There's a certain smell that makes me smile involuntarily—and then smile bigger because I know the reason I'm smiling is because I'm a lovesick fool and honestly—it's kinda nice.
His beard oil, mixed with sea air, sunscreen, and sand. Bake with a few hours of sun, add a splash of coconut.
It's incredibly specific, I know—but it's the smell of summer afternoons, date nights sharing pizza at 2 am on the beach, it's the smell of falling in love. It's the smell of years together, sunscreen on the kids, coconut conditioner on five heads of curls.
It's the smell of us and I grin like a fool every time I smell it.
Reddit user migue30 asked:
"What smell, when you smell it, instantly makes you happy?"
I'm not the only one out here smiling like the cat who caught the canary. Lots of us have happy smells.
We Love Carbs
"Bread that just come out of the oven"
- Appropriate-Elk3686
"I worked a couple summers in construction."
"One Saturday morning I was at a concrete pour on a site that was just down the street from an Aunt Millie’s bakery that was going full tilt. So the whole job site smelled like fresh bread."
"It was wonderful and also torturous."
- agsieg
"This smell reminds me of my grandfather."
"We used to have a restaurant and he made fresh bread all day every day. I would walk into the back room and just get this overwhelming sense of calm and warmth whenever there was bread on the table, or about to come out of the oven."
"I miss my grandfather."
- Adam_Ohh
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Lost Love
"Woodsmoke is a big one for me. A LOT of my childhood was spent around campfires with family."
- SirSilverscreen
"I used to unconditionally love the smell of a campfire."
"But I live in Oregon and that smell was ruined for me in 2020. Living in Salem the sky was shades of yellow, brown, orange and red, and when you tried to breathe outside it burned."
- SgtVinBOI
"Yup. California here; smelling smoke just makes me sad now, but it used to make me smile so big."
- lonabirdie
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Ladies Night
"Whenever me and my best friend are getting ready to go out, she always sprays this particular perfume on the both of us before we go. It’s always the same perfume, and we’ve used it ever since our first night out."
"So once in a while I’ll catch a whiff of this perfume in public, and I’ll immediately think of out nights out and all of the fun times we’ve had while wearing this perfume."
"She moved to a bigger city a couple months ago, so we don’t see each other as much anymore. That hasn’t affected anything though, thankfully ❤️"
- frankie-downhill
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Job Satisfaction
"I've been a baker for going on 20 to 25 years (approx.), and the smells never get old."
"Fresh baked bread, cheese and garlic pullaparts, cinnamon buns. 1/4 of my job satisfaction is just the atmosphere."
- voidinherent
"Oh mate. Working in subway and being on an open and when you take out the cookies that are literally still burning hot and the smell just fills the room… that smell used to make my mornings, not gonna lie."
- L0WEffort
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The Beans
"Coffee beans."
"Not coffee already made. It has to be coffee beans. When I walk down the aisle at the store, I stand there like a moron and take it all in."
- xex00
"My grocery store had a section where you can grind the beans yourself and they have novelty flavors like Carmel, hazelnut, pumpkin spice etc."
"I could spend hours sniffin'."
- bubalub-
"Oh gosh yes."
"My first job was at a cafe & I loved just breathing in all the bean smell as I got the shop ready. The beans (whole or ground) smell like 20x better than coffee when it's made."
- Firefly128
"There used to be a small family run coffee roasting business by my school."
"Every Wednesday they would roast their freshly imported coffee beans with their front door wide open, the whole street smelled of freshly roasted coffee."
"They retired a while ago and I regret not buying up the rest of their stock."
- WedgeTurn
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Hair
"A girl's freshly shampooed hair."
- wisedond0n
"I get it. My husband getting out of the shower is a happy smell too."
"It's the clean, crispness of his soap carried by the burst of humidity that pours out when the door opens."
- Summerie
"Guys can do this too!"
"I bought a coconut scent conditioner and it made my hair smell so great a guy smelled it and wanted to buy the same conditioner."
- Vagabond21
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A Love/Hate Thing
"Lavender."
"I don’t think I actually like it, though. My wife loves it & our youngest said it helped him sleep & relax."
"The smell reminds me of them, and of him when he was a baby. Just happier times even if they were sh*tty times."
"I hate the smell of lavender, but it’s just so nostalgic I can’t help but like it."
- FondleMyPlumsPlease
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Mechanic Smell
"Used engine oil, dad was a mechanic and when he came home I used to hug him and his overalls smelled like it."
"Since he’s passed away I smile every time I smell it."
- strong_tea_baggins
"Yep, that grease and gas smell of a garage does it for me too."
"Combine it with cheap bar soap, and instantly I see my grandpa in my mind."
- screamingcheese
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Grand-Smells
"My Grandpa's coat."
"I got it after he died, and it still smells like him. I keep it safe and pull it out every once in a while."
