In the early days of perfume use, back when personal hygiene standards were markedly different from what they are today, perfume was worn differently. Being able to smell a person’s perfume from 5 feet away was the better option, as compared to what would be the odor without it during eras of infrequent bathing. Times have changed.

Today, many of us work in enclosed spaces, with large numbers of people. It is becoming more common for people to suffer from respiratory ailments and extