Unpleasant odor

Air pollution is sometimes the cause of unpleasant odor

An unpleasant odor is an odor that is viewed as repulsive to one or more persons. Such an odor may or may not be attractive to others. Different types of odors may be viewed as pleasant or unpleasant to different people.

Terms used to describe unpleasant odors include malodorous, stench, reek, and stink.

Unpleasant odors play various roles in nature, often to warn of danger, though this may not be known to the subject who smells it^[1].

Views

An odor that is viewed as unpleasant by some people or cultures can be viewed as attractive by others where there is more familiarity or a better reputation^[2].

It is commonly viewed that those holding an unpleasant odor on their body will be unattractive to others. But studies have shown that a person who is exposed to a particular unpleasant odor can be attracted to others who have been exposed to the same unpleasant odor^[3]. This includes smells associated with pollution^[4].

Causes of unpleasant odor

What actually causes a substance to smell unpleasant may be different from what one perceives. For example, perspiration is often viewed as having an unpleasant odor, but it is actually odorless. It is the bacteria in the perspiration that causes the odor^[5].

Effects on relationships

An unpleasant odor may negatively affect a relationship between two people, especially when one person is trying to impress the other for the first time. Odors may make or break such a relationship in a situation in which, for example, one is dating or interviewing for a job. While one's appearance may be perfect in every way, odor may be the very factor that results in a bad impression.

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