"I put my head in it and I'm a little kid again. It's been really helpful these last few months."
- Jalambi
"I have no idea what it was but the smell of my late grandma's basement."
"It certainly wasn't mold, I've smelled plenty of that."
"Even years after she's passed, it still smells like it down there. I have no idea what it is but it's over of the most nostalgic things for me."
- DirePanda072
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Mom In A Bottle
"I both love and hate the smell of Vanderbilt perfume."
"My mom wore it exclusively. I took her bottle when she passed away suddenly a couple years ago."
"When I was a teenager and first working, I asked her what she wanted for Christmas because I could finally get her something with my OWN money. She told me Vanderbilt perfume."
"So I did, but I was sure I had no idea what it smelled like. So when I got it home, I opened the box and took the cap off the bottle to sniff. I realized immediately that it smelled like 'Mom in a bottle.' "
"I had no idea she wore perfume. I thought that was just how she smelled."
- No_repeating_ever
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Bath & Body Works
"Japanese cherry bloom from Bath and Body Works."
"My grandma sprayed that sh*t EVERYWHERE in her home and it reminds me of her practically raising me as a child and all the fun summers me and like 20 other cousins spent with her."
- we-buy-ugly-people
cherry blossom love GIF
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Trash Bags?
"Bare with me... scented trash bags."
"Like, flower scented and stuff. Your probably thinking 'that's a nice smell but why exactly that?' "
"It all has to do with my favorite game of all time. Red dead redemption 2."
"I may be crazy but I SWEAR I had that smell the whole time from chapter 1-4. It's now almost a representation of that sh*t that was about to go down."
"Lots of death and sh*t happens and I don't know if the trash bag in that room was scented or what, but I remember that smell. Now the scented trash bag smell and the excitement of the game are associated."
- Difficult_Clerk_4074
GIF by Vulture.com
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Old People Smell
"You know that old people smell?"
"Whenever I smell that smell, I get hit with an instant wave of nostalgia. I would think back to when I used to go to my nana’s house and do fun things with her."
"Sadly though, she passed away 3 years ago so smelling that smell is like revisiting her and that’s why I love old people smell."
-
Old Woman Vintage GIF by Archives of Ontario | Archives publiques de l'Ontario
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Name That Tune
"There's a memory from 1968..."
"My dad owned several restaurants, including 3 drive-ins."
"I was taking a morning class at the high school where I was a rising senior, and an afternoon course at the local Junior College. This was to qualify for an advanced course I wanted in the next fall. I had like 30 minutes to make the transition, which was 10 miles apart."
"I arranged with the manager of Shawnee Drive-In #2 (there were 3) that every day at 12:05 he would have my lunch (2 hot dogs with mustard and onions, a chocolate shake and french fries) waiting on the counter, and my favorite song playing on the jukebox."
"I would pop in, wolf down my lunch by the time the song ended, and run out the door, hop in my 67 GTO and haul ass to the JC."
"To this day, If I hear that song on the radio, I can still smell those hot dogs. And if I make hot dogs with mustard and onions (by our old recipe), I can hear that song in my head."
"But I cannot NAME that song to save my life without that smell to reference."
- TnBluesman
Hot Dog GIF by Shaking Food GIFs
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Joyride
"Driving with the windows open along the pacific coast highway in Santa Cruz, CA always fills me with joy."
"The smell of the ocean & the trees is unbeatable!"
- soiledmyjeans
Ocean Driving GIF by Bermemes
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Happy Stink?
"I was in the middle of a two-week business trip, doing something incredibly stressful that I had been dreading for months."
"I was homesick for my husband and dogs and overall it was just a tough two weeks."
"I was staying in a downtown area and everyday I’d walk to the location. Downtowns are full of smells, mostly bad, and this one was no exception."
"As I was walking back to the hotel one day, I got a whiff of something that smelled bad but made me noticeably happier - my brain 100% associated this smell with happiness. It was such a weird feeling, but I finally placed the smell."
"It was wet dog 😂"
- yas_okay
shake it off border collie GIF
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Safe On The "Stoep"
"The smell of coffee mixed with cigarettes."
"When I was a kid, me and my sisters used to go visit my aunt and her husband on their farm for about a week during the first terms school holidays."
"Being farm people, there was no sleeping in ,so while we would sit in the kitchen and eat, my uncle would sit in the 'stoep' (patio) and drink strong coffee while having a smoke."
"That smell would drift somehow into the kitchen. As an adult, it just makes me feel warm and safe when I get whiffs of that smell every now and them."
- PheeaA
Home House GIF by Raw Fury
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A Florists Favorite
"To me, the smell of fresh cut Pine."
"It smells like Christmas to me. I'm a Florist and when you work in a shop, you will spend part of Nov. and the whole of Dec. working with it."
