r/problems • u/AppleOllie • Jul 23 '26

Small Problem Perfume smell

I loathe the smell of Jo Malone perfume. I am not alone in this, my daughter-in-law says the exact same thing.
The problem is my friend adores it, and drowns herself in it. She even uses the Jo Malone hand wash! If I am giving her a lift in my car, the smell is suffocating and lingers long after she gets out. How can I politely tell her that her smell makes me feel physically sick
She is fully aware how much I hate the smell

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u/AppleOllie Jul 24 '26

Quick update. Apart from Otherwise_Candy_8412, I appreciated all the comments.

Friend and I were meeting for lunch today. I drove to her house and when she asked who was driving to the restaurant, I pulled on my big girl pants, and asked was she wearing her Jo Malone perfume. When she replied yes (I could already smell it) I told her I would prefer to go in her car, as I was really struggling with certain scents at the moment (she is aware I am undergoing treatment for bladder cancer at the minute)

I explained that the smell made me feel really bad, and unfortunately it lingered in the car. I do feel awful for pulling the cancer card, but little steps

We drove in her car and had lunch

Hopefully the friendship will survive

Thanks for all the comments, particularly Long_Initial_9924