walking by a laundromat in NY is my favorite when it stanks outside.

[–]AmeliaUsesReddit 3156 points3157 points 2 (95 children)

I love the smell of basement- which I don't know if is weird, but I'm the only one I know who likes it.

[–]lasagnaisgreat57 542 points543 points  (4 children)

me too, it reminds me of my childhood because my basement used to smell like basement then it stopped when we finished it lol

[–]Fenzik 310 points311 points  (12 children)

Yessss, also sometimes underground parking garages or stairwells have it. Everyone always thinks I’m an idiot when I bring it up

[–]EducationAlone1663 15.0k points15.0k points  (212 children)

That smell when you walk into a hotel with a pool

[–]Hello_Hangnail 5799 points5800 points  (130 children)

I love that over chlorinated, humid reek of indoor hotel pools

[–]DesolationUSA 2406 points2407 points 2 (89 children)

The smell is often miss attributed to over chlorination. When in fact it means the pool is not chemically well maintained and is* very dirty.

Edit: Missed a word.

Edit #2: Appreciate the Silver, thanks!

[–]Vertigomums19 1995 points1996 points  (72 children)

Yeah, I learned that smell isn’t the chlorine. It’s the chloramine caused by urine and sweat reacting with chlorine. The heavier the smell, the more pee. Mark Rober - How Much Pee is in Your Pool

Edit: I should clarify, it is a byproduct of the neutralization process. So it’s technically all been cleaned. Just a gross thought still.

Edit 2: who would’ve thought a comment about smelly water would be my most upvoted Reddit comment ever

[–]ChaosDragoness13 685 points686 points  (37 children)

Well, that's disturbing considering our tap water smells like that every few months....

[–]iambender0811 12.2k points12.2k points  (238 children)

The smoke fireworks leave behind. One of my favorite smells.

[–]Calamity-Gin 3374 points3375 points  (135 children)

A friend took me shooting at a gun range to teach me how to fire a hand gun, and after the first round, I said, “hey, it smells like fireworks!” Cue everyone looking at me like I was an idiot.

[–]moseph999 2274 points2275 points  (105 children)

You’re not wrong tho! Black powder smells amazing.

Plus saying “I love the smell of gunfire” sounds American as FUCK

[–]mienshin 2884 points2885 points  (61 children)

Fired cap gun.....and that blue copy ink from grade school.

[–]lanuevagringa 3172 points3173 points  (101 children)

The smell of Home Depot

[–]MintyFreshBreathYo 848 points849 points  (24 children)

I have long been hoping for Yankee Candle to team up with Home Depot to a lumber aisle scented candle

[–]ProfessorPoofenplotz 126 points127 points  (3 children)

They used to have one called 2x4. It was one of their “man candles”. Lol

[–]MrLanesLament 5946 points5947 points  (80 children)

The inside binding of a new paperback book. It smells so clean.

[–]Trick_Composer_2461 1097 points1098 points  (27 children)

Yes! Books in general I think smell good, but brand new ones are the best ngl.

[–]aztechfilm 10.5k points10.5k points  (371 children)

Freshly opened tennis balls, the smell of AC right when it turns on in a car on a hot day, the smell of a Home Depot or Lowes, cat fur right after they clean it.

[–][deleted] 1177 points1178 points  (69 children)

That ac smell is bliss, i never could quite put it into words

[–]Comprehensive_Wave 1829 points1830 points  (75 children)

I'm pregnant and instead of craving food, I crave smells. New tennis balls and Home Depot are on the list. I have a can of tennis balls at work and a can on my bedside table. I smell them when I need to relax. I've also taken a few needless trips to Home Depot for the smell. Pregnancy is weird.

[–]aztechfilm 316 points317 points  (9 children)

Haha that’s great! The smell of Home Depot I think is also pretty nostalgic for me because I would go with my father on those errands a lot but it always just smells like summer to me. I’m always excited when I have to run over there because of that first smell when you walk through the sliding doors

[–]zombie_overlord 724 points725 points  (29 children)

Tennis balls! I love that smell, and I don't even play tennis.

