Speaking of the perfume lady...

[Felica]

The post about running the gauntlet at a store reminded me of something that happened to Dh a couple of weekends ago.

He was out shopping with his best friend and a man from the men's cologne counter approached them and without asking, sprayed them with cologne. It happened to be Polo. For some further explanation, I can not tolerate the smell of Polo. I do not know why. When around someone wearing Polo, I begin to sneeze over and over, my eyes water and burn and sometimes puff up if I don't move away quickly enough, and of all things, my lips swell and get itchy. Don't ask me why, I have no clue and no other perfume has ever effected me this way.

Dh was furious of course and pretty much chewed the guy out for it. They got home and Dh ended up having to take a shower and toss those clothes into the washer right away. Best friend had to go home as well because I could not tolerate the scent.

Dh called the store and complained about it and got told that it was 'policy' to provide samples of scents to intice people to buy the colognes.

In what life is it NOT rude to douse someone in cologne without getting permission?

[sooverit]

I would get in touch with the corporate office.  What if he had been severely allergic to it and they sprayed him???  That's simply ridiculous.  Maybe we should all go to the perfume counter and chase these people around spraying them and see if they like it...

[quiet_dreamer]

Wow, good thing that didn't happen to me. I wouldn't have been allowed back in my house until I'd taken a shower and my clothes had been washed no less than 3 times. My father is seriously allergic to all artificial scents. I can't believe someone would do that...

[unicornbee]

You know, that is considered assault now because there are so many people with allergies. I would have had to stay away from my house for several days and probably buy new clothes because my mom's asthma is so bad.

[rashea]

Dh called the store and complained about it and got told that it was 'policy' to provide samples of scents to intice people to buy the colognes.

In what life is it NOT rude to douse someone in cologne without getting permission?

Samples are things you ask for. I love getting samples at the Ben and Jerry's store, but I wouldn't like it if they forced it down my throat. Call back, tell them if they do it again he will consider it assault.

[lamorevincera]

If anyone EVER sprayed me without my consent, I'd stop and demand their manager RIGHT AWAY. And when the manager got there, ask them how they are going to help me out now, as I am now unfit to be in my fiance's presence... He's highly (and I mean HIGHLY) allergic to fragrances, and I'd be in trouble if I was actually WITH him. They'd be buying me a new outfit to wear, and I'd have to go into their bathroom and try to scrub any exposed skin down.

[Xallanthia]

Same for me...  DH cannot tolerate most scents (luckily I have a few that work--if it doesn't have flowers, it's OK).  When we have to walk through the makeup/perfume section of the store I lead him by the hand because he has to close his eyes and breathe shallow to avoid feeling sick when he leaves the store.  But even if he weren't, I'd be furious anyway!  Who sprays someone without their permission?

[AprilRenee]

That "policy" is beyond odd. What if someone was already wearing perfume or cologne? The scent of the smell they spray on you would mix wiht what you are already wearing and I cannot imagine it would smell good at all.

[TheaterDiva1]

Dh called the store and complained about it and got told that it was 'policy' to provide samples of scents to intice people to buy the colognes.

Samples, yet... but don't they usually just spray a piece of paper and hand it to you?

[Elle]

BadElle got loose once after I got sprayed with perfume. I'm very allergic to artificial scents (one of the lovely petrochemicals they use to extend the scent is what does it). They give me the most incredible migraines. It's so painful that I literally cannot fathom that perfumes smell good to most normal people.

While GoodElle was reeling from the 'that did not just happen' BadElle slipped the knot in her sack and got loose. In minutes she had the head of the makeup counter, the manager of the makeup department, and the poor, poor sales associate line up for a royal chewing out. When she got to the point about severe allergies the sales associate was crying (I feel badly about that) and when she got to the part about 'assault' the sales associate's boss blanched, and when the makeup manager mentioned mall security BedElle mentioned cops and lawyers. BadElle, satisfied her point had been made, took GoodElle home and put her to bed in the dark with a cold compress before meekly returning to her sack.

But the perfume counter does not spray people anymore. They even 'strongly discourage' people from misting it in the air (who realistically are far worse offenders than the sales associates, IMO).

[Cyradis]

I don't understand why this policy persists.  Some people are deathly allergic to artificial scents, they can trigger migraines and illness in others and being unexpectedly misted is just plain annoying.

I adore perfume though L'eau d'Issey and Poison can make me queasy. But I want to take my time browsing and sampling on cards before I commit to anything. I do a lot of sampling  before I try anything on my skin. Being randomly sprayed would guarantee I never bought anything from that store again.