A new county ordinance allows librarians in San Luis Obisbo County (CA) to prohibit people from using the library if they are deemed smelly , or the AP article states, no reeking readers.
This of course leads to discussion of the definition of smelly…(perhaps a future poll?); is it overperfumed, garlicky, saturated in tobacco smoke, unwashed, or…
Up with curry! Down with perfume!
We have a lot of East Indian patrons, and frequently, they smell, to my nose, wonderful–cumin and garlic and onions and curry… It’s downright heady. But, other colleagues say they are really bothered by it. I have a hard time with perfumed patrons. It’s not that I don’t care for what they’re doused in, but that it triggers migraines, light-headedness, tingling in my back, and other symptoms of chemical sensitivity. BO or curry has never done that to me. My gag reflexes have been tested a very few times by organic smells, but I’ve never gotten a migraine from them.
Re:Up with curry! Down with perfume!
Our library tends to base it on how strong it is… If it makes the whole reading room smell, then you’re discreetly spoken to and asked to come back when you’re a little less fragrant.
If it just smells when you’re in someone’s personal space area, then we let them stay. But it’s not fair when they’re clearing out the building.
I wonder what they do for health problems? I mean, it’s not like some people can help it… There are some fantastic grey areas to be explored here.
Re:Up with curry! Down with perfume!
I draw the line at patrons who smell like ass.
Perfume
I love how whenever these debates come up someone has to mention perfume. I can tell you that if I go to the library and sit in a chair and my clothes pick up the odor of perfume from some prior person I would much rather have that then the smell of rotting trash on my clothes. There is no comparsion between smelling like crap, puke, urine, and nasty BO and some perfume.