There are mysteries in life that keep us up at night. How does gravity really work? What is the meaning of life? And perhaps the most urgent one of all: why do so many people smell so bad on public transport? Seriously. Between the stops of tram line 5 or 19, there exists an entire hidden world of scent profiles. A kind of olfactory safari. An aromatic adventure. Just without a guide and with far too little ventilation. Let me be clear. I am not the smell police. I understand that not everyone can smell like lavender and spring fields all the time. But come on. Some smells are no longer accidental or human. They are a direct violation of basic nose rights.
Autumn and the scent of neglect
Let’s start with autumn. Leaves falling, rain tapping gently against the window, and people collectively deciding it is time to bring out the raincoat again. Except “bringing it out” is a generous way of putting it. What actually happens is that the coat is retrieved from a hook somewhere in a dark corner where it has been hanging for eleven months in a slightly damp, forgotten state. And you can smell it. Not subtly. More like a full sensory attack. Imagine a wet dog that spent half an hour in a sealed plastic bag with a handful of mushrooms and a piece of moldy cheese. That is the level we are dealing with. The worst part is that the raincoat usually arrives before the person does. You look up, see a perfectly friendly face, and then the smell hits you like a wet towel to the nose. People. You can wash a raincoat. You can air it out. You can even replace it entirely. Anything is better than this damp autumn tragedy.
Summer and the art of unapologetic sweating
Autumn at least has some charm. Summer, however, is a different story. Dutch summers have quietly turned into something resembling a tropical jungle. You step outside and it feels like walking into warm, humid air that clings to you immediately. No breeze. No relief. Just humidity and a growing awareness of your own existence. And yes, we all sweat. That is normal. I do too. But some people seem to have elevated sweating into a full lifestyle. I am talking about those who, at eight in the morning, already present themselves as if they have just climbed a mountain somewhere far away, complete with damp armpits, a sticky back, and a scent that suggests a very long and intense day. Dear people. It is summer. Wear light clothing. Use deodorant. More than once if needed. And most importantly, wash your armpits. With soap. Properly. And if you are standing in a crowded bus, arm raised, holding onto one of those overhead loops, take a brief moment to consider the person directly beneath your armpit. They also have rights. Nose rights.
The mystery of morning smells
The most confusing category of all is the morning smell. There is no better term for it. It is half past seven. You are barely awake. You sit down in the tram, hoping for a quiet start to your day. And then someone sits next to you who smells like they have already completed a full workday, including a marathon and possibly a side quest. Meanwhile, you hear them say on the phone, “Yes, I’m on my way to the office.” On your way? It smells like you started yesterday and never stopped. We live in a time of washing machines, showers, clean clothes, and endless access to soap. There is simply no reason to move through the city as a walking cloud of questionable decisions. Unless, of course, you have made it your personal mission. “I’m not dirty, I’m natural.” No. You are a moving challenge for everyone’s sense of smell.
Honest smells deserve respect
To be fair, not all smells are created equal. There is such a thing as an honest smell. The street worker who has been laying pavement since early morning. The delivery driver who has run up multiple flights of stairs carrying heavy packages. The bike mechanic covered in grease and sweat after fixing your chain in the sun. Those are the smells of effort. Of work. Of reality. There is something respectable about that. But even then, it is entirely possible to work hard and still bring a clean shirt. Or take a shower afterwards. We always come back to the same solution. Soap. Water. Basic effort.
A simple agreement for everyone
Maybe it is time for a collective agreement. A shared understanding. Wash yourself. Daily. Use deodorant. Not as decoration. Air out your coat. Or replace it. Change your clothes. Yesterday’s shirt is not a legacy item. And before you leave the house, take a moment to check in with yourself. Honestly. If you know you will be in close quarters with others, make a small extra effort. You do not need to smell like a perfume store. Just fresh is enough.
A final request
We are all human. We sweat. We smell. We have busy mornings and lazy moments. That is completely fine. But let’s keep things within reasonable limits. Especially in public transport. Because what happens in your armpit rarely stays there. So next time you step onto a bus or tram, do not just check if you brought your travel card. Ask yourself one simple question. Have I respected the people around me today with my scent? If the answer is no, there is only one solution. Back to the shower. Try again. The traveling public will thank you. And so will I.
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