Weird Offenses.

[Kudos]

This is pretty out there as far as this topic goes, but I hate it when people put off a certain funk. <snip> I really dig the way things smell either that is one of my furry things or just an odditiy. If it is a furry thing, then smelling bad is my number one offense.

In my experience, strong/bad body odor and/or lack of hygiene isn't 'just' a furry thing. 
It's safe to say that this is a problem that is infamous in any science fiction & fantasy related fandom, especially noticeable at cons.

speaking it like a true GF. It's even more true for comic con people lol.

Fix'd. 

And no, shaved-bald furries are fine.  Just look at 2!

Thats good to know for future reference. lol not that i'm going back to that anytime soon lol.

[Kos]

Hopefully this falls under the topic at hand, I was talking with a fellow fur some time ago and sooner or later art tends to crop up in the conversation.  Favorite styles, artist, subject matter, the usual friendly babble that comes with going over something both conversationalists enjoy.  The "weird offense" I am getting to is that my friend was actually insulted when I did not know the name of one of his preffered artists.  Honestly peeved at me enough to derail the conversation and change the entire mood of the evening.

Have any other furs been in my shoes on this issue, or could someone that sees my friends point of view try to explain it to me a bit?  For reasons beyond my current understanding it has become a bit of a taboo between myself and my assosiate so while I would prefer to hear it from the horse's mouth (though equine he is not) I would still like some perspective.

[Duffman!]

To my best knowledge, i'd say he is just frustrated that your great freindship, is marred by you not understanding one of the things he likes. Me and Baako are good friends, but i dont realy like the Kingdom Hearts games, and he loves them. I think they're fun to watch (sooo flasheh ) but i could never get into them, coz i love FPS games. So we do as you two do, we skirt around it. If he feels like playing KH2, i go on the computer, onto a forum, and we chat about completly unrealted subjects (except for the occaisional time he wants to show me an awesum move, or i want to show him a funny post). I dont get KH, so i leave the subject alone.
He also loves painting Warhammer models, whilst i loathe it, i prefer to play the games, which he loathes, so we talk about something else. We generally just find a medium (eg, the WH 40k lore, or battle tactics) and talk about that. Try altering the subject slightly, it might work. Hope i helped

[Kudos]

Hopefully this falls under the topic at hand, I was talking with a fellow fur some time ago and sooner or later art tends to crop up in the conversation.  Favorite styles, artist, subject matter, the usual friendly babble that comes with going over something both conversationalists enjoy.  The "weird offense" I am getting to is that my friend was actually insulted when I did not know the name of one of his preffered artists.  Honestly peeved at me enough to derail the conversation and change the entire mood of the evening.

Have any other furs been in my shoes on this issue, or could someone that sees my friends point of view try to explain it to me a bit?  For reasons beyond my current understanding it has become a bit of a taboo between myself and my assosiate so while I would prefer to hear it from the horse's mouth (though equine he is not) I would still like some perspective.

i'm going to side with duffman. although the only artest i know off top of my head is blotch. So i'm pretty convince i'd tick yer friend off far more than you.  I'd say it's all him  it's not like you dised him. You just didn't know the artest name.

[Dark]

I tend to feel like there is a definate group of furries that take their sense of smell very seriously, I being one myself, so I can see how that would apply here, Shakuhachi. 

I know I for one sniff just about everything, though I try to be subtle about it to when I can.  It's a shame that people can so easily become used to their own scent so there really are times when someone doesn't know just how bad they stink.  There just isn't any decently polite way to say, "I can smell you from twenty paces, want a bar of irish spring?  I have extra."


 


I have a problem with nasty smells as well. If I breath in and smell anything offensive I have to spit and can't swallow. As well I almost refuse to breath. lol It is even worse when indoors adn i can't go outside cuz i'm working or something cuz then tht is all I can think about.

[Rick Woods]

I don't think the smell thing is weird at all.  Maybe some furs have developed heightened senses of smell (since they use it so often ) but really, offensive smells can be hell for furs and mundanes alike.

