Weird smells you love.

[Euphony]

My mom was running the vacuum today and it reminded me of this.

I absolutely love all kinds of fuel and motor related smells: gasoline, car and truck exhaust, lawnmower fumes, and that slight burning smell that comes from the belt of a running vacuum cleaner. Pretty much anything that runs on a motor and emits some sort of scent = instant awesomeness. I really enjoy the smell of new tire rubber, too. I actually have this rubber lint brush thing that smells exactly like new tires, and I can't resist sniffing it from time to time. It doesn't do shit as a lint brush but it sure smells nice.

All of this completely baffles me, though. I don't like driving--nor am I very good at it--and I have absolutely no interest in cars or mechanics or racing or anything like that. And they say that scent is strongly tied to memory--for instance, I've heard some people say they like the smell of gasoline so much because their father or grandfather was a mechanic and they would come home smelling like it--but I can't think of any such memories involving cars. Maybe I was a Nascar driver in a former life, I dunno. Or maybe it's just because gasoline fumes are an inhalant, heh.

Anyway, what gives? Do any of you guys have weird smells that you just can't get enough of that maybe other people around you find gross? And why do you think you enjoy them so much?

[Ronove]

Yes, I have some.

I like the smell of makeup. I hate wearing the crap, but for some reason, I have always loved the smell of it. I have no idea why I love the smell of it--prolly cause I really like my mom. That's what I always remember when I was a kid--I could smell the make up she put on in the morning. That's the only way I think I can describe it.

[supershigi]

Clean laundry and Sanrio products (Hello Kitty stores)... the latter smells like a mix between new rubber and fruity Japanese candy.

EDIT: On second thought, those aren't really weird. Here's a weird one: Freezers. I love the smell of freezers and air conditioners... it's probably the freon. In grocery stores I'm known to stick my head into the freezer section and inhale... it makes the inside of my nose icy and it just smells so good.

[Ronove]

I forgot about clean laundry. I remember being a kid and when my mom would take out a towel or blanket out of the dryer I would steal it and smell it and kinda be warm in it.

[Lunarea]

I love the smell of new paper, especially if it's new books. Sometimes when no one's watching, I open up a book in in the book store and smell a page.

[Jaabi]

Yeah, petrol smells sweet to me. Now obviously I'm never going to start sniffing it, but still...

New car smell however I can't stand. My dad used to work with an old car or two when I was little... so maybe I have the same explanation? I also don't care at all for cars, can't drive, and so on.

[Kojo]

Leather. Hands down.

[Valkryz]

Correction pen. Some people told me it's chemical, and it's poisonous, but I can never seem to get enough of the smell of its fluid. Back then in my high school time, I used to smell my friends' correction pen all the time, and they all have this sweet reaction of surprise and all when they see it ~ Too bad no more for me, as college we work with lappy most of the time DX

[Professor Yoshi]

I love the smell of industrial areas and farmsteads. I know it's normally unpleasant, but it's something I've always enjoyed.

[supershigi]

Originally Posted by Val

Correction pen. Some people told me it's chemical, and it's poisonous, but I can never seem to get enough of the smell of its fluid. Back then in my high school time, I used to smell my friends' correction pen all the time, and they all have this sweet reaction of surprise and all when they see it ~ Too bad no more for me, as college we work with lappy most of the time DX

Haha, yes this. I used to love that stuff! I don't think I've used white-out in ages.