Attitudes towards body odors in various cultures (aka is deodorant permissible)

[ExGingi]

We all might know individuals who lack awareness to the unpleasantness of body odors. But it seems like in certain cultures it's the norm rather than the exception.

I don't have any personal experience, and it might have changed, but in the past I've heard that in Russia (and Ukraine et al) it is the norm to shower once a week (not sure about use of deodorants).

Recent travels through IST airport exposed me to extremely unpleasant odors coming from the personnel doing the extra security check and pat down at the gate on flights to the US or TLV. The most recent experience was so bad that the entire gate area was intolerable.

I have also heard from friends who have been to Delhi, that theres a constant stench there.

What's up with these people? Do they have some kind of desensitized sense of smell? Is it at all acceptable coming from people in an official position in an international airport, which IINM is one of the top 10 for the number of passengers going through?

[yitzgar]

I flew jet airways and the smell was so bad the flight attendants would spray air freshener up and down the aisles every so often. Some areas of the plane were unbearable. It might have to do with certain foods that are eaten in particular cultures that cause certain body odors. I would imagine that it only bothers people who aren't from that culture.

[shaulyaakov]

Many chasidim have similar odors.

[yitzgar]

Many chasidim have similar odors.

That's not the type of smell I was talking about. Not sure about exgingi

[tzifanya54]

Lots of gems in JS recently. I gotta start hanging out here more often...

[ExGingi]

I flew jet airways and the smell was so bad the flight attendants would spray air freshener up and down the aisles every so often. Some areas of the plane were unbearable. It might have to do with certain foods that are eaten in particular cultures that cause certain body odors. I would imagine that it only bothers people who aren't from that culture.

Fenugreek (known as חילבה) is extremely healthy, and many people like it, but it is known to bring about enduring body odors.

But what I was referring to in the OP about my IST experience was just the odor that comes from sweat.

[sky121]

I don't think showering once a week is as big a problem as not wearing deodorant and changing your clothes often enough.

[hvaces42]

There is a chasid who comes into shul every friday night right before maariv. He is put together and showered/mikva. However his topcoat/rekel/bekishe has never been washed or dry cleaned so it retains sweat. My tenant, both husband and wife, are of the same chasidus and they smell too. Same reason. Its plain and simple noseblindness at this point.

[Iz]

Recent travels through IST airport exposed me to extremely unpleasant odors coming from the personnel doing the extra security check and pat down at the gate on flights to the US or TLV. The most recent experience was so bad that the entire gate area was intolerable.

What's up with these people?

Don't they know that there are free showers right there?

[churnbabychurn]

In many chasidusim men are absolutely not permitted to use soap at all. Definitely not deodorant.

I once read the rules for gur bochurim... Fascinating.

Are there any unofficial restrictions for lubavitch?

[aygart]

In many chasidusim men are absolutely not permitted to use soap at all. Definitely not deodorant.

I once read the rules for gur bochurim... Fascinating.

Are there any unofficial restrictions for lubavitch?

Even unscented?

[Dan]

In many chasidusim men are absolutely not permitted to use soap at all. Definitely not deodorant.

I once read the rules for gur bochurim... Fascinating.

Are there any unofficial restrictions for lubavitch?

Wait, what?

[davidrotts63]

In many chasidusim men are absolutely not permitted to use soap at all. Definitely not deodorant.

I once read the rules for gur bochurim... Fascinating.

Are there any unofficial restrictions for lubavitch?

Even unscented?

Wait, what?

Deodorant I've heard of, but deodorant is some next level בל תישקצו

[yelped]

In many chasidusim men are absolutely not permitted to use soap at all. Definitely not deodorant.

I once read the rules for gur bochurim... Fascinating.

Are there any unofficial restrictions for lubavitch?

Source? I am familiar with many Chassidusin. I do know that (strongly) scented deodorant (for men) is frowned upon, but growing up I have only heard words of reinforcement for nekiyus etc.

[TimT]

In many chasidusim men are absolutely not permitted to use soap at all.

Please research this. Every mikva I’ve been too has soap & signs that you must shower first.

[ChaimMoskowitz]

Wait, what?

Thats my line.

[whYME]

Are there any unofficial restrictions for lubavitch?

Well there is something to not showering after the mikvah, but as far as a blanket ban on soap? that's just ridiculous.
(At least for Americans, I think there is actually a ban for the French and Israelis )

[sky121]

My BIL works in a Chassidish Yeshiva in Israel- and along with confiscating Mp3s and laptops... deodorant is on the list as well.
 

[TimT]

My BIL works in a Chassidish Yeshiva in Israel- and along with confiscating Mp3s and laptops... deodorant is on the list as well.
 

Probably afraid they’ll fill it with booze.

[churnbabychurn]

Please research this. Every mikva I’ve been too has soap & signs that you must shower first.

Very possible the instructions I read were only for bochurim.