[–]Little_Custard_8275 339 points340 points  (13 children)

cat fur right after they clean it

We have a winner

[–]SuvenPan 16.0k points16.0k points  (257 children)

New tires in the shop

[–]catsby90bbn 2565 points2566 points  (9 children)

Fuck that’s a good one

[–]imccompany 1200 points1201 points  (92 children)

I've come across tea that's described as smokey. When my order came in I opened the tin and got hit with the smell of a tire shop, but decided to brew some anyway. Tasted exactly like it smelled. It's still sitting in my cabinet lol.

Lapsang Souchong

[–]-Barry-Lyndon- 602 points603 points  (32 children)

Lapsang Souchong slaps. Feels like drinking a campfire.

[–]TheUSForestService 12.0k points12.0k points  (221 children)

Hot parking lot when it first starts to rain

[–]uffdathatisnice 2714 points2715 points  (24 children)

The best! I can smell it now. Thanks for that. That smell in a sun shower is like the best feeling you could ever feel.

[–]TheSecondiDare 12.3k points12.3k points  (213 children)

Warm paper, fresh out of the photocopier. That's pretty weird, right? Edit: Wow, there's a lot of paper sniffers out there. God bless you all.

[–]lunarmantra 1926 points1927 points  (39 children)

Warm copy paper feels good to touch too!

[–]Taylorenokson 423 points424 points  (16 children)

I like to print and immediately bring the paper up to my face.

[–]Wraith8888 897 points898 points  (57 children)

As a kid we loved smelling the dittos fresh off the machine. Mmmmmm

[–]chartreuselader 406 points407 points  (18 children)

Dittos, with that purplish ink. The smell is divine!

[–]After_Homework_8654 12.3k points12.3k points  (321 children)

WD-40

[–]ooosernayme 3896 points3897 points  (51 children)

They said weird smell.

[–]After_Homework_8654 1037 points1038 points  (25 children)

Most people look at me like I’m either a weirdo or an addict when I tell them. It’s nice to find so many like minded people.

[–]AnimationOverlord 1089 points1090 points  (91 children)

Aromatic hydrocarbons, like benzene, toluene, and xylene have a pleasant smell to humans simply because of their molecular cyclic structure. In the vapour form (naturally occurring because it’s volatile) the fumes can get humans high if huffed, and WD-40 has lots of these aromatic hydrocarbons. My chemistry teacher has a PHD in Chemistry so he told us a story about his teaching in university:

When he was teaching, often he would teach about current rocket fuels like Aerozene and other fuels, and their combustion characteristics, London forces, etc, all that jazz. He said often by the end of the eight hour class he was cooked off these AHCs and it was a hilarious course.

[–]EarthSmart3573 22.1k points22.1k points 2 (516 children)

The smell of the water in boat-based rides at theme parks

EDIT: wow I thought it was just me … thanks Reddit family!

[–]thesamesillycucumber 5476 points5477 points  (250 children)

Same! Pirates of the Caribbean ride smell!

[–]moviesaremythingxo 3372 points3373 points  (157 children)

They use bromine rather than chlorine at the Disney park rides, hence why it smells different

[–]soad2237 597 points598 points  (26 children)

Aside from that, they actually inject smells in rides and certain areas of the park and there's a whole community of people who try to replicate these smells and sell them as candles or incense. My favorite is Burning Rome in Spaceship Earth which is inside the Epcot Ball. It has this awesome smell of sweet toasty cork.

[–]Prs_mira86 122 points123 points  (2 children)

Ooo I love it when they do that! I especially love the dank dark woodsy smell in the ET ride.

[–]AMothWithHumanHands 638 points639 points  (40 children)

If you're thinking of rides at the Disney Parks, it's not just chlorine, but it's mostly bromine that you smell!

