How can Farang/Gaijin truly know if their personal body odor might be objectionable to Thai People?

Dear Folks,

Have you ever read the books by Clavell?

Well, if you have, then you will recall that Clavel told us that the Japanese Pople found Farng Smells objectionable, back in the day.

Do you believe me?

Yes, it’s true.

And so, I also wonder if Farang guys have different smells.

And, just how do their GFs deal with these different smells.

Has your GF ever told you that she finds your smell objectionable?

This is NOT a JOKE POST, of course; this Topic is based on classical literature that I have read.

Maybe you eat too much sauerkraut, for example, and who knows?

But, I am sure that your GF, at least in the beginning, probably finds your smell, the smell of a Farang, to be just a bit offputting, at first, until she begins to love it.

Years ago, in China and Taiwan, my GFs insisted that they loved my smell.

They told me my smell was unique.

Sort of like.....UMAMI.....

So, has your GF ever told you that you smell different?

And, why does she prefer your smell, compared to other men?’

This is a REAL thing, of course.

The OLFACTORY EXPERIENCE is just one important part of Liking and Loving.

Best regards,

Gamma

NOTE: Did you think I was just DREAMING THIS UP from nowhere....???? NO-WAY, Folks.....

So, how, REALLY, do you smell to your Thai GF?

Would she ever tell you?

NO....!!!!!

Probably, and most likely, she would never tell you just how much you stink.

Instead, she will endure it, and wait for another Farang, in her future life....one who....

Smells sweeter.

Do you REALLY think that she enjoys your scent????

Edited May 7May 7 by GammaGlobulin

I've phoned 191 and given them your address. They asked me what's the emergency. I told them they will find out as soon as they show up. They said they are on their way.

9 minutes ago, Gary The Git said:

I've phoned 191 and given them your address. They asked me what's the emergency. I told them they will find out as soon as they show up. They said they are on their way.

Fine.

However, as has been written, I, like Blackthrone, can no longer tolerate the olfactory environment of my own countrymen.

So, don't send them to me, please.

Thank you.

It's largely genetic, along with a person's own lifestyle, as diet and what you drink has outcome on a person's odor. Some who drink a lot , especially beer, as the body metabolizes the alcohol it gives off an odor through sweat and breath.

A best friend had this all his life, as he took daily showers and used cologne, but it still came through.

I always heard that blacks had a certain smell, and it wasn't evident being around black friends. They say whites smell like bologna, and it seemed to be true after a workout which was amusing. A lot does have to do with that diet, as certain spices eaten a lot can have that person give off an odor from them, like garlic, onions, curry and cumin, which has some giving Italians and Indians that stereotype, but it's still personal.

I heard many times, especially from a certain friend who was prejudiced towards some, that Indians didn't wash much so smelled. Going into many convenience stores in Texas, which are owned mostly by them or middle easterners, it was evident in some but not all, so again it might be diet related or again just a personal thing, as I've passed by many and some smelled bad while others didn't, or like cologne or perfume.

Edited May 7May 7 by fredwiggy

13 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

It's largely genetic, along with a person's own lifestyle, as diet and what you drink has outcome on a person's odor. Some who drink a lot , especially beer, as the body metabolizes the alcohol it gives off an odor through sweat and breath.

A best friend had this all his life, as he took daily showers and used cologne, but it still came through.

I always heard that blacks had a certain smell, and it wasn't evident being around black friends. They say whites smell like bologna, and it seemed to be true after a workout which was amusing. A lot does have to do with that diet, as certain spices eaten a lot can have that person give off an odor from them, like garlic, onions, curry and cumin, which has some giving Italians and Indians that stereotype, but it's still personal.

I heard many times, especially from a certain friend who was prejudiced towards some, that Indians didn't wash much so smelled. Going into many convenience stores in Texas, which are owned mostly by them or middle easterners, it was evident in some but not all, so again it might be diet related or again just a personal thing, as I've passed by many and some smelled bad while others didn't, or like cologne or perfume.

Diet and how hairy you are. Diet affects the taste of vagina as well.

Europeans tend to stink, maybe with the exception of Finns.

3 hours ago, GammaGlobulin said:

Blackthrone

Sorry, but this was a typo...obviously.

I just hope my typo will not get this Topic ....off track.....too much....

26 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

Europeans tend to stink, maybe with the exception of Finns.

Did you mention the Finns?

GO, Linus!!!!!

Edited May 7May 7 by GammaGlobulin

Sometimes I see posts that goes something like this

I'm really fat and I never shave it and I don't shower but I have money

The girls like money and they take my money and I do them bwahahahaha

Even if you're kind of a mid looking old man this lot would do far far better cleaned up. They often don't know because they're not cleaned up long enough to really make that judgment which is sad

When I'm out and about I catch the eye of women far younger on not rare occasions. When I'm in the pub even the pub girls will compliment me on my clothes, skin/age, smell good. I have a reputation of never buying lady drinks and yet all the pub girlies well come chat me up and see how I'm doing. Mind you they're working and they don't need to do that.