I judge Magic tournaments.  While I myself have never had to do this, I've heard a few horror stories of people being thrown out of tournament halls for Unsporting Conduct -- Severe (which results in a DQ w/o prize) because of their body odor.

[Kudos]

I don't think the smell thing is weird at all.  Maybe some furs have developed heightened senses of smell (since they use it so often ) but really, offensive smells can be hell for furs and mundanes alike.

I judge Magic tournaments.  While I myself have never had to do this, I've heard a few horror stories of people being thrown out of tournament halls for Unsporting Conduct -- Severe (which results in a DQ w/o prize) because of their body odor.

Damn you guys go hard with that rule.  Well i totally agree with it, just how exactly do people let it get that bad. i mean i understand slight BO (being it's from yer armpits) cause u could easliy for get to put some on, or it could wear off. That doesn't mean yer dirty. Which is why I keep one of those small axe sprays with me if possible. But all out full body odor makes me  . just have no idea how they let it get that bad 

[Kos]

The human nose has a terrible habit of ignoring anything it comes across on a regular basis.  a chef does not judge his work by smell, because he is around it too much to tell the subtle differences.  People generally have no idea what their homes smell like as far as background scent not because they don't care, but because if you live in a scent everyday it gets blocked out.  It's called "nasal fatigue."  Now imagine a fan boy that has skipped more showers that some people can count without a calculator and it is easy enough to imagine that they have just gotten so accustomed to their own stink they just don't smell it anymore.

That's why I take care not to use the same shampoo and soap for to long.  I want to be able to tell when hard work makes it's way through my last shower.

[Kudos]

The human nose has a terrible habit of ignoring anything it comes across on a regular basis.  a chef does not judge his work by smell, because he is around it too much to tell the subtle differences.  People generally have no idea what their homes smell like as far as background scent not because they don't care, but because if you live in a scent everyday it gets blocked out.  It's called "nasal fatigue."  Now imagine a fan boy that has skipped more showers that some people can count without a calculator and it is easy enough to imagine that they have just gotten so accustomed to their own stink they just don't smell it anymore.

That's why I take care not to use the same shampoo and soap for to long.  I want to be able to tell when hard work makes it's way through my last shower.

That is a good point and one I already do achknowledge. But seriously a 5-10 shower ever day wouldn't hurt, and u did state that they become use to it. what about before that, idk about You but when i get done with a good lift or a long (5-7mile) jog i know that i smell funcky lol. course that is a drastic change in my body scent, idk i'm so clueless as to how u just let it happen.

[Kobuk]

My friend Wolfnevets made this sign to take to cons long ago. These pics are from Further Confusion 2007. Wherever he's carrying the sign at a con, I've heard that people cheer and applaud.

[pocomouse]

^  Hooray!

Actually, the one con I've been fortunate enough to attend didn't seem to have this problem.  Maybe because it was so small. 

Good thing too, I have a pretty sensitive nose and have trouble concealing my disgust at rancid people. It gets me in trouble at work sometimes.  (picture me wrinkling my nose and backing away from a customer  )

[Kudos]

OMG that's amazing (i so badly wanted to use a swear word there lol).
That is just pure genius, and how convieniet as well. BTW further confusion, good con to go to?

[Theory5]

In my experience, strong/bad body odor and/or lack of hygiene isn't 'just' a furry thing. 
It's safe to say that this is a problem that is infamous in any science fiction & fantasy related fandom, especially noticeable at cons.

Yea, really. Its like they have never heard of personal hygiene or something. That reminds me of  one of the many funny "least I could do" comics ( the storyline is geek con 08 by the way) http://leasticoulddo.com/comic/20080517
Anyways back onto topic. That seemed like you went a little overboard there.  It sounds like she was just having fun. I mean I dont like it if I know people are being cruel or even if i think they are being cruel. With some people you just can't tell. But still, go easy on people who do that unless they are really trying to be mean.

[Nicholai]

About a week ago, I was talking to someone about my tastes as a fur, when one kid I knew (actually a nice guy.) piped up and said; "don't those people have sex dressed as animals?"
 I yelled at him with enough volume to make everyone in the room stare at me like I lit off a bottle rocket. 

