You think skunks stink?

Of course, you're correct. Skunks do stink. They have a musk gland that produces the kind of odor that makes an intruder of experience move quickly away. It is that very musk that is the basis of perfumes because it has lasting power, but that's beside the point. People stink also. Why else is there such a market for deodorants?
Actually human body odor could be considered responsible for the exploration of the world. Doubtless, Marco Polo knew well how difficult it was for his European ladies to put on a pretty smell to receive his favors. The Native American and eastern cultures had knowledge of plants that made breathing in close proximity to family and friends more pleasant despite daily bathing. Water was scarce in the thickly populated areas of Europe and pleasant smelling plants even more so. Marco Polo, in his wanderings eastward, found a world of plants until then unknown to Europeans. When he brought back that knowledge, the race was on.
At first, because of course the world was flat, explorers went eastward on land to bring back to crowded European countries stuff that would make them smell good. I know, the myths tell you that England wanted to spice up their bland diet, but believe me, every English lady wanted to smell good for her gentleman and the men liked it that way. When some observers were certain that the world was round after all, the explorers took off westward to find the spice islands.
The rest is more well known in history. When I tell kids who turn up their noses at stroking the skunk pelt in our environmental center, I remind them that people stink also. They snicker because they are well aware of passing gas in the classroom. But they also know that mothers make them bathe often and change their underwear so the point is understood. Odor is endemic to all living things. My sinuses object to overuse of body and room deodorants. I appreciate their effort. I hope I succeed in counter offense.
Naomi Sherer