If you think that money buys all companionship you're very wrong. I've seen many many foreigners rejected by thermae girlies and when they walk away their eyes roll and they give some sort of vomit look to the girly next to them.

If you want to up your game clean yourself up. Can't stress it enough. If you're an upcountry guy and you're looking good I would imagine you're going to become a regular chick magnet

Edited May 8May 8 by StarOfLight

8 hours ago, GammaGlobulin said:

Well, if you have, then you will recall that Clavel told us that the Japanese Pople found Farng Smells objectionable, back in the day.

You mention Japan serveral times in your post.

They are importing even more people from Bangladesh.

They are going to love their smell.

https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/japan-recruit-100000-bangladeshi-workers-over-next-5-years-1154601

https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2026-05-07/japan-be-culturally-enriched-300000-bangladeshi-migrants

43 minutes ago, FlorC said:

You mention Japan serveral times in your post.

They are importing even more people from Bangladesh.

They are going to love their smell.

https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/japan-recruit-100000-bangladeshi-workers-over-next-5-years-1154601

https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2026-05-07/japan-be-culturally-enriched-300000-bangladeshi-migrants

As you probably know,

Around the year 2000, or before, Japan began opening its doors to Chinese students, who came in droves, to study at Japanese schools.

I recall this quite well.

The Chinese students were filling up many of the seats at Japanese schools.

So, now you say it is the guys from Bangladesh who are taking the place of the Chinese?

How will THAT work, anyway?

Totally different culture....!!!!

I have yet to see some dude from Bangladesh who is interested in learning about the East Asian Tea Ceremony....

I think that guys from Bangladesh are more interested in buying chocolate and other snacks to take home to their families in Bangladesh.

They will NEVER be able to assimilate in Japan.

Better they head to NYC, and drive Ubers, ....IMHO.....

3 hours ago, Yagoda said:

Europeans tend to stink, maybe with the exception of Finns.

Been on the BTS with an Italian and a Frenchman about half way up the car from me. The stench was unbearable. Germans smell rancid because they don't wash their clothes before wearing them several times and they never dry clean their suits.

What really astonishes me is that many people with significant body odor are willing to going out into public, without using a strong deodorant. That seems bizarre and insular, at best.

I wish I had a baht for every time I've heard "men farang" here in Thailand.

Races that you don't particularly like always seem to smell bad.

When one of your own stinks it's usually explained away by diet or bad personal habits.

49 minutes ago, MisterTee said:

I wish I had a baht for every time I've heard "men farang" here in Thailand.

You would be a very poor man. In Thai they say 'farang men' rather than 'men farang.'

2 hours ago, GammaGlobulin said:

As you probably know,

Around the year 2000, or before, Japan began opening its doors to Chinese students, who came in droves, to study at Japanese schools.

I recall this quite well.

The Chinese students were filling up many of the seats at Japanese schools.

So, now you say it is the guys from Bangladesh who are taking the place of the Chinese?

How will THAT work, anyway?

Totally different culture....!!!!

I have yet to see some dude from Bangladesh who is interested in learning about the East Asian Tea Ceremony....

I think that guys from Bangladesh are more interested in buying chocolate and other snacks to take home to their families in Bangladesh.

They will NEVER be able to assimilate in Japan.

Better they head to NYC, and drive Ubers, ....IMHO.....

These imports are "highly skilled " workers apparently.

It does not say if they bring their families (children) with them.

That might come later like in europe.

I asked Lumo:

How much does the ABCC11 gene mutation contribute to body odour and how much to the Eastern perception that Westerners smell?

Lumo replied:

The ABCC11 gene mutation is the primary biological determinant of whether an individual produces the specific type of sweat that leads to strong body odor (bromhidrosis). Its contribution to the "Eastern perception that Westerners smell" is nearly total, acting as the fundamental biological reason behind the stereotype, though cultural factors amplify the perception.

Here is a breakdown of the contribution levels:

1. Contribution to Body Odor Production: ~95–100%

Scientific consensus indicates that the ABCC11 gene is the single most significant factor determining axillary (underarm) odor intensity.

• The Mechanism: The gene codes for a transporter protein that moves organic compounds (fatty acids and steroids) into the apocrine sweat.

  • Non-Mutated (Dominant Allele): The transporter works. Apocrine sweat contains high levels of these compounds. Skin bacteria (Corynebacterium) break them down into volatile sulfur compounds and short-chain fatty acids, creating the pungent odor associated with "body smell."

  • Mutated (Recessive Allele - Common in East Asia): The transporter is defective. The sweat lacks these specific organic compounds. Even if bacteria are present, they have nothing "smelly" to metabolize. The result is virtually odorless sweat.

• Other Factors: While diet (garlic, spices, red meat), hygiene habits, and other genes play minor roles, they are negligible compared to the presence or absence of the ABCC11 substrate. Without the ABCC11 substrate, even a diet heavy in garlic will not produce the characteristic "Western" underarm odor.

Conclusion: If you have the functional ABCC11 gene (common in the West), you will produce odor-producing sweat. If you have the mutation (common in East Asia), you will not, regardless of other factors.

