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Is spraying in shared spaces a cardinal sin?
I love perfume. Personal fragrance, scent, whatever you want to call it; giving myself a spritz of luxurious notes is what keeps my heart beating. No more so than during winter when, let’s face it, there’s little else to brighten up a drab day.
To be honest, I thought everyone was with me on this one. I know personal preference varies greatly when it comes to fragrance – hence the vast expanse of the industry – but I was sure everyone liked perfume and found others’ aptitude for wearing it a show of common courtesy.
As with many other topics of debate, however, TikTok has humbled me. A recent viral video says ‘There should be a law against wearing perfume in economy.’ I’d never considered that spritzing myself with a pleasant perfume on board a flight could offend my fellow passengers. Boy was I naive. At the time of writing, the TikTok in question has amassed thousands of comments and views from those who share its anti-scent stance.
I think we can all agree that personal hygiene is a basic act of public service – but if fragrance isn’t included in this category (much to my bemusement), then where does Gen Z stand on the topic of shared-space scents? As it turns out, the answer is complicated.
Laura Pitcher recently tapped this debate for a Dazed Beauty piece, in which she laments the online shaming she’s received – if by proxy – for perfuming in public. ‘There’s a whole world online around what people call ‘fragrance etiquette’,’ Pitcher writes, and it’s a world fraught with rules.
The most important of these do’s and don’ts is the volume at which you spray. According to etiquette instructor Katarina Bradacova, ‘perfume should complement you, not dominate the space – it should linger gently rather than leave a strong trail.’
@strollinginthesuburbs But in all seriousness… it’s a no. #traveling #airplanetiktok #traveltiktok ♬ STUCK IN A DAZE – SHIIIKARNO
Come to think of it, this makes complete sense. I might be in love with my perfume, but I can’t expect others to share that opinion. And the thought of someone wafting me with a fragrance I can’t stand, especially in an enclosed space, is enough to make my head ache.
I fear I’ve been unintentionally selfish with my fragrance routine in the past. If I love a scent I’ll be sure to lay it on thick – why not? I’d think. I’ve spent enough money on it. Those poor unfortunate souls next to me on the tube who don’t share my affinity for bergamot and vetiver.
There’s also a science behind all of this. Bradacova points out that certain perfumes can cause headaches and even allergic reactions for some people, so wearing them heavily in shared spaces like a plane isn’t exactly best practice.