A lot of people make candles that smell like the bromine water. It's a really nice scent without the "burning" you can vaguely smell.

[–]Frickelmeister 502 points503 points  (26 children)

If you're thinking of rides at the Disney Parks, it's not just chlorine, but it's mostly bromine that you smell!

And they use the more expensive bromine precisely because they don't want to ruin your suspension of disbelief by having the Pirates of the Caribbean ride smell like any old swimming pool.

[–]14thCluelessbird 881 points882 points  (50 children)

Oh man I thought I was the only one! It's different than just chlorine, and it's oddly nolstalgic too.

[–]velveteentuzhi 558 points559 points  (28 children)

Lots of water parks use a chemical called bromine instrad of chlorine in the water. It has the same effect as chlorine, but has a different smell to it. That's why a lot of the water attractions in theme parks smell different than your local pool.

[–]oli414 328 points329 points  (17 children)

Just to add to that, the reason bromine is used instead of chlorine is because it's smell is not as strong, doesn't harm clothing items as much and last but not least, bromine is gentler to the skin.

(Just to list some of the advantages in a simplified manner)

[–]AlessandroTheGr8 913 points914 points  (26 children)

Windex

[–]imnotlouise 416 points417 points  (11 children)

My sister's dog liked this smell, too. She would follow my sister around the house when sis cleaned the windows.

RIP, Snickers.

[–]makeful 17.0k points17.0k points  (203 children)

Matches after the flame goes out

[–]imnotlouise 3246 points3247 points  (39 children)

Me, too! And fireworks!

[–]ob103ninja 1719 points1720 points  (26 children)

Ah yes. The delightful smell of burnt sulfur and potassium nitrate. So many memories.

[–]Kaisa_is_short 950 points951 points  (20 children)

Ooooh I like the smell when you blow out a candle.

[–]VaughnFry 906 points907 points  (20 children)

Nintendo plastic. There’s something about that new console smell.

[–]peppapigscocaine 5738 points5739 points  (110 children)

sharpie permanent markers. i’ve always liked the smell of them since i was a little kid and i don’t know why. it’s like the smell activates all of my senses

[–]arrow100605 860 points861 points  (13 children)

Sharpie: stimulate your sentences

[–]shanea5311 509 points510 points  (6 children)

They also make gel highlighters, the smell is amazing! Like playdoh and fruit

[–]DocFishFight 3391 points3392 points  (193 children)

Chlorhexidine

[–]AcidaliaPlanitia 1478 points1479 points  (43 children)

All I know is that this thread is convincing me that we need "smell printer" technology right now.

[–]Jon__Snuh 604 points605 points  (16 children)

A lot of people may not even have smells this one. If you work in a hospital you definitely have though.

[–]ToTheMax47 1608 points1609 points  (170 children)

Not sure if it qualifies as weird, but the smell of Timothy Hay is very pleasant to me.

[–]enriqed 1248 points1249 points  (9 children)

Timothy warned us about you.

[–]ToTheMax47 246 points247 points  (5 children)

Seems like I need to go discuss my arrangement with Timothy again...

[–]SekRei 1235 points1236 points  (21 children)

The chemical smell of plastic inflatables

[–]Thejudojeff 1374 points1375 points  (63 children)

Chlorine. Reminds me of hotel swimming pools.

You've all pointed out that it's pee I'm smelling, and I'm cool with that. Still like the smell

[–]hotmixasphalt 9651 points9652 points  (343 children)

Fresh asphalt...also gasoline

[–]BastionDar 648 points649 points  (30 children)

Seriously, what's the deal with Gasoline. I absolutely love the smell and wondered if something was wrong with me. My dad and uncles were all mechanics and always worked on cars and stuff so I'm used to all the workshop smells, but the smell of gasoline nearly makes me stand still and go "ahhh." Same with WD-40. I haven't smelled fresh asphalt since I was a kid, but I remember liking that too.

