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日本語/Japanese  Sat 05/03 21:07 JST
An ad for deodorant featuring an old lady who suddenly appears out of nowhere to sniff girls armpits. She then holds up a sign with her circle of approval and says "good!"

When I first came to Japan, I was extremely surprised that men didn't have a custom of using deodorant. All I saw on TV or in posters were deodorant for women. The pharmacy's were filled with deodorant packaged and marketed for women only and were in the womens section. Did feel kinda odd picking up a can of pink deodorant but soon got used to it ^^;

As men didn't use deodorant over here, getting on a train filled with sweaty smelly school boys and salary men was not a particularly nice experience. Maybe they were brought up to think that they didnt smell or that using deodorant was embarrassing?

Back in the UK, men using deodorant was normal and there were plenty of brands marketed and packaged for men.

These days in Japan however, some cosmetics companies have started to make deodorant targeted at men but only a few meaning that smelly train carriages will be around for a bit longer.

When you was in Tokyo, did you encounter the surrounded-by-smelly-men-on-train situation? Are men in general smelly in your region?

As for the CM, there are loads of the CM but could only find the one below which I posted before.
Categories
Polls
killswitch in Wiesbaden, Germany
Lasersword operator
Registered on 2008/03/22 08:03
in germany it's normal to use deodorant, <3 my Axe-deodorant^^

i would die in a train with smelly guys/girls!!!
(ID #180462) Posted on 2008/05/03 21:18
woho in Germany
Mediadesigner
Registered on 2008/04/22 01:37
yes, AXE ftw :)

saw that commercial a while ago and was all wtf?! ... Japanese commercials never cease to amaze me ... or creep me out ... or just plain wtf?! ;)
(ID #180466) Posted on 2008/05/03 21:28
wcloudx in Singapore
Artist
Registered on 2008/01/12 03:00
Seconded.

AXE for the way!! >_<
(ID #180512) Posted on 2008/05/03 22:19
XII in Munich, Germany
Student
Registered on 2007/06/05 01:48
Ha, Rexona.
I'm just glad I'm really bad at smelling.
(ID #180605) Posted on 2008/05/03 23:33
killswitch in Wiesbaden, Germany
Lasersword operator
Registered on 2008/03/22 08:03
hahahaha^^
(ID #181191) Posted on 2008/05/04 22:28
gregory_gdp in Boise, ID
Photographer
Registered on 2007/07/16 21:56
I wouldn't say we (being men) smell like spring flowers but we do take care of our BO when we are out and about because the ladies definitely don't like the smell of BO.  
(ID #180464) Posted on 2008/05/03 21:23
D_Blade in Montreal
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
Registered on 2006/12/31 22:48
Well, if ladies did like BO, it would be quite the surprising thing. ^^;
But really, certain men should learn how to take care of themselves (showers, deo, but also shaving, etc.). If not to please others it should be done in the name of body hygiene.
(ID #180482) Posted on 2008/05/03 21:51
Pocket in the UK
Student
Registered on 2008/05/22 02:29
Actually some girls do like BO.  It's a prehistoric thing.  Pheromones and such.  I still wear deo for the sake of everybidy else, though.  ^_^
(ID #194259) Posted on 2008/05/23 04:52
SS8Kilo in Knoxville, TN
Registered on 2007/12/15 09:41
Most men where D.O. for their B.O., but you always have a few that don't.
(ID #180557) Posted on 2008/05/03 22:52
nya-chama in London, United Kingdom
Student/Freelance Programmer
Registered on 2007/10/31 09:18
Ewww, my desire to visit Japan has been taken down a peg >.>;;;;

