Random thoughts on Japan

[Rube]

If freebreeze is supposed to get rid of smells, how can it be scented?

[lorgnette]

Originally Posted by Rube

If freebreeze is supposed to get rid of smells, how can it be scented?

Freebreeze supposedly remove odours but actually the chemical scent is much stronger and mask the odours it supposedly removed. you are smelling the chemicals not fresh air.

In some parts of Asia, these scents are removed from taxi cabs/homes and shelves as it is toxic to human health (esp babies or those with low immune systems). In other countries, there are lax regulations.

To remove some odours, effective methods: sprinkle baking powder or use ioniser/ air purifier. On plastic glass containers/bottles rinse/soak with diluted lime juice/ rice vinegar and all previous scents disappear.

[Rube]

See I thought something didn't add up. I thought it was derived from corn and natural and broke down smells something along the line of ozone.

[larabell]

It does break down smells -- but I can't quote the exact mechanism. The brand name in English is "Febreeze" and the original version actually *was* unscented. But, sales-wise, it was a disastrous flop. A subsequent marketing survey revealed that the folks whose homes most needed such a product were actually accustomed to their smelly homes and, without the scent, there was no particular reason to spend money on something that, from their point-of-view, made no difference. Instead the people who actually did use the product (or, at least, one woman they studied) used it as a sort-of "celebration" of a cleaning job well done. As a result of the research, the company jacked up the perfume content, reworked the marketing campaign, and the rest is history.

A summary of the story is on the Wikipedia page for Febreeze (it helps to use the English spelling) but I recall seeing a much more detailed version of the story in a book I read not too long ago (the book concentrated more on the marketing research breakthrough than on the actual product). I don't recall which book but if anyone is really all that interested, I can probably mount a more intensive search. For now, the Wikipedia page pretty much summarizes what I recall reading.

It is a bit ironic, though, that a product to cover up one smell with another is more likely to be a commercial success than one that attempts to fix the underlying problem.

[Rube]

LIke those pine sprays for the toilets, ends up smelling like somebody took a dump on a christmas tree.

[larabell]

Originally Posted by Rube

... ends up smelling like somebody took a dump on a christmas tree.

ROTFL... almost literally. Which could have been a problem, given that I was sitting on the can when I read that.

My wife swears by those sprays and is always (understandably) reminding me to spray afterwards. I'm going to use that line on her someday...

[Rube]

My wife is in love with "American Smell" which I hate, the scents you find in American detergents and such. I usually have to end up throwing out whatever it is that she buys because the smells are just too strong for me. Recently she bought this horrible thing, looks like a bunch of sticks in a jar of oily scent. Lasted like 30 minutes, but at least this time she agreed it was putrid.

Remember the department stores in the states? The Sears near us had their perfume section at the entrance. That's terrorism right there. Need a car radio and you have to run the gauntlet.

wait a sec, that was like totally a premonitory brain fart. Right saying wrong thread and wrong time. Tin foil hat time.

[larabell]

Originally Posted by Rube

The Sears near us had their perfume section at the entrance. That's terrorism right there.

I recall wondering how anyone could tell exactly what any one perfume smelled like among such a cacophony of scents. Of course... maybe that was the whole point .

How about people (I'd say "women" but I'm not sure it doesn't work both ways) who use the same perfume (cologne) for so many years that they grow accustomed to the smell and find they need larger and larger quantities to notice any difference. If you ever attended Catholic Mass in the States, you're probably headed out the door for some fresh air right now.

[rhornal]

Anyone know of a good irish pub in Osaka? I've got some teammates heading to Japan in july, and they'll be looking for a good expat watering hole.

[Rube]

Privacy; I forgot how much I missed it. So nice to be able to walk around the home naked and sun bath on the balcony without prying eyes, 'cept for all the fighter jets and helicopters going over us and like I told the wife, everybody needs a little treat once in a while.