Halifax Stinks

            Halifax stinks – literally that is.  My trip home was all that I hoped it would be – with one exception.  After carefully reading all that was available on the scent/no-scent issue that was the hottest topic in the Metropolitan area, as well as listening to the TV broadcasts on the subject, I sided with those that felt this whole ‘scent issue’ was making Halifax the laughing stock of Canada.  A strong statement for me to make since Halifax was my home for the first 25 years of my life and I always recall those years fondly.

             No one can be all things to all people – especially politicians.  While some are dedicated to taking a firm stand on issues that are important to them and the people they represent, others take the wishy-washy stand and support whoever squeaks the loudest regardless of whether the issue is a good one or not.  Make no mistake; we do have some dedicated politicians working very hard on our behalf.  Unfortunately we have too many of the other variety as well.

             The results of my observations on the scent issue lead me to believe that too many politicians and city officials in the Halifax area have been inhaling too much of that salty, invigorating Maritime air and it has befuddled their brains.

             It seems that the wearing of scented hair products, deodorants and, of course, perfume and aftershave has been banned in some of the area schools as well as in some government establishments.  I didn’t research just where the bans were in place as I was so incensed at how some local residents were being treated over this issue that my focus was on their negative adventures.

             While I have complete sympathy for those unfortunate people who suffer from allergies, I do not think that the world should revolve around them.  Nor do I think the world should revolve around those who smoke.  It’s a known fact that non-smokers put in much more time at work than those that do smoke – and receive the same amount of pay.  Many of you readers can relate to smokers taking 101 breaks each day to puff away while you are putting in steady time at your job.  Areas have been created for these smokers – but is there an area set aside for the non-smokers to relax and take 101 breaks as well?  How would it be received if each non-smoker were away from his/her work area the same number of times as the smoker?

             However, smoking is not the issue here – stinking is.  There are far too many people who believe that they are ‘owed’ by society or even by the world at large.  There is no need for any young girl getting pregnant today unless she wants to and there are far too many that figure the government ‘owes’ them when they do.  Take a look at our welfare rolls.  While many, decent people are on welfare due to their unfortunate circumstances, I’ll wager that there are just as many on welfare because they feel it’s their right.  Even though they are quite capable of earning a living.

 Therefore, to me, it holds true that those with allergies shouldn’t expect the whole population to cater to their needs – by wearing unscented deodorant and hair products and by leaving the perfume and aftershave products on the store shelf.  Yes they have my sincere sympathies – I happen to be one that suffers from mild allergies, but I don’t expect anything from anyone else.  This is my problem to deal with the best I can.  I also suffer from claustrophobia, but I don’t expect all buildings to make their elevators twice as large because I feel so closed in when entering any of the existing elevators.

             So you can understand my complete anger and disappointment to hear that an 84-year-old woman was ejected from the Halifax Regional Council chambers for wearing perfume.  A 17 years old student was suspended from school for wearing Aqua Velvet deodorant and Dippity-Do gel in his hair.  The person who lodged the complaint was one of his teachers.  None of the reports I read suggested she had any allergies – they merely stated that she ‘objected’ to the scents he was wearing.  Believe me, there is something definitely wrong with this picture.

             What makes matters worse is that at this young fellow’s school, first and second scent offenses result in the student being made to wash the scents away.  Third offense is a one-day suspension followed by a 2-day suspension for subsequent offenses. There was also the possibility of local police laying a charge of mischief.  It was also reported that if the teacher’s reaction had been severe enough (I assume she had an allergy although it was not reported as such) a charge of assault could have been laid. All because a student cares about his hygiene and does his best to be presentable. 

 I wonder what the penalties would be for using none of these products and appearing at school with a strong body odor.  Ever been near a student after he or she has completed a sports activity?  Why isn’t the Human Rights issue being addressed here?  Is it because the target groups seem to be teens and senior citizens?  Don’t we all have a right to freedom of choice?  Are we now going to let wishy-washy politicians tell us what deodorant we can and can’t buy?  Shame on those who took the easy way out and stood back and watched this issue get to the point it has.

             Granted, some people don’t have a strong sense of smell and might not realize that they are using too much aftershave or perfume and the scent is quite strong for others in their vicinity to deal with. But this is a personal thing and I see nothing wrong with politely informing this person that it would be appreciated if they used less.  But to make strong rules with ridiculous penalties just doesn’t sit right with me.

             Perhaps this stink will all blow over, but in the mean time those politicians who jumped on the ‘ban the scent’ issue should have their workplace moved to the middle of a fish plant – and work from there for a month!  Perhaps then, a good swift intake of that wonderful sea air would not befuddle.  Everyone knows that eating fish make you smart!  Perhaps inhaling their distinct odor would be the same thing as digesting smartening up pills.