I use Sure for Men~ Not fragrant but keeps me dry when doing sports ^^v I remember in school we used to try out each other's deodorants after PE (spray on ones, not the roll-ons O.O;;;;).
(ID #180470) Posted on 2008/05/03 21:36
ewiwo in Java
comicreader & robobuilder
Registered on 2008/05/09 23:34
ist about hard work! ^_^
(ID #180474) Posted on 2008/05/03 21:42
wickedclown in California, USA
Otaku, Computer tech, Student
Registered on 2007/12/07 21:33
O.o wow, never knew that.  Yeah here, pretty much everyone uses deodorant, it's absolutely necessary.  I have run into quite a few people that either don't use deodorant or just don't take showers, it makes me wanna gag. =/  Sometimes it gets REALLY bad at cons, small event room + summer time + a lot of people who tend to not take showers packed into that room = stink that can kill.
(ID #180475) Posted on 2008/05/03 21:44
Amstrad in Buffalo, NY
IT
Registered on 2007/09/21 01:39
The last time I went to a con I made a point of showering every morning before heading out and liberally applying deodorant. I really really didn't want to be the smelly con guy.
(ID #180532) Posted on 2008/05/03 22:35
wickedclown in California, USA
Otaku, Computer tech, Student
Registered on 2007/12/07 21:33
Lol, exactly.  I do the same. xD  Especially since con days tend to be real long.
(ID #180752) Posted on 2008/05/04 05:48
Tami in Germany - Cologne
WebDesign, Coding, Administration
Registered on 2007/12/16 10:42
I usualy went by taxi or foot around in Tokyo as 8-10 years ago i was totaly afraid of kanjis and also missing a train or geting in the wrong one etc. (back then i didnt have had the expierience to live in a big city, i was a cow-village girl  - ugh! Also i didnt even check the train stations out to see if they have or have not english signs lol... yea i was young... ^^)
So... no i didn't have that expierience in Tokyo, however i did have it in germany. ;)
Even though males here tend to use deodorant, not all do... so on  loaded trains it can get really iky here too.
Hmm they have only pink deos in Tokyo? Girls deos here tend to have colours from white to pink and light blue, depending on the brand and what kind of deo.
Maybe you should buy a load of mens deo when you are in germany. ;)
Imagine a blind groper on a train that thinks you are a girl just cause your deo... uhh huu!
(I actually would die to read that in the newspaper!)
(ID #180477) Posted on 2008/05/03 21:45
D_Blade in Montreal
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
Registered on 2006/12/31 22:48
Personally I don't think I smell and I don't use deodorants since I don't sweat much even during effort (Thank you, my parents! Thank you genetics!), and my sense of smell is really weak, so I can't answer your question.
As long as people regularly take showers it should be okay, anyway.
(ID #180479) Posted on 2008/05/03 21:47
Lost In Life in India
Student at College
Registered on 2008/01/24 17:33
It's so hot here right now that with just the fan running, in the morning when I wake up, I'm stuck to my bed :(. 

Need two baths a day to stay human. And yes, a very small minority of my country's population chooses to use deo. No small wonder then, we have ads that ask to you to lift your arms in public transport to get more breathing space :D.
(ID #180488) Posted on 2008/05/03 21:58
G4tsu in Lille, France
Student in Japanese Language, civilization, culture and history
Registered on 2007/12/23 21:55
Waoh! O_o
That's unthinkable in France. Here everyone use deodorant (btw deodorant is a french word ^^). I didn't know that side of Japan.
(ID #180494) Posted on 2008/05/03 22:04
x33b in Chicago, USA
Network Admin
Registered on 2007/11/24 04:49
I could have sworn some time ago deodorant wasn't used in France. Or maybe that was the shaved arm pit thing...
(ID #180572) Posted on 2008/05/03 23:02
FatBastard in over his head
Meat Puppet
Registered on 2007/11/04 18:16
I was in Japan during the fall, so I didn't encounter alot of sweaty people. That unfortunately also meant the girls weren't dressed as skanky. 

Surprised to hear men don't use deoderant there as Tokyo stores were marketing men's makeup & facial treatments when I was there which is almost nonexistent here. I live in a cool, dry climate so while BO does exist it's managable. 
(ID #180499) Posted on 2008/05/03 22:09
Evil King in Vlaardingen, the Netherlands, Earth
Student and full-time otaku
Registered on 2007/12/19 00:24
I'm happy to report I've never been so close to a dude that I could smell him.  But overhere, everyone's on the Deo, so no harm I guess. Although I never knew that this was something uncommon in Japan.
(ID #180527) Posted on 2008/05/03 22:31
Timotei in Sweden
NEET
Registered on 2008/02/17 09:28
I don't really go around and smell on other people, but most of my friends are using deodorant. Most of the people are using it here in Sweden I guess.
(ID #180528) Posted on 2008/05/03 22:32
seraph4g in Jakarta
Registered on 2007/12/22 00:10
Maybe Japanese women prefer men with bad body odor? :P 
(ID #180534) Posted on 2008/05/03 22:37
student
Registered on 2007/11/16 21:18
That's also depends on what kind of men they are.