"It was literally the only thing I could smell in my Shop. It's on your clothes and shoes, all over your hands. You take it home with you every night. You eat it, breathe it."
"I love all the different varieties I got to work with and how the all felt different in my hands. Juniper, White Pine and Princess Pines are my favorites."
"The work is hard, but it's rewarding and that smell takes me right back to it."
- Ihavefluffycats
christmas tree GIF by Rachael Ray Show
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A United Family
"The smell of pizza."
"When I was a child my family was more united. I can still remember that we went every week to eat pizza together, I was about 4 or 5 years old."
"But just smelling the pizza brings back memories of better times..."
- MikeAngel65
I Love You Reaction GIF
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So... turns out we're all a bunch of sentimental saps.
Honestly, it's cute.
Group hug, everybody.
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Not all pet owners have the same relationship with their pets.
While anyone who decides to become a pet owner, or pet parent as some say, love their pets equally, some never ever let them leave their side.
Taking their pet with them to work, running errands, even on vacations.
Many pet parents even allow their pets to share their bed with them when going to sleep.
For others though, this is where a line is finally drawn.
Redditor Piggythelavasurfer was curious to hear whether pet owners allowed their pets to share their bed with them, as well as the reasons why they do/don't, leading them to ask:
"Do you let your pet sleep in your bed? Why/why not?"
The Tiny Issue Of Water...
"Absolutely not."
"I have fish."- Senior-Meal3649
Everyone Gets Lonely Eventually...
"I adopted an eleven year old cat the day before Halloween."
"She has mostly lived in my closet since I got her, and she hasn’t been too interested in coming out."
"Last night, she came out of my closet and jumped up on my bed, and crawled under my covers and curled up by my feet to sleep."
"I was so happy!"- YellowBeastJeep
The Comforting Reminder That You're Not Alone...
"I recently lost my Greyhound but I used to let him sleep on my bed with me."
"The company was nice and he was no trouble to have on my bed."- HoodedMenace3
Hungry Cookie GIF by De Graafschap Dierenartsen
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What Do You Mean Allow?
"I have no choice."
"She is a cat, cats do whatever they want."- Small_cat1412
"He lets me sleep in my bed."- Poorly-Drawn-Beagle
Wouldn't Have It Any Other Way
"I carry my old boy upstairs to bed every night."- worst_in_show
Hug GIF by The BarkPost
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Who Needs An Alarm Clock?
"I let my two cats sleep with me."
"They're so full of love and just want cuddles all the time."
"And so do I."
"We've all developed a lil routine."
"Get to bed, oldest sleeps on my feet to keep them warm, youngest lies in my arm while I lie on my side (she the little spoon), then when I snooze my alarm for work in the morning the youngest paws at my face and meeps loudly to wake me up."- GhostofaFlea_
Whose Bed Is It Anyway?
"Yes."
"They're also kind enough to let me squeeze into whatever space they've left for me."
"Although I do get a few dirty looks off them."- Therealkaylor
"I found this tiny kitten screaming her head off under a car."
"Would not come out."
"Got some food and some water in dishes."
"I stood by the tire so she couldn't see my feet."
"She got curious about the food and water and started gobbling it down."
"I thought she would bolt when I squatted down."
"She was too busy eating."
"I grabbed her by the nape of the neck and all four legs went straight out and she tried to scratch me to death."
"I got her in the door and tossed her toward the couch."
"She ricocheted off the couch as if she was a ping pong off a table and I lost sight of her."
"I put out food and water and a sandbox and did not see that kitten for three days."
"On the third day, I came home and she was on my bed pillow."
"I thought she would bolt when I came near, but she didn't."
"I wanted to sleep so I tried to scoot her little butt off my pillow."
"She would not go."
"I put my head down to sleep and that is the way it was from then on."
"She ran the roost."- Logical_Cherry_7588
sleepy kitten GIF
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Sleeping Is A Prerequisite...
"No, he's a cat and he cannot keep still during the night."
"He walks across the headboard, opens the closet doors, jumps into the windows and rustles the blinds, etc."
"If he would sleep he could stay, but alas, he's a ramblin' man."- Spong_Durnflungle
Saying No Just Isn't An Option...
"'Let'."
"Lol."
"It's a cat's world and I'm happy to be on her good side."- milaren
Felines Only!
"The cat does, the dog doesn't and the horse certainly does not either."- Xcrowzz
Angry Tom And Jerry GIF by Boomerang Official
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Is That My Hair On That Pillow?
"My dog is perfect."
"She comes up, cuddles til we start to fall asleep, then gets down to sleep on her bed so she doesn't get too hot."
"Jumps back up in the early morning for wake up cuddles."
"The hair everywhere is the only downside but she is so cozy, what can you do."- HoodieWinchester
It is easy to understand how some people are able to fall asleep more easily knowing their friend and protector is there, in bed, with them.