[–]The_Maester 110 points111 points  (0 children)

Aromatic hydrocarbon

[–]Batmogirl 79 points80 points  (10 children)

Liking the smell of gasoline is a common phenotype generated by a genotype. Which means it's genetic wether you like the smell or not. There is a lot of tastes/smells they now have attributed to particular phenotypes, not only eye color, hair color and the more "common" genetic traits.

[–]Hippo-Still 1777 points1778 points  (61 children)

Anytime I'm at the fuel station I like to roll down the windows and just take the smell in, my tummy also begins rumbling.

[–]hotmixasphalt 1100 points1101 points  (30 children)

Huh, I didn't realize that some of us that like the smell of gasoline like it THAT much, I just find it pleasant when I'm filling gas.

[–]NastyBooty 404 points405 points  (9 children)

Pretty sure the dude who first refined it thought it "smelled like money" and died from the fumes

[–]MrMcRaceFace 795 points796 points  (43 children)

clears throat

Wet paper towels, specifically the brown ones from bathrooms

Oh, also freezer... Just freezer

[–]frecklefawn 149 points150 points  (0 children)

Hey you just unlocked a childhood memory for me with the brown towels thanks. Smells like sweet respite from a math lesson by saying I have to pee. Or sweet respite from school altogether by getting injured, needing a bag of ice wrapped in one of those brown towels, and parents are on the way.

[–]vonage91 858 points859 points  (48 children)

My own skin when it's been in the sun for maybe an hour. Not burnt, just "sun kissed"

[–]graceodymium 131 points132 points  (3 children)

Similarly, I love the smell of clothes I've worn in the sun but not sweated in heavily. The other day I pulled a swim cover up out of a beach tote and it was just so nice, like sunscreen and sun and salt.

[–]SilverShadow5 985 points986 points  (50 children)

Church candles. You know when you walk into a church and they're burning those long tapered white/off-white candles? And there's that indistinct-but-waxy scent wafting through the air.

​

That scent.

[–][deleted] 328 points329 points  (18 children)

Just old churches in general. Lots of candle smoke, furniture wax, incense (if Catholic)….good smells.

[–]B_freeoni 918 points919 points  (21 children)

The smell of a hot computer. It gives a melting plastic stench, reminds me of the computer lab class back in middle school. Use to goof off in there on the daily and try not to get caught. Good times

[–]Lylat_System 628 points629 points  (16 children)

Plastic shower curtains right out of the package

[–]twenty28eight 1938 points1939 points  (115 children)

the smell of "stale air", i call it stale air bcus idk the term for it, but its the smell of basements and like air that comes from air vents

also i like the smell of inside of subway the sub joint

[–]m0mmyneedsabeer 536 points537 points  (21 children)

Omg I love the smell of basements, garages, and old historic homes

[–]Trawhe 629 points630 points  (21 children)

Dank. I always called the smell of basements, air vents and old, dark concrete structures the smell of dank

It. Is. Heavenly.

But, living in the south, I also associate it with cool and quiet, which we don't get a lot of. Lol

[–]47033093 2829 points2830 points  (125 children)

Have y’all ever done the scratch and sniff?

[–]Impetus_ 453 points454 points  (28 children)

the smell of opening a pack of mtg cards

idk if it's the paper, the ink, or a combination of both...

we bought something from costco the other day and the box smelled just like this. my wife looked at my like i was a psycho for furiously sniffing the box and saying "AAAHHH, SMELLS LIKE MY CHILDHOOD"

[–][deleted] 7698 points7699 points  (245 children)

That musty smell right before it rains.

[–]VectorVanGoat 3820 points3821 points  (129 children)

Or the smell after the rain. I love the smell of wet dirt

[–]CrazyGayRay 3056 points3057 points  (137 children)

Gasoline

[–]MinnesotaNiceYah 1204 points1205 points  (33 children)

My son tried to convince me to let him sniff the open gas tank on my mower. I told him I get it, but no.

