Summer sweat smells
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Following on from yesterday’s look at coping with the heat, I present a short report from Do House into failing to cope with the heat, in particular sweat and smells.
Demographics
Over the 14th and 15th of June 2013 1,047 members of the Moratame.net site completed a private internet-based questionnaire. The sample consisted of people of both sexes and aged between 20 and 59, but not further information than that.
I knew that spray is the most popular form of deodorant here, but I didn’t realise these sheets were so popular. I wonder where and when people use them, as I certainly don’t see people towelling themselves down on the train home! Although it is my favourite, stick deodorant is almost non-existant here – if any of my readers knows somewhere to get them, please leave a comment!
Research results
Q1: When do you get most concerned about the smell of your own sweat? (Sample size=1,047)
During or after sports 35.5% When meeting someone important 17.4% In a train 14.5% In a car 5.6% In a lift 4.2% During a meeting 3.3% When eating 2.1% In a bus 0.8% Other 16.5% Q2: Which of the following measures do you currently take against sweat? (Sample size=1,047, multiple answer)
Anti-perspirant spray 67.4% Sweat-wiping sheets 44.4% Roll-on deodorant 24.0% Deodorant water 10.8% Cream-type deodorant 6.7% Deodorant soap 4.1% Other 6.0% Q3: Which bad smell from others bothers you the most? (Sample size=1,047)
Sweat, other body odour 33.4% Bad breath 31.3% Tobacco smell 19.6% Too-strong perfume 10.5% Strong hairspray, pomade, etc 2.5% Medicated creams, other medical smells 0.2% Other 1.0% No smells I dislike 1.5%
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Are the towels mentioned the kind that people use to wipe the oil off of their faces, or is it a reference to something else? I know those are popular with women, although a lot of teenage boys seem to use them as well.
As far as deodorant goes- the strongest domestic deodorant I have found is called デオナチュレ 男ソフトストーンW. I get the “mint” one (as weird as that sounds) because it has a menthol effect. Of course it doesn’t compete with stronger deodorants that I’ve used in the US, but it’s the easiest one to get here in Japan. Other than that, I guess I’d try Amazon or something and just order a few bars of something tried and true.
Q2- I wonder why there was no “none” option. I think there are quite a few people who don’t do anything at all! Also, my wife got a “deodorant soap” sample in the mail which is supposed to have deodorant like qualities. I really didn’t notice a difference.
BTW, A nice trick that I discovered some years ago is using “muhi” to help cool myself down. It feels nice on my lower & upper back. Of course the cooling sensation is due to the menthol, which is one of its ingredients. It’s easier and more economical (and perhaps environmentally friendly?) than more disposable ways of cooling down. Of course it will also sooth mosquito and/or mite bites. The discovery happened because my back is no stranger to mosquito and mite bites (unfortunately!).
I wish there was better deodorant here. Part of me wants to believe that Japanese/Asians don’t sweat or have as much body odor as us Europeans, but some of the people I’ve sat next to at work beg to differ!
Over the years I’ve developed a hatred for the air-conditioned smell of cigarette smoke… it’s like using shit for frosting on a birthday cake.