Deodorant in France
There is a longstanding stereotype about the French that they don’t like to wear deodorant and hence they tend to smell. While it is probably an oversimplification, it is not entirely untrue. As the weather warms up going to the gym can be a bit of an ordeal.
Now all gyms smell a bit, but on warmer days I swear Euforie, our gym, smells like a hot day at the zoo. It could be due to ventilation, sweat, heat, or lack of deodorant, all are possibly true. There is however, the unmistakable scent of bodies not modified by deodorant. I rarely hear English in the gym but the other day someone walked in with a friend and I overheard their conversation, it started out with “Is someone making crystal meth in here?” I am assuming they said this because of the smell, so I am not alone in feeling this way.
Which brings me to my lovely doctor. I really like my doctor who was referred to us by friends. Going to the doctor in France is a treat because you are not rushed through in 15 minutes or less, you can get all the tests you need done with very little worry about cost, and you feel it is focused on your health and not managing a patient caseload.
However, . . . I have a lot of allergies. I used to use the crystal deodorant you could buy in Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s. It did not cause skin rashes for me, it did not have a fake flower smell, and it kept my odor at bay. It also lasts about a year before it stops working. Mine recently stopped working so I tried cheaper regular deodorants. All of which caused terrible rashes under my arms and then when going to the gym and sweating, the rash would get irritated to no end. So I stopped using them but the rash persisted.
Last visit to the doctor I showed him the rashes and asked him what to do. I explained to him about the deodorant but he also had me do a thyroid test and some other test to make sure there was not some other issue. No other issue. He said this is easy to solve, stop wearing deodorant. I told him that I have very strong body odor and stopping was not an option. He looked at me quite quizzically and with a wave of the hand told me then to get a nice eau de toilet to cover it up. Nice. So while I think the French don’t smell as much as they used to there is a cultural norm that says body odor is not that bad, well trust me, mine is.
So today I tasked myself with finding one of those crystal deodorants. I went to a variety of health food type stores and was able to find them but at a whopping 18€, that’s nearly $28, for one small crystal deodorant. I was walking by Galleries de Lafayette on Rue d’Alsace Lorraine and saw there was a big spa/cream section. I went in an asked around and no one knew what I was talking about, but a customer overheard and she showed the employees where they were located, French employees in big department stores-that’s another thread. So there they were and these were only 11€. Getting better. The woman also said you can get them at the pharmacy. I left and went to the closest pharmacy, where a slightly larger size one was and for only 10€ about $15, still expensive compared to $5.49 at Trader Joe’s, but I was desperate so I bought one.
At those prices no wonder some French don’t want to wear deodorant. So if any readers are racked with guilt for having missed my birthday on May 7th the perfect gift would be some crystal deodorant. Any summer visitors that are looking to stay here must bring crystal deodorant.
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Tags: deodorant, do the french smell, France, french smells
May 19th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
there’s a TJ’s right up the street, tell me where to send it. Also, weren’t you so excited by the Obama outdoor rally in Portland, Oregon this week-end? 75,000+ showed up. Go, Portland and Go Obama!
May 19th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
What a great post! It made me laugh so hard, especially the crystal meth part. There’s no doubt you’ll be getting lots of that crystal deoderant in the mail. We’ll be sure to bring some when whenever we come to visit.
May 19th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
Thanks Kim, but I am set for now, but Christmas is not far away.
Michelle, just to be clear, crystal deodorant is what I am seeking, not that other stuff.
May 20th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
Hmmm. Maybe you should give me the name of your doctor (inspite of the deodorant thing). To understand why, read this post:
Cyberfrance: another point of view from Lost in France: superficial
May 20th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
You wouldn’t have been able to see him in that state. He is the most lo tech person I know. He works 9-1 only, has no receptionist or computer, writes out his referral appointments on the back of used envelopes, writes his own case files on scraps of paper and paper clips them in order and puts them in those ubiquitous accordeon folders only the french still use., and DOES NOT take appointments, yet and still I really like him. He gives you his complete attention and recommends any relevant tests and with the same wave of the arm dismisses the cost, not that we have to pay, but he says, you need it, you should get it done. If you’d like his name we can certainly give it to you.