[Traumerei]

About a week ago, I was talking to someone about my tastes as a fur, when one kid I knew (actually a nice guy.) piped up and said; "don't those people have sex dressed as animals?"
 I yelled at him with enough volume to make everyone in the room stare at me like I lit off a bottle rocket. 

I've been asked things like this before, too. It's terrible how one group of people can be so stereotyped... ;_;

[Anthro_Inquisitor]

I remember reading about the scent thing; well not remember, I actually have it bookmarked. (Its like 4 pages long so I don't want to copy paste it xD)

But anyways, the scent thing is actually human nature. Here's a quote from an article

A segment of our DNA called the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) codes some diseases-detecting structures, which function as the immune system's eyes. When a disease is recognized, the immune system's teeth—the killer T cells—are alerted, and they swarm the intruders, smothering them with destructive enzymes. Unlike many genes, which have one or two alternative versions (like the genes that code for attached or unattached ear lobes), MHC genes have dozens of alternatives. And unlike earlobe genes, in which the version inherited from one parent dominates so that the version inherited from the other parent is not expressed, MHC genes are "co-dominant." This means that if a person inherits a version of an MHC gene for resistance to Disease A from its mother and a version lending resistance to Disease B from its father, that person will be able to resist both diseases.

Apparently a test was done, and people can in fact 'smell' differences in the MHC genes. If someone is vastly different than your own the smell is more attractive, and if its more similar it is less attractive.


Now normally I'd say this wasn't realistic, but its the second time i've seen this information (I just found it again, thus why i'm posting it) But its pretty interesting.



Anyways back onto to original topic, I have this weird habit of clawing things (not like a 'swipe' claw, more like a grab and puncture shoulder with nails claw)
Most people don't let me give them a pat on the back in case I latch on >.>

[sniffswind]

Scent people: your noses are built the exact opposite of mine.  I'm hypersensitive to perfume, cologne, deodorant, scented soaps, etc; and for some reason, anything that's fried.  I can't even wear scents, myself.  they turn rancid due to my metabolisim.

rack up another oncoming chromedome...*grins* mine's going SLOW, though.

I try and keep my furry side, among others, totally private. especially in a heavy right-wing area like I grew up in.  it's also how I was raised (AND had to learn the hard way), you have a public face and a private face.

[Equida]

Apparently a test was done, and people can in fact 'smell' differences in the MHC genes. If someone is vastly different than your own the smell is more attractive, and if its more similar it is less attractive.

I can vouch for this. As a zoology student it has been discussed in many of my classes. Actually ironically it was brought up in a class last week. They have actually done tests where they gave females t-shirts and asked them to decide which they liked best by smell. The ones that were most favourite were t-shirts worn by males with different MHC genes than the female. Females were also able to identify the t-shirt that belonged to their SO by scent alone. The human nose is actually a pretty strong, interesting organ. It's just that humans don't actually rely on it to survive so they don't really think about it unless confronted with something they think smells particularly bad. It seems to me only then do people most often notice what it is they are smelling. I think everything is on a more subconscious level.

As for furry related offenses, I don't like when people invade my space and then stay in it. I like hugs, in fact I'm not sure I could avoid them in this fandom lol, but I don't like when people don't remove themselves from my space after said hug. Horses are very particular about the space around them, it's a dominant move for one horse to move into another horse's space and stay there. Now that's not to say that's why I don't like people invading my space. I'm sure there are a lot of non-furry/therian/whatever people out there who don't like having their space invaded. This is just something I noticed and made an equine connection with.

[Kay Alett]

HUMANS STINK!

It's true, I work in a retail type job selling used DVDs and games, I deal with many many people in my job and they smell horrible! The worst ones are those who come in after a long day, they're sweaty, they havn't showered, and they reek. It's not so bad now that winter is here and folks don't work up a sweat so easily but ven still.....

On my way home from work I often smell skunk on the side of the road, I feel bad for them but I always smell the scent in the air and I belive the smell of a skunk is a lot better than the smell of a sweaty human.