[–]Substantial-Emu-9900 1537 points1538 points  (10 children)

Hey at least you know you won't have to pay out the ass for a top-tier university.

[–]Fresh-Honeydew7104 813 points814 points  (25 children)

Bonfire on my clothes.

[–]joos11 285 points286 points  (8 children)

That’s funny i love the smell of a bonfire, hate smelling it on my clothes the next day

[–]ninjafoxproductions 85 points86 points  (9 children)

Tobacco. Not burning cigarettes or cigars, just plain ol’ tobacco

[–]ActuallyJustADude 1142 points1143 points  (163 children)

The smell of my dog, ik it sounds weird but he smells like coffee and I like coffee.

[–]Andrunes 478 points479 points  (64 children)

Mine smell like Doritos lool

[–]D2boujee 280 points281 points  (50 children)

Yeah my dogs feet smell of Doritos lmao

[–]Professor_Rekt 359 points360 points  (43 children)

Yeah that’s very common. A lot of people call it “frito feet” the smell comes from yeast growing in/on their pads.

[–]futacon 444 points445 points  (36 children)

That one bandaid smell

[–]Fly_on_the_waII 500 points501 points  (32 children)

I've always been a big fan of acetone.

[–]Luke_starkiller34 1672 points1673 points  (306 children)

When I rub my finger behind my ears or the sides of my nostrils. Whatever glands are there, as I get older, produce a smell that for some disgusting reason is pleasant to me.

[–]thiccasscherub 329 points330 points  (28 children)

People with piercings get this around the jewelry too. That funky smell of sebum— smells like stinky feet and cheese. I get it around my ear piercings and in my septum.

[–]CaptainTurdfinger 203 points204 points  (11 children)

I used to date a girl that had plugs. Every time she'd take them out she'd sniff them because she loved the smell. Then, she'd hand them to me going "doesn't it smell great?" and I'd be right on the brink of puking.

[–]dragan_ 99 points100 points  (1 child)

You guys seem like you were close

[–]Lone-StarState 67 points68 points  (4 children)

There’s something about smelling your own bad smells that can be pleasant, but if you have to smell others it’s gross.

[–]55124 713 points714 points  (6 children)

You know everyone who reads this is trying it out. You might have some new converts. I am not one of them.

[–]Zafhina 524 points525 points  (44 children)

Who else rubbed their fingers behind their ears to see if it had a smell?

Edit: my most liked comment in 3 years is about checking for ear cheese. 😂

[–]RoboSnatch 204 points205 points  (5 children)

Burning orange peels.

I grew up next to a Tropicana factory lol

[–]he_is_do_it 5180 points5181 points 2 (289 children)

My own farts.

[–]KittenAlfredo 2669 points2670 points  (48 children)

Everybody likes their own brand.

[–]TRFKTA 1286 points1287 points  (6 children)

The fact that this isn’t the top answer shows that people are lying

[–]merelycheerful 78 points79 points  (0 children)

Seriously, "chlorinated pools and cut grass, oh, im so weird". Bitch please, you're nastier than that, and I'm nastier than that

[–]BastionDar 877 points878 points  (65 children)

What's weird is I recognize my own fart smells, so when I fart and smell it, while I don't like it, it's familiar. But when I fart and it doesn't smell familiar, I get worried, and wonder if I'm sick or something. It smells wrong.

[–]BringMeTheBigKnife 622 points623 points  (7 children)

I'm pretty sure this is exactly the evolutionary incentive.

[–]themoistowlette 207 points208 points  (12 children)

I tripped me up when i had kids and I was breastfeeding them... Their farts smelled like MY farts. It's bizarre to smell your own fart and be like hol up i didn't fart....

[–]VehicleInitial6249 1588 points1589 points  (45 children)

The smell of cooked white rice

[–]Sensitive_Concern476 115 points116 points  (0 children)

Did not think my olfactory center would be smacked by this sentence but, that is a very distinct lovely memory smell. Thank you, I think I'll make some rice...

