You Smell Delicious...

People in Holland are very tolerant.

You can smoke weed freely (although many DO NOT)

You can pay for sexual pleasure 

You can cut across the road on your bike, or on foot... not even a honk

You can get a beer when you are 16 years old

You probably could run around naked and the Dutch would, well... tolerate it.

Today, as I was minding my own business, I caught a whiff.  I happen to be walking by a group of pubescent guys.  "Victoria, they are just sweaty kids. Puberty." Perhaps you are thinking.

NO.

These kids (gah, I say kids like I'm getting old), young MEN,  were dressed nicely... we will call it business attire.  Yet, as I walked by, it was not there fancy hair-do's or nice dress that made my head twitch.  It was (gasp!) BODY ODOR. 

Body odor, people.  The smell of their sweat, and it was STANKY. Plain as day, smacking me square between the eyes.  Can they not smell it?  Why is it so strong?!  Why is it invading my noise at such a rapid rate from such a far distance?  Do they know they are smelling up my personal space? Do they not take preventative measures after their showers and put some kind of anti-perspirant or colonge on?  Thank the good lord above there was no fan on the other side of the room.  I would have gagged... well, gagged louder.

This was not my first encounter with this un-polite stench. 

A few weeks ago I was minding my own business at a gym I have temporarily joined.  I was on the eliptical and reading my magazine, when suddenly... I was uncomfortable. There was a smell in my nose I could not snort out (imagine me trying this while being winded from an intense cardio session I was trying to achieve). Still snorting, and not know from what direction. A guy, who had been eerily googiling practically everyone in this small one-room gym, decided to plop down on the machine beside me. And, of all machinces, it had to be a rowing machine. I am sure you can imagine the scene. While rowing, this stench-immune Dutchman is pumping this gag-inducing smell straight into my nose. 

I had to cut my cadio sesh a little short. But as I continued to lift around the gym, that guy want to get some lifting in, too! I was almost a non-tolerant visitor to the gym, well, country. Should someone tell him? He's not even sweating, anyway. How can it smell so bad? How can so many Dutch people be tolerant of THIS of all things?

I have smelled it while shopping.

I have smelled it while in a bar.

I have smelled it (hate to say it) while eating.

I think it's time the Dutch not take a back seat to this. 

Pass out deodorant like condoms to horny high-schoolers. SOMETHING!! 

At least do a pitcheck, America (and Holland, EVERYONE), before you leave your house and go into the world.  Don't make people gag when you get draft-distance from their noses.  Your own nose may adjust to the stench, but not the people around you.  Keep preventative measures close by.  If you sweat and fear you forgot to take preventative measures... go home.  Or atleast to your nearest store... lots of places will sell you D.O. for your B.O.

Checking out the world, and letting you know, people.