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Humans are intricate creatures; we’re all made of roughly the same parts, yet among nearly 8 billion of us, you won’t find a person like yourself. Just think about it: we’re almost ready to jump for joy when we meet someone who shares our interests or has the same tolerance for spicy foods.
That said, have you ever wondered why we like what we like? Well, societal influences and genes play a vital role in determining our traits, actions, and preferences. For instance, some folks are fond of classical music, whereas others are at their happiest when they listen to the Top 40; some of us are great at math, while others have struggled with comprehending educational material for their entire lives. The list could go on and on – however, what’s interesting is that those preferences are not always mundane and banal, and sometimes we find ourselves liking the strangest things ever.
“What’s a weird smell you’re willing to admit you like?” – this netizen turned to one of Reddit’s most thought-provoking communities and asked its members to reveal what odd smells they secretly like. The thread has managed to receive nearly 34K upvotes, as well as 36.2K comments and intriguing answers.
More info: Reddit
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#1
old books
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.
#2
Matches after the flame goes out
Sans Serif 2 years ago (edited)
As the occasions where you still encounter matches being lit diminish, my personal feeling is that they reconnect to celebratory memories from the past: birthday candles, fireplaces, holiday candles, fireworks, etc.
#3
Hot parking lot when it first starts to rain
#4
Sawdust
Scout Finch 2 years ago
I like this but when the sawdust is originally being generated by a power tool.
#5
That clean laundry smell from external dryer vents.
#6
The inside binding of a new paperback book. It smells so clean.
#7
The smoke fireworks leave behind. One of my favorite smells.
Vix Spiderthrust 2 years ago
Cordite. Lovely smell. Used to get it from old-fashioned cap-guns.
#8
Not sure if it qualifies as weird, but the smell of Timothy Hay is very pleasant to me.
#9
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.
#11
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
#12
Water coming out of a garden hose. The combination of polyurethane and the metallic ozoneness of the water is heaven.
#13
The smell of cooked white rice
NoverPlover 2 years ago
Yesterday I was a at a friends house and we had rice for dinner… for like 5 minutes we stood over the rice maker just sniffing it 😂
Headless Roach 2 years ago (edited)
Good quality rice, right variety, properly cooked, smells like rice heaven
Marcellium 2 years ago
I had a really bad sense of smell when I was younger, from a deviated septum. I got it fixed a few years ago and suddenly the world smelled So Much More than before. This and popcorn I never knew had smells. I love them. Maybe it's because they're new to me, but it smells so, so good!
#14
The smell of my dog, ik it sounds weird but he smells like coffee and I like coffee.
Nikkie Nothing 2 years ago
Our dog always smells like the cedar bedding you put in a hamster cage. it's just her natural smell and I love it.
#15
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.
#17
Fired cap gun.....and that blue copy ink from grade school.
#19
Pvc pool toys when you're unfolding them before you blow them up
#20
The smell of the water in boat-based rides at theme parks
#21
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.
#22
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
Chucky Cheezburger 2 years ago (edited)
I dont think its so much pee your smelling...We use HTH quite a bit where I work and it smells just like a swimming pool, only stronger...and we sure ain't peeing in it. Edit to add: Apparently HTH is more of a brand name. The chemical is actually calcium hypochlorite, which is swimming pool chlorine. We use it to dissolve grease and biosolids in sewage wells.
#23
I remember liking the smell of Disney VHS cases
#24
White board markers. And single use lenses wipes. Honestly anything chemical smelling.
Metalhead Turtle 🇺🇦 2 years ago
Am I the only one who (alongside several of my peers) would sniff the markers every time we opened it?
#25
The smell of Home Depot
phoenix_rising 2 years ago
My dad took my sister and I here a lot when we were really young, and the smell of it hits the nostalgia just right
#26
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.
Sans Serif 2 years ago
Yes, but of course - candles in general, I say! You could easily add church smells to the list as well!
#27
WD-40
#28
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.
#29
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.
#30
Windex
What do you think ?
Madison Pheysey 2 years ago
How on earth did no one say paint! I love the smell of paint and nail polish!
Kate Jones 2 years ago
I was saying the same thing. Acetone is one of my favorite smells. I have to stop myself when I'm doing my nails to not stick my nose in the little remover bottle and just keep it there and destroy my brain cells, lol. But it's probably one of my fav smells in the world.
Load More Replies...
zak 2 years ago
I kinda like the smell of skunks. I probably wouldn't like it if I got sprayed by one, but if you just smell one on the breeze it's kinda nice 🤷🏼♂️
Danielle Ocasio Fast 2 years ago
I love the smell of skunks. I used to have those scratch & sniff stickers and I just about scratched through all the skunks. Now I just smoke skunky weed lolol
Load More Replies...