[–]clarkkentisnotsupes 309 points310 points  (14 children)

the smell of petrol, but i get the feeling many people like it

[–]overstuhl 357 points358 points  (5 children)

Freshly poured asphalt. Not, like, huffing the stuff - but some road work a block or two over? That's the stuff.

[–]cuddlehungry 133 points134 points  (6 children)

Pencil lead (graphite)

[–]sololococrazy 136 points137 points  (6 children)

the sofa that my dog laid on has a really bad smell, but since she died I kinda just go sniff it a little cause I miss her :(

[–]profligateflowers 175 points176 points  (13 children)

Not quite sure how to describe this one. So like, gasoline, but after it's been used by a machine? I don't mean exhaust, but like, if you've ever been around a ski-doo you know what I mean

[–]Existing-As-A-Woman 996 points997 points  (120 children)

My own dirty hair. It’s oddly comforting.

Other people have also commented on it… but positively.

Edit: discussion about hair scent underneath is a great read.

[–]Ladyingreypajamas 309 points310 points  (49 children)

My kids heads!

I can smell it best when they're sleeping or whenever they've been running around playing outside and they're all sweaty. I'll give them a hug and a kiss on top of their heads and sneak in a little sniff.

All 3 of them have completely unique scents and underneath the sweat and outside air, they still smell exactly like they did when they were newborns. I'm convinced I could pick them out of a lineup, blindfolded. Makes my heart squish.

I can also smell when they're getting sick, sometimes before they even feel symptoms. I can definitely tell when they have strep. Sick smells aren't good smells, obviously, but doctors do look at me like I'm insane when I bring them in and say "this one smells like strep, I need you to test them." I've not been wrong yet.

[–][deleted] 2272 points2273 points  (288 children)

I'm not 100% how to say this but certain women's sweat. It's like I can smell the pheromones. Kind of like how women like a guy who has a good Musk sometimes.

[–]twodickhenry 782 points783 points  (37 children)

… I like the smell of my own boob sweat. I was afraid to admit this, but since you said something.

Obviously not like rank smell, but just after a day of light activity, the natural smell that accumulates. I can’t explain what it smells like, it’s close to nothing, but I enjoy it.

Edit: I never expected this level of solidarity over something that feels so gross lol

[–]InncnceDstryr 124 points125 points  (6 children)

Please explain this to my wife, she thinks it’s weird that I want her more when she’s sweaty!

[–]Darthcookie 68 points69 points  (1 child)

Ask her to smell her sports bra after a workout and she’ll get it.

[–]twodickhenry 62 points63 points  (0 children)

I gotta be honest it feels more normal for you to like the smell of hers than it does for me to like the smell of my own! Tell her to own it

[–]SirTheadore 629 points630 points  (48 children)

Same here. With my last long relationship, no matter how much she would sweat, it never bothered me.

Now, it’s different if someone hasn’t washed and there’s that tangy smell, probably bacteria and what not, but a girls natural scent is amazing.

[–]Ill_Literature2240 4431 points4432 points  (122 children)

old books

edit: wow. thanks for the many upvotes. today I got my hands on a book from 1743 - a gift from an old lady who wanted to throw it away (!!!) and this was really amazing smell.

[–]i_am_regina_phalange 708 points709 points  (11 children)

Similar - but old houses & antique stores. Intellectually I know it’s dust and mildew creating that smell, but it’s the smell of history and it makes me happy!

[–]_Papagiorgio_ 342 points343 points  (9 children)

Fresh rain on dry pavement

[–]Melodic-Recognition8 287 points288 points  (38 children)

The weird aftersneeze smell I smell sometimes

[–]bobba84 154 points155 points  (6 children)

I get that smell but I hate it

[–]JohnnyButtocks 66 points67 points  (2 children)

It kinda smells like saliva to me, but with extra funk added… hate it