[Anthro_Inquisitor]

HUMANS STINK!

It's true, I work in a retail type job selling used DVDs and games, I deal with many many people in my job and they smell horrible! The worst ones are those who come in after a long day, they're sweaty, they havn't showered, and they reek. It's not so bad now that winter is here and folks don't work up a sweat so easily but ven still.....

On my way home from work I often smell skunk on the side of the road, I feel bad for them but I always smell the scent in the air and I belive the smell of a skunk is a lot better than the smell of a sweaty human.

I agree with you there, well but not on the skunk part. Skunks don't smell 'that' bad, however its so strong of a smell it overpowers just about anything else and makes me very sick (I really can't stand skunks for that reason).

[AzureVixen]

The only place where people make me mad and very sad is in my drawings. Only a few people like them, most say they are weird and are pointless. When they said pointless I was like just heartbroken. But I guess some people just can't appreciate things that may be a little different than your "Average Person".

[Anthro_Inquisitor]

The only place where people make me mad and very sad is in my drawings. Only a few people like them, most say they are weird and are pointless. When they said pointless I was like just heartbroken. But I guess some people just can't appreciate things that may be a little different than your "Average Person".

Average perspectives have average dislikes. I mean, I appreciate a well thought out betrayal, however ask anyone with a nice upbringing and they just think its bad.


In other news, I learned that BO didn't exist until people started selling deodorant.

Sounds like another placebo effect!

[Nicholai]

About a week ago, I was talking to someone about my tastes as a fur, when one kid I knew (actually a nice guy.) piped up and said; "don't those people have sex dressed as animals?"
 I yelled at him with enough volume to make everyone in the room stare at me like I lit off a bottle rocket. 

I've been asked things like this before, too. It's terrible how one group of people can be so stereotyped... ;_;

The funny thing is, most of the people who have had a negative reaction are perfectly nice, smart people. Just misinformed.

[Kirby the Fox]

I have a pretty country driven family composed of many cousins, great aunts and whatnot with about 95% of them being small game hunters.  About a few years ago I'm sitting down with my dad and I would think maybe his cousin/uncle ( I really don't know what his relation to me is, so I'll just call him my uncle for now) and talking about the usual stuff that happened to them that they neglected to tell the other before.  It was pretty calm until my uncle started talking about his recent hunting experiences.

"I remember it was one calm morning and I was camped out in a large field, I hear a scuffle and see a pretty fox trotting along a few yards ahead of me and I think to myself 'I would like a good fox somewhere in the house'.  So I shoot it and wouldn't you know, I nearly blew half it's torso away!  But I take it to my taxidermist friend who does this GENIUS act of having the fox look like it's hiding in an empty log!  The head and shoulders sticking out one end and the tail out the other, boy was it a beauty!"

I'm just glad he didn't see me squirm so much.  I'm not against hunting as long as you USE the meat and everything, but still...  I was not a very comfy fox that day...

[Nicholai]

I have a pretty country driven family composed of many cousins, great aunts and whatnot with about 95% of them being small game hunters.  About a few years ago I'm sitting down with my dad and I would think maybe his cousin/uncle ( I really don't know what his relation to me is, so I'll just call him my uncle for now) and talking about the usual stuff that happened to them that they neglected to tell the other before.  It was pretty calm until my uncle started talking about his recent hunting experiences.

"I remember it was one calm morning and I was camped out in a large field, I hear a scuffle and see a pretty fox trotting along a few yards ahead of me and I think to myself 'I would like a good fox somewhere in the house'.  So I shoot it and wouldn't you know, I nearly blew half it's torso away!  But I take it to my taxidermist friend who does this GENIUS act of having the fox look like it's hiding in an empty log!  The head and shoulders sticking out one end and the tail out the other, boy was it a beauty!"

I'm just glad he didn't see me squirm so much.  I'm not against hunting as long as you USE the meat and everything, but still...  I was not a very comfy fox that day...

I think I feel a little sick.... On the other hand, the quote "The head and shoulders sticking out one end and the tail out the other, boy was it a beauty!" made my crack up....