This question came about over a discussion my brother and I had about whether dogs should be on leashes when outside. We both agreed that yes, they should, for several reasons, but that’s not the point.
Let’s use a hypothetical to better illustrate the question. Imagine that there’s a perfume - vanilla, for example - that doesn’t bother you at all (you don’t like nor dislike it), but that is very upsetting to some people, and can even cause some adverse reactions (allergies or something). In this hypothetical, based on the negative effects, you agree that vanilla perfumes should be banned. Currently, however, they are allowed.
You’re walking down the street, and randomly smell someone passing you by and they’re wearing a vanilla perfume.
Would that upset you? Why, or why not?
My answer is yes, without a doubt. Even though the smell itself doesn’t bother me, the fact someone would wear that perfume and not only potentially upset others, but put them in danger, is upsetting.
My brother, however, would say no! He couldn’t explain his reasoning to me.
I know this is a little convoluted, but I hope I got my question across.
You would notice that I wrote, as a condition of the hypothetical, that you agree with the banning. Hence, it is perfectly irrelevant if you think it’s crazy, in actuality. It’s a hypothetical. You know? A hypothetical - a make-believe situation, if you will - to illustrate the question. It’s when you imagine something that isn’t real in hopes that, that way, you could maybe distance yourself from other factors that could cloud your judgement if you were tackling a real problem.
It does seem, based on yours and others’ replies, that this particular hypothetical wasn’t very effective. For that, I apologize.
I will, however, point out that it is indeed normal to be upset at other people when they wear intense and obtrusive perfumes, or if they smell intensely of something. If you smell terrible - including strong or disagreeable perfumes - you won’t be allowed into many establishments, may be kicked out of public transport, etc. So no, it’s not utter insanity, it’s actually perfectly normal.
Then again, nobody was arguing about that! So, I guess that’s that.