Marisol L. Banks 2 years ago
The smell of a newborn baby’s head. I call it the Elixir of Youth.
CrunChewy McSandybutt 2 years ago
I love the smell of a cave. The mineral smell, the cool air. So good. I also like the smell of carbon paper, which dates me a bit.
Den Ver 2 years ago (edited)
Thanks for mentioning carbon paper. This had been "erased" from my memory before you mentioned it.
Load More Replies...
Dirk Daring 2 years ago (edited)
When you turn the heat on in your house for the first time after the weather turns cold.
Den Ver 2 years ago (edited)
Anybody remember the smell of paper straight from the ditto machine (mimeograph / spirit duplicator) ?
DuchessDegu 2 years ago
That was the drug of choice of many school children 😆
Load More Replies...
leah 2 years ago
It reminds me of my grandma. It's a good scent. Pleasant.
Load More Replies... Marcellium 2 years ago
The smell of sulfur! My family visited Yellowstone a lot when I was young and I've always enjoyed the smell around the geysers.
Brazen 2 years ago
Most of these either set off my allergies or my asthma, sometimes both. I feel oddly left out.
Huddo's sister 2 years ago
One of the ones that triggers my allergies is the pine smell as I go past the place they turn them into mulch/tan bark.
Load More Replies...
NoverPlover 2 years ago
I love the smell of horses. Idk if it’s the hay or just the horses in general, but they just smell so so good! 🐴
Cathy Jo Baker 2 years ago
The smell of neoprene... good scuba diving memories! (wetsuits are made from neoprene). Walking into a scuba shop is definitely an aromatic experience!
Remen Zack 2 years ago
The smell of cigarettes is divine to me, always loved it ever since I was a child.
Philenzortia 2 years ago
I love those first seconds when someone turns on a cigarette. For some reason that smells soooo good.
Lauren Caswell 2 years ago
For me it's foam rubber. It's what mum's big wooden craft trunk smelled of, and it was always going to be a great day if we got to open it 😀
Tee Peterson 2 years ago
The smell of a mechanics garage. As a kid I loved hanging out the garage with my dad and stepdad when they worked on cars. Man! I miss those days!
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife 2 years ago
I love the salty tang of ocean water. It always reminds me of summer and playing on the beach as a kid.
GirlFriday 2 years ago
The smell of the remote control after it has been used. It gives off this weird, but comforting smell. I don't know what it is, but I love it. I have taken more than one weird look for sniffing the remote after channel surfing.
Mark Karol-Chik 2 years ago
As a Denver, Co native, the smell of really good green chili is always a welcome one.
Blue Faerie 2 years ago
I like the smell of glossy new magazines and catalogs. Sometimes I sniff the junk mail at work. The ink they use on those is just so pleasing.
Bookmaiden 2 years ago
I love the smell of moth balls. Probably reminds me of my grandma's house.
Timothy Rozema 2 years ago
I used to live by some fairgrounds so I don't mind the smell of manure.
glowworm2 2 years ago
I actually like the smell of skunk. It really doesn’t bother me that much.
kraftmacaroniandbeez 2 years ago
in my area people burn hickory wood in fireplaces and in cold crisp winter nights it's just heavenly 🙃
Dog Mom 2 years ago
I'm with you. Not just hickory tho. I can't believe no one else said it. I love the smell of a wood fire on a cold day.
Load More Replies...
Shelley DuVal 1 year ago
I love the smell of Christmas crackers after they have cracked. I shove my nose right inside the opened cracker and inhale heartily.
MissMePhoenix 2 years ago
Was puppy breath in the original post?? Cuz i love puppy breath and i don't recall seeing it...
Jennifer Hawkins 2 years ago
Duct tape, Halloween costumes, new school clothes, NEW CAR SMELL, Christmas wrapping paper, Christmas morning, Christmas tree, wet leaves after the rain... new snow
DeoManus Argentem 2 years ago
Gasoline, bleach, and ozone! Separately, not (necessarily) combined (idk, maybe?)
Unnamed Hooman 2 years ago
I love the smell of my best friend. Everyone has their own smell that they normally can’t identify on themselves.
Robin Smith 2 years ago
The smell of boxwood bushes in the sun. They remind me of my grandparents' house in Maryland, when we used to visit them in August.
Katie Lutesinger 2 years ago
Wet cement! Also freshly cut watermelon. (God I could SO go for a nice slice of watermelon right now).
Madison Pheysey 2 years ago
How on earth did no one say paint! I love the smell of paint and nail polish!
Kate Jones 2 years ago
I was saying the same thing. Acetone is one of my favorite smells. I have to stop myself when I'm doing my nails to not stick my nose in the little remover bottle and just keep it there and destroy my brain cells, lol. But it's probably one of my fav smells in the world.