(ID #180681) Posted on 2008/05/04 02:46
Phenie in South Africa
Catgirl Trainer.
Registered on 2007/01/08 15:26
I'm allergic to most deodorant ;_;

I have to use a very specific type of roll on, so I have large stocks of it :P

Here in SA anyone who can afford deodorant normally wears it, though there are many people who, far from not wearing deodorant, don't even bath or shower regularly, fortunately they are not really in my area. ~_~
(ID #180562) Posted on 2008/05/03 22:54
lostandfound in a UFO... catcher...
Part human, part student, 100% loser
Registered on 2007/10/22 02:10
GOOD!
(ID #180567) Posted on 2008/05/03 22:58
tick tock in Tokyo
Full-time student へへ
Registered on 2008/05/21 23:18
it's not really a problem now, but in a month or two when summer comes.... *phew*. come to think of it, axe debuted quite recently in japan too. i remember the corny commercials on tv.
(ID #180568) Posted on 2008/05/03 22:58
x33b in Chicago, USA
Network Admin
Registered on 2007/11/24 04:49
I'm pretty sure it was covered by someone else, but just out everyone here uses deodorant. It's all about Old Spice High Endurance or Red Zone depending on your activities.
(ID #180574) Posted on 2008/05/03 23:05
The Lyrical Loli in Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Asst. Manager at a *******
Registered on 2007/10/14 15:32
Why does the old woman in the picture look like Mrs. Doubtfire? Lulz
(ID #180582) Posted on 2008/05/03 23:10
leefe in a tincan.
Lazyass human
Registered on 2007/08/15 20:25
Here in Singapore it's pretty common for guys to have deodorants. And I'm pretty sure there are advertisements running for men deodorants. Even perfumes, cosmetics and etc...
Personally I'm using an Adidas DO. Not particularly fussed with the brand as I only use it when I need it. Like times I go for workouts or games. 
(ID #180598) Posted on 2008/05/03 23:29
e-jump in Malaysia
Test Engineer
Registered on 2007/12/22 21:34
Japanese males must be proud of their manly smell, the sweat of youth etc etc :D
*I myself use deodorant once in a while 
(ID #180603) Posted on 2008/05/03 23:32
Sakari in Tokyo
Student
Registered on 2007/06/20 01:24
Yeh my host brother had a bit of a laugh when I first used deodorant. It's weird though considering how metrosexual japanese men are. They sure groom their eyebrows but they dont use deodorant
(ID #180623) Posted on 2008/05/04 00:18
Registered on 2006/12/24 23:42
Strange thing is while in Japan I didn't find anyone smelly while packed like sardines in a rushhour train. must have been real lucky then. ^^
(ID #180630) Posted on 2008/05/04 00:40
Registered on 2006/12/24 23:42
I believe I mentioned this on a previous comment, however I was fortunate enough to be jammed into an elevator full of school girls while going up tokyo tower. ^^ smelled really nice. ^^; can't remember how many sumimasen I said while the elevator was going up.
(ID #180635) Posted on 2008/05/04 00:45
Sarikosan in Colorado
Student
Registered on 2008/05/04 00:52
Unfortunately, I'm  usually the smelly one (even though I'm a girl, and most definitely use deodorant), especially after I slipped and fell in a puddle of tuna blood at the Tsukiji fish market.  I got a very wide berth on the train after that.
(ID #180638) Posted on 2008/05/04 00:57
PROXL in Costa Rica
Photography, Dealer,computer student
Registered on 2008/05/22 07:23
we use Axe so no smelly guys here
(ID #180643) Posted on 2008/05/04 01:08
student learning to be an accountant
Registered on 2008/02/26 15:45
here IN PAK its normal for everyone to use deodorants perfumes. i think its a healthy habit . wonder what is wrong with Japanese boys. i feel bad if i forget to put on deoderant and i know i will sweat
(ID #180648) Posted on 2008/05/04 01:15
chun in home feeling sleepy LOL
part time illustrationist, doll clothing seamstress
Registered on 2007/01/09 14:33
the men here smells like deodorant... just kidding LOL I think in asia due to the hot humid weather the men (even women ^^;;; ) tend to smell of sweat and stuff esp if they don't use deodorant. In vancouver however there is definitely a large variety of deodorant for men, as for singapore I can't remember LOL

