Finished my run, trimmed bushes, cleaned up, ate breakfast, ironing done, muffins out of the oven and now I have the privilege of sitting down to my blog. Good way of keeping my priorities in line.
Out on my run this morning, I paid particular attention to the smells surrounding me. The orange blossoms had a strong bouquet waifing across the road, as I ran up the hill towards the trail. On the trail I was tempted by the wonderful aroma of the bar-b-cue coming from the EMA church. It must have been smoking all night. They make the best bar-b-cue. Coming out the the restroom, I was hit in the face with the horrible smell of the gas weed blower the park attendant was using.
I'm sure you have noticed that sometimes it depends on the origin of a smell. For instance, I love the smell of Parmesan cheese when I see it on a bowl of spaghetti. But, the same smell coming from someones shoes, changes that whole perception. If I don't know the source, does it change my reaction? It's all about the image in your mind at the time.
That's the way it is with impressions of people. I've thought about if it had been me, a 71 year old, walking in my neighborhood, in the evening, from the store, in a drizzle, with my hood up on my sweatshirt, with my Skittles in my hand, what may have happened to me. I know that if a stranger were to come up behind me and demand,"What are you doing here?" I know what I have been taught to do. It is scream,"Get away from me!" and fight for all I'm worth.
Of course, when the guy sees my face,I'm sure he would say,"Oh sorry Grammy!" and walk sheepishly away. He may even offer to walk me home to keep me save from the "bad guys" wearing hoodies.
The scenario changes when it is a young man in his hoodie who has been approached. When his face is seen, and he reacts in fear, it is predetermined that he is up to no good and deserves to die. So I guess it is all about the perceived smell, then isn't it?
That's funny that your musings on smells led you to visualize a near skittles mugging!
ReplyDeleteThe perceived smell changes even more when you find out more about the situation. The hoodie wearer was the attacker after being confronted, and the shooter was getting the stuffings beat out of him when he finally was able to get off a shot.
ReplyDeleteAttacker and victim are seen in both parties.