Load More Replies... zak 2 years ago
I kinda like the smell of skunks. I probably wouldn't like it if I got sprayed by one, but if you just smell one on the breeze it's kinda nice 🤷🏼♂️
Danielle Ocasio Fast 2 years ago
I love the smell of skunks. I used to have those scratch & sniff stickers and I just about scratched through all the skunks. Now I just smoke skunky weed lolol
Load More Replies... Marisol L. Banks 2 years ago
The smell of a newborn baby’s head. I call it the Elixir of Youth.
CrunChewy McSandybutt 2 years ago
I love the smell of a cave. The mineral smell, the cool air. So good. I also like the smell of carbon paper, which dates me a bit.
Den Ver 2 years ago (edited)
Thanks for mentioning carbon paper. This had been "erased" from my memory before you mentioned it.
Load More Replies... Dirk Daring 2 years ago (edited)
When you turn the heat on in your house for the first time after the weather turns cold.
Den Ver 2 years ago (edited)
Anybody remember the smell of paper straight from the ditto machine (mimeograph / spirit duplicator) ?
DuchessDegu 2 years ago
That was the drug of choice of many school children 😆
Load More Replies... leah 2 years ago
It reminds me of my grandma. It's a good scent. Pleasant.
Load More Replies... Marcellium 2 years ago
The smell of sulfur! My family visited Yellowstone a lot when I was young and I've always enjoyed the smell around the geysers.
Brazen 2 years ago
Most of these either set off my allergies or my asthma, sometimes both. I feel oddly left out.
Huddo's sister 2 years ago
One of the ones that triggers my allergies is the pine smell as I go past the place they turn them into mulch/tan bark.
Load More Replies... NoverPlover 2 years ago
I love the smell of horses. Idk if it’s the hay or just the horses in general, but they just smell so so good! 🐴
Cathy Jo Baker 2 years ago
The smell of neoprene... good scuba diving memories! (wetsuits are made from neoprene). Walking into a scuba shop is definitely an aromatic experience!
Remen Zack 2 years ago
The smell of cigarettes is divine to me, always loved it ever since I was a child.
Philenzortia 2 years ago
I love those first seconds when someone turns on a cigarette. For some reason that smells soooo good.
Lauren Caswell 2 years ago
For me it's foam rubber. It's what mum's big wooden craft trunk smelled of, and it was always going to be a great day if we got to open it 😀
Tee Peterson 2 years ago
The smell of a mechanics garage. As a kid I loved hanging out the garage with my dad and stepdad when they worked on cars. Man! I miss those days!
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife 2 years ago
I love the salty tang of ocean water. It always reminds me of summer and playing on the beach as a kid.
GirlFriday 2 years ago
The smell of the remote control after it has been used. It gives off this weird, but comforting smell. I don't know what it is, but I love it. I have taken more than one weird look for sniffing the remote after channel surfing.
Mark Karol-Chik 2 years ago
As a Denver, Co native, the smell of really good green chili is always a welcome one.
Blue Faerie 2 years ago
I like the smell of glossy new magazines and catalogs. Sometimes I sniff the junk mail at work. The ink they use on those is just so pleasing.
Bookmaiden 2 years ago
I love the smell of moth balls. Probably reminds me of my grandma's house.
Timothy Rozema 2 years ago
I used to live by some fairgrounds so I don't mind the smell of manure.
glowworm2 2 years ago
I actually like the smell of skunk. It really doesn’t bother me that much.
kraftmacaroniandbeez 2 years ago
in my area people burn hickory wood in fireplaces and in cold crisp winter nights it's just heavenly 🙃
Dog Mom 2 years ago
I'm with you. Not just hickory tho. I can't believe no one else said it. I love the smell of a wood fire on a cold day.
Load More Replies... Shelley DuVal 1 year ago
I love the smell of Christmas crackers after they have cracked. I shove my nose right inside the opened cracker and inhale heartily.
MissMePhoenix 2 years ago
Was puppy breath in the original post?? Cuz i love puppy breath and i don't recall seeing it...
Jennifer Hawkins 2 years ago
Duct tape, Halloween costumes, new school clothes, NEW CAR SMELL, Christmas wrapping paper, Christmas morning, Christmas tree, wet leaves after the rain... new snow
DeoManus Argentem 2 years ago
Gasoline, bleach, and ozone! Separately, not (necessarily) combined (idk, maybe?)
Unnamed Hooman 2 years ago
I love the smell of my best friend. Everyone has their own smell that they normally can’t identify on themselves.
Robin Smith 2 years ago
The smell of boxwood bushes in the sun. They remind me of my grandparents' house in Maryland, when we used to visit them in August.
Katie Lutesinger 2 years ago
Wet cement! Also freshly cut watermelon. (God I could SO go for a nice slice of watermelon right now).
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