2. Contribution to the "Westerners Smell" Perception: ~80–90%

The perception held by many East Asians that "Westerners smell" is almost entirely rooted in this genetic reality, but it is amplified by cultural context.

• The Biological Baseline:

  • In East Asia (China, Korea, Japan), 80–95% of the population carries the mutation. For them, strong body odor is a rare, pathological, or "foreign" phenomenon.

  • In Europe and Africa, ~98–100% of the population has the functional gene. Strong body odor is the biological norm.

  • The Clash: When a person from a population where 95% are odor-free encounters a population where 99% produce odor, the contrast is stark. To an East Asian observer, the average Westerner smells "strong" simply because they are encountering a biological baseline that is alien to their own experience.

• Cultural Amplification (The Remaining 10–20%):

  • Deodorant Culture: Because the mutation is so prevalent in East Asia, the use of deodorant and antiperspirant is not a daily necessity for the vast majority. In the West, deodorant is a mandatory daily hygiene product.

  • Perception of "Normal": An East Asian person might perceive a Westerner's natural scent as "dirty" or "unhygienic" because, in their cultural framework, everyone should smell neutral. Conversely, a Westerner might perceive an East Asian person's lack of scent as "clean" or "neutral," unaware that the East Asian person is biologically incapable of smelling "bad" in the same way.

  • Dietary Differences: While diet plays a smaller role, Western diets (higher in red meat and dairy) can slightly alter the composition of the odor, potentially making it smell "heavier" or "meatier" compared to the subtle scents (if any) produced by East Asians. However, without the ABCC11 gene, diet alone rarely creates the intense odor associated with the stereotype.

Summary

• Biological Cause: The ABCC11 mutation accounts for almost all of the difference in odor production between the two groups. It is the "on/off switch" for the specific chemicals that cause the smell.

• Perceptual Cause: The perception that "Westerners smell" is a direct result of this genetic divide. It is a case of majority vs. majority: The East Asian majority (odor-free) perceives the Western majority (odor-producing) as having a distinct, often overwhelming, scent.

Without the ABCC11 gene difference, the stereotype likely wouldn't exist, or it would be a much weaker observation based solely on minor dietary or hygiene variations. The gene creates a binary biological reality that makes the cultural observation so pronounced.

The bigger the wad of cash in someone’s pocket, the more convinced they become that they somehow smell superior to everyone carrying less.

5 hours ago, Yagoda said:

Europeans tend to stink, maybe with the exception of Finns.

So does Trump 🤡 ,his smell is offensive,you can smell him ,before

he comes into view...

regards worgeordie

People who drink booze in excess, or consume drugs, have far to much pork or read meat in their diets, do tend to have somewhat of a stench.

I do know that after a night on the beer, next morning my pee smells like Sugar Puffs breakfast cereal.

2 hours ago, ColeBOzbourne said:

You would be a very poor man. In Thai they say 'farang men' rather than 'men farang.'

It's a question of semantics, Cole.

Both are correct in their proper places.

Incidentally, coming from someone whose middle name is "BO" made a reply obligatory.

Edited May 8May 8 by MisterTee

Do Farang smell different?: Can their GFs stand the smell?

Only when the OP stops taking showers.

23 minutes ago, Keeps said:

I do know that after a night on the beer, next morning my pee smells like Sugar Puffs breakfast cereal.

Hummm. Diabetes 'eh?

3 minutes ago, connda said:

Hummm. Diabetes 'eh?

No, too much beer the previous night.

Any other useless insights Dr?

9 minutes ago, Keeps said:

No, too much beer the previous night.

Any other useless insights Dr?

east asia countries like china, korea, japan, has a large percentage that does not have what it takes to create armpit odour.

back in the day of shogun, nobody have deodorant either

6 minutes ago, mordothailand said:

east asia countries like china, korea, japan, has a large percentage that does not have what it takes to create armpit odour.

back in the day of shogun, nobody have deodorant either

See above :-) https://aseannow.com/topic/1394011-do-farang-smell-different-can-their-gfs-stand-the-smell/#findComment-20497661

Do Farang smell different?: Can their GFs stand the smell?

Part of the problem is Western society's use of toilet paper instead of bum-gun bidets. Nothing like wiping with a few sheet of tissue, then smearing the poop all over your butt-cheeks, and then believing that you don't actually smell like 💩

My pits really stink when I’m focused or active. I have at least three showers a day. TMI, I think my ballsweat stinks, too.

Wife of 35 years has never complained. She says Thais smell of rice & fishsauce and farang smell like butter & milk. Vegetarian (not vegan) must affect how I smell, too.

Thais on mocy, BTS aso smell mildewy because their clothes never get fully dry.

Chinese men, yes, have a yeasty odor.

I have lots of Indian friends and, yes, they smell different, not offensive, but different.

I once drove a Nigerian student across Canada as a rideshare. To my nose, well, I was glad to drop him off in Toronto while I continued to Montréal…with the windows open! I’ve always felt kinda racist about it.

I use san som (alum) for deodorant when I’m not at home. You have to put it on after showering. Works great.