I’m very sensitive to smells. I’ve found that women I ask not to wear perfume around me seem to understand this and don’t take it too personally.
In truth, women seem pretty sensitive about smells. At work, I have had only one client who was a smell problem. He was a “man” and he was wearing so much cologne I nearly gagged. You think it’s hard being a woman asking a man to stop wearing cologne—try being a man!
I really don’t get it. I don’t understand who thinks cologne smells good. It gives me headaches. Which is something I will say if it comes down to it. But I’ve never really liked a perfume wearing woman, so it’s never been an issue.
My wife used to like to burn incense, but she stopped that for me, too. It makes me wonder if there are “smellers” the same as there are “tasters,” people with more tastbuds per square inch than other people. Well, whether or not there are, you could tell him that you think you are a “Smeller” and that smells affect you more powerfully than most people, and you would very much appreciate it if he could leave the cologne at home when he sees you.
Here’s another thing. If he likes you, it shouldn’t be a problem. If it is a problem, then do you really like him that much? Can you really imagine being in a relationship with someone you can’t talk to about personal habits?