Fragrance speaks...but is anybody listening?

“IT'S NOT what you said. It was how you said it.”

Photo courtesy of Covergirl

That is an oft-heard line heralding the start of another lovers’ tiff, give or take a few words. Believe it or not, when it comes to verbal communications, what is not verbalised is more important than what is. Research studies have estimated that as much as 55% of face-to-face communication is conveyed through body language, while eye contact, facial expression and tone of voice account for a whopping 38%. To be convincing, words alone are inadequate. That’s why 'selling' is probably one of the toughest jobs in the world. Even a 10-second Covergirl commercial makes for a tricky shoot. 

        Anthropologists claim the Neanderthal Man never communicated as verbally or linguistically as we do now, conveying meaning mainly through bodily movements and facial expressions. Clearly, centuries of evolution have not altered our 'default settings' for communication; we are still hardwired to non-verbal modes of communicating though I prefer to describe it as ‘multi-sensory communication’.

       Visual cues continue to reign supreme in face-to-face communication. That’s a given. In a fast-paced society, making the desired first impression has even become a multi-million dollar industry. The right gestures, the right clothes, the right accessories etc. are all important pieces of the image jigsaw puzzle people are trying to create for themselves. But what about the right scent? What does your fragrance say about you? 

       Imagine a well-groomed gentleman dressed in an immaculate 3-piece suit. His shoes are as well-polished as his manners. But he reeks rather obnoxiously of smoke, grease and gasoline.  What might be the impression he’s giving you?

        If I were in a forgiving mood, I’d probably think he’d just doused himself with some vintage Dior Fahrenheit. As a prospective employer however, I might be inclined to view it as an alarming inattention to details. There is of course the equal probability that he is simply a rich guy who does not care if his fragrance rubs people the wrong way.

       As unwise as it is for a person to make assumptions about another, often all we have is a meagre few seconds to convey a positive first impression. Is our ‘scent du jour’ therefore up to the task? Will it be an asset or a liability? Or should fragrance remain an afterthought? 

Would you still find her as attractive if she smells of unwashed armpits?