But what can smell really bad = perfume and sweat *passes out*
(ID #180652) Posted on 2008/05/04 01:20
BIGGU-gAi in Between Tengoku & Jigoku...
Chef, Full fledged Otaku, Full time Observer.....
Registered on 2008/02/02 00:26
perfume+sweat+compact space"eg train"= toxic nerve gas...
best biohazardous material...
(ID #180714) Posted on 2008/05/04 03:55
Deadly Lampshade in Reading, UK
Slacker
Registered on 2008/01/01 06:04
I agree that deodorant rules.

One thing that annoys me, however, is when people use large amounts after physical exertion without washing first. Just makes it smell even worse.
(ID #180654) Posted on 2008/05/04 01:23
jowy in philippines
vendor
Registered on 2008/01/23 08:25
Ah yes Rexona because "It won't let you down" >o<
(ID #180662) Posted on 2008/05/04 01:48
xanthe in Philippines
Philosopher in training
Registered on 2008/05/04 02:07
dewm. the old lady looks like mrs. doubtfire....or maybe it's just moi? (-~-)"""
(ID #180667) Posted on 2008/05/04 02:10
Akiba-Kid in California, USA
Online Shop
Registered on 2008/01/17 11:35
I always encountered bad smelling train filled with men when I was in Tokyo but that's to be expected riding the train to Akihabara ^^;  But it gets even worse riding the first train of the day heading to Comic Market and on way back home from Comic Market as well, the horror...  

Some men in USA are pretty bad, I've encountered many sweaty and smelly men in universities and some events such as Anime Expo & E3.  It's not about them using deodorant, people just don't take shower period -_-  I take shower regularly while in Japan and I begin to think if people who smells bad don't feel bad about how bad they smell or how sticky their body is.  Maybe your senses get dull when you are in such a state for so long and you don't care anymore?  I wouldn't want to find out by getting dirty though.
(ID #180676) Posted on 2008/05/04 02:27
knoke in Germany
Assembly-line worker
Registered on 2008/04/22 08:51
You are right about the senses of a personen getting dull. Years ago I was one of those smelly guys too. I avoided the shower whenever possible and please don't ask me about deodorant. Even the toothbrush was a mortal enemy of mine. Even my room smelled very funny (i don't know if the word funny really applies here. my mother never thought of it as 'funny'). I admit it, I was a very extreme case of a late bloomer.
But today? man I hate it when I don't shower in the morning aafter getting up. Sicne I tend to sweat alot and since I also hate the feeling of sweat on my body I shower quite often when it's hot outside, at least everytime after I want out. I'm all out of deodorant? Crap, that's an international disaster. My apartment smells? Time for extreme measures (extreme cleaning, that is. I mean REALLY extreme).

And if someone else smell on the Bus or on my workplace? Hell, I need a shotgun!
(ID #180761) Posted on 2008/05/04 06:11
Gibson in California
Student artist
Registered on 2007/05/28 03:30
I guess lots of men think sweaty salty smell is a new trend?
(ID #180678) Posted on 2008/05/04 02:42
Benjamin Takeyo in Lieu de la batille decisive
ひきこもり/Hikikomori. Suits my current state more than a 大学生/University Student. ^^
Registered on 2007/12/04 23:16
Have never used a deodorant in my life. I can remember only one or two times touching a deodorant, but not using. It was my sister's if I'm not mistaken, bit fuzzy the memory is, since it's a childhood memory. ^^
(ID #180692) Posted on 2008/05/04 03:10
Boris in USA
Interactive Media Design and Graphic Design
Registered on 2006/12/26 00:12
that old lady is kind of creepy hehehe but funny commercial. I love how random a lot of Japanese TV ads tent to be.
(ID #180696) Posted on 2008/05/04 03:26
Smithy in Neo-Venezia
Undine
Registered on 2008/05/20 21:19
Japanese males usually do not wear/use deodorant? That's terrible! That must really stink!

