Whenever I talk to other Caucasian women married to Korean men often the conversation eventually comes around to ‘What deodorant do you use? Which one is best?’
For those that don’t know, the majority of Korean and Japanese populations have a genetic mutation that means they don’t get the bacteria in their arm pits (because less of a certain sweat gland) that causes BO (body odour) that the rest of the world gets. So they don’t have to wear deodorant and never ever get that smell. That’s why when you do get the (very normal) BO smell and are married to a Korean person you have to be super careful because that smell will be even more offensive to them. Like it sucks in Australia when there are stinky people right? But we are pretty used to that smell even though it’s still gross. Imagine what it’s like for someone that rarely ever has to be around that smell and is suddenly bombarded with it.
Being in Korea means that lately I’ve rarely had to be overwhelmed with that type of body odour because I’m pedantic about not having it myself and I’m just always around Koreans, so when I do come across it in Seoul – wow it’s a shock! I forgot what it’s like. It lingers too. We have got into taxis and there has been a lingering smell and it’s like, “Foreigners have been in this taxi”. It’s something to consider when visiting or living in Korea and Japan – will your body odour cause some problems?
Mr Gwon saying “eww” at me putting deodorant on is just running joke between us. It’s something we always joke about. I am seriously jealous of Koreans not needing deodorant.
Some additional points: I recommend Dove or Rexona Clinical Care deodorants. They are a little bit more expensive but work so much better than normal deodorants. Also, Korean people can still get odours like anyone else- bad breath, feet smell etc, BUT they won’t get that universal BO smell from the armpits that everyone else gets. A few days without showering will produce a milder sour smell rather than the gut-wrenching, kill me now, smell that people can get!
We also joke about whether our kids will inherit the no smell Korean gene or be stuck with the stinky white gene. It’s a lottery and can go either way. I guess we will find out when they hit puberty and we sit them down and be like, “Congratulations!” or “I’m very sorry. You stink. Here’s some deodorant”.
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