Though we can't blame others who don't want to run the risk of being scratched or bitten in the middle of the night either...
The old wives' tales.
They are the stories of legend.
I think we all need a big DEEP Google dive though.
Where did they originate?
WHO ARE THE OLD WIVES!
You don't hear about them as much anymore.
It's like science and logic are suddenly a thing.
But they sure are a good way to keep your kids and their behavior in line.
Redditor the_spring_goddess wanted to discuss the tall tales we've all been fed through life, so they asked:
"What is an old wives tale that people still believe?"
"Wait an hour to swim after eating."
What a crock!
So many summer hours wasted.
I want revenge for that one.
Say Nothing
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"An undercover cop has to tell you he's a cop if you ask him."
LonelyMail5115
"Pretty much most advice when it comes to cops are old wives tales. I’m not even a cop but most of the advice you hear is pretty off."
I_AM_AN_A**HOLE_AMA
Say Something
"That you have to wait 24 hours to report someone missing."
Severe_Airport1426
"I really think this one is important and should be the top regardless. As it’s a piece of advice that needs to be relearned and the only way to do that is through awareness."
crappycurtains
"This used to be true. I think they changed it after some guy named Brandon went missing back in the '80s or '70s. You used to have to wait 24 hours if the missing person was an adult because they had 'a right to be missing' and then everyone realized that was stupid and stopped doing it."
AlbinoShavedGorilla
Body Temps
"That drinking ice cold water after eating oily foods will solidify the oil and permanently remain in your body. I informed my coworker that if your body temperature ever reached that point, you’d have bigger problems than weight gain."
chriseo22
"Oh, I have a cousin who 100% believed this. One of those guys who believed every early 2000s internet rumor and old wives tale. One night I chugged a big glass of ice water after dinner and he started freaking out and saying my guts were gonna harden."
"I sarcastically told him to drive me to the hospital if that happened. Obviously, nothing happened and the next morning I said something like 'Thanks for being on standby in case my guts filled with hardened oil.' He just walked off muttering under his breath."
apocalypticradish
Arms Down
"When I was pregnant, I was told by young and old alike that I should NOT raise my arms above my head or exert myself in such a manner because it could cause cord strangulation to my unborn sons and daughters."
Fatmouse84
10 Years Actually
Unimpressed Uh Huh GIF by Brooklyn Nine-Nine
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"Chewing gum stays in your stomach for 7 years."
"I remember accidentally swallowing a piece of gum when I was a kid in like 1995 and just accepting my fate like welp, gonna have this in my stomach til high school I guess."
Gecko-911
I was so afraid to sallow my gum when I was young.
This tale is haunting.
High/Low
Hungry Debra Messing GIF by Will & Grace
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"You can tell the sex of the baby by how you carry."
LeastFormal9366
"Pregnancy certainly wins awards for the most old wives tales. So much absolute BS was repeated to us by everyone we talked to."
IllIIIlIllIlIIlIllI
The Cursed
"If you’re a woman and you wear opal jewelry but opal is not your birthstone (October), you’ll never be able to have children, or will be widowed, or just generally have bad luck or something. You can counteract this by having a diamond in the same piece of jewelry as the opal, though."
"I have a nice opal ring that my parents gave me years ago, and I’ve had other women give me this 'advice' unprompted more than once when I’ve worn it. I have absolutely no idea where it started, but I’m pretty sure this little chunk of silicate rock has no concept of what month I was born in, let alone of how my reproductive organs work."
SmoreOfBabylon
Stay In
"Going outside with wet hair will make you get pneumonia. Or an earache. Or maybe arthritis. Depends on which old wife you listen to."
"Jokes on them - I haven't blow-dried my hair in decades and usually leave the house with wet hair in the morning. On winter mornings, the tips of my hair get frozen. No ear infections or pneumonia or arthritis yet."
worldbound0514
Dreams and Facts
"You never make anyone up in your dreams you've seen everyone in your dreams somewhere else before and never make anyone up entirely."
"How would you possibly prove that to be true? My partner adamantly believes this and tells me this 'fact' whenever I have a dream about someone I've never met before."
mattshonestreddit
"My late wife used to tell me that before she met me she would have dreams of standing at an alter on her wedding day but could never see the guy's face, no matter how hard she tried. After meeting me the face was filled in with mine. Don't know if it's true but one of those things I like thinking of every now and then when I miss her."
Darthdemented
Cracked
Getting Ready Episode 2 GIF by The Office
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"Some people still believe cracking knuckles causes arthritis."
Choice-Grapefruit-44
"There's a doctor (Donald Unger) that cracked his knuckles a couple of times a day for 60 years, but only on one hand, just to prove it. Both hands remained exactly the same."
MacyTmcterry
I love my knuckles.
Do you have any tall tales to add to the list? Let us know in the comments below.