Over here (Belgium) nearly everyone uses deodorant, people who do not are considered as unhygienic (or are destitute).
(ID #180709) Posted on 2008/05/04 03:48
Bayli in Turku, Finland
IT Student
Registered on 2007/02/10 15:13
I found it kinda annoying too having to use those really small axe (amount of alcohol 48ml? couldn't find any other amount indication) bottles you can get from local kombini (check them out Danny, supermarkets too).. but at least there are some options for men too it seems. I'm currently in Kanagawa. 

Too bad, AXE seems to be the only option for men here. Would like to have the bigger bottle too..and the options are really scarce, because you can only get them from Axe specific rack and they're usually out of the smell you want your armpits to smell like..
(ID #180719) Posted on 2008/05/04 04:11
NPC in Rocklin, CA
Student
Registered on 2007/12/06 15:31
My body retains such little heat that I don't sweat very often in the first place... but sometimes even regardless I use deodorant. Just in case. But not very often...
(ID #180737) Posted on 2008/05/04 04:54
Jorge Hinojosa in México
Registered on 2007/12/07 11:11
All people smell, when I was in Tokyo I was lucky not to cathc a smelly crouded train, the day I had to enter a crouded train was raining so everyone was covered with plastic smelled like poliestirene armor.
(ID #180738) Posted on 2008/05/04 04:57
Jorge Hinojosa in México
Registered on 2007/12/07 11:11
sorry -> catch  ->Train
(ID #180740) Posted on 2008/05/04 05:00
knoke in Germany
Assembly-line worker
Registered on 2008/04/22 08:51
Oh gawd, that reminds me of my workplace. Back when I was working for Auto 5000 we had 2 guys on our assembly line who smelled particually bad. I mean no one there smelled like a bouquet of roses because of the work and the high temperatures in the hall but we tried to keep it at a minimum. But those guys? Hell! One of them was in another team on the line and we borrowed him because too many guys in our team were either sick or on vacation and I had to work with that guy for 3 full rounds. I always held my breath when he was in smelling-range. I think I would have pucked sooner or later if I didn't.
That other guy was in our team for a couple of days and the good thing was that my seat in the team room was far away from him. That guy smelled even worse so we always send him into the storage area. I mean he always wore the same pullover for work. And I mean like: every single, friggin day.
But now that I work for VW again (which means that I also work on another assembly line now) I don't have to bother with these guys anymore.
(ID #180753) Posted on 2008/05/04 05:57
Tanario in Esbjerg, Denmark
Study
Registered on 2007/11/03 03:50
I don't use deo unless going to a party, but i think it is really lack of shower that is the main problem, cause i shower every morning and after workouts and im pretty sure i don't smell even though i don't use deo.
(ID #180766) Posted on 2008/05/04 06:46
XSportSeeker in Brazil
Hikikomori
Registered on 2007/08/22 05:30
Phew!
I'm kinda glad I went to Japan while it was still very cold... :P

Anyways, here in Brazil it's pretty standard for men to use deodorants and perfume... but if you take buses or trains, chances are you are going to have to live with BO all over the place.

While there are many people who does take pretty good care related to hygiene, lots of people also don't...

And since there are some places in Brazil which are hot almost all year round...
(ID #180778) Posted on 2008/05/04 07:53
sammyb in Berkeley, CA, USA
Student
Registered on 2008/04/06 04:58
Here, people use TOO MUCH deodorant. Guys in high school and middle school (and plenty of college students too, I bet) pretty much bathe in AXE or TAG. Or, people spray the stuff in hallways or in public. It's pretty gross. Makes you get dizzy XD.
(ID #180801) Posted on 2008/05/04 08:36
TheMantello in Tampa, Florida
High School Student
Registered on 2008/03/31 05:46
Deodorant really common where I live. Most people I know have a can of Axe in their bags so they can spray themsleves down every once in a while. 

Regarding smelly people on the bus/train, people with too much Axe/Tag/Scented Deodorant produce the same effect...makes me want to puke. 
(ID #180824) Posted on 2008/05/04 08:59
CrazyAnimeTuga in Portugal
Student
Registered on 2007/01/03 02:12
Well it depends, there are men that use loads of deodorant and perfume and those that smell like they haven't taken a bath in a week. I like always wearing at least deodorant since I don't want the girls to fall unconscious by the way I smell XD (smell bad, they can fall if I smell nice XD)
(ID #180835) Posted on 2008/05/04 09:29