If you never smelled fresh air in your life, upon smelling it would it smell strange or unpleasant to you?
Reading the exploits of some saints on a missionary trip to sub-Saharan Africa they visited a slum that by US standards would not be fit for animals to live in. There were open trenches full of trash and human waste and there was not a single area that did not have a stench day and night. If you grew up in such an environment, never gone to any other place, when you finally did, seeing stench is all you ever smelled; do you think fresh air would smell strange or unpleasant to you?
Observing members:
0
Composing members:
0
6 Answers
It would be strange at first, because it would be different and new. But it would be pleasant, because what we generally consider “fresh air” (like a cool blast after a storm has washed particulate out of the air) is generally more oxygenated because of no other things in the air. And it is refreshing and boosts one’s mood.
So it would be weird, but in a good way.
I’m still sorting through whether this is relevant, but here goes: an old boyfriend of mine was in a nuclear submarine for long, long stretches. The air was “washed” by filtration systems on board so the guys wouldn’t be breathing their own breath and farts etc. They could be underwater breathing, cleaned air for a couple of months at a time. When they surfaced, in a big harbor near a big city, or out at sea, , they would take in “fresh” air and always they would all want to throw up – too strong, too full of life,
for their by-then-delicate noses.
No, it would smell wonderful. Our noses have the ability to mask out unpleasant odors that are always in the air. After a while we don’t smell them.
Nothing made me realize how thick the air around LA is until I went out to a rural place up north. The difference a few states makes was astounding, but certainly not unpleasant or strange. It was terrible going back to the smog checks of home.
I think it would smell fabulous. I believe to some extent we have an innate ability to detect healthy and unheathy environments. My husband, who grew up in Mexico City where the pollution was very high, loves the outdoors in the country. It’s so interesting to see his appreciation for it, his fascination for the smells of the grass, leaves of autumn, and the crispness of winter. Smells he rarely experienced during his early life.
Really interesting point @susanc…how fascinating that that occurred! I would have thought it would smell wonderful. I will be focusing on what the fresh air smells like each time I step outside and will try to smell it in a different colour ;-)
Answer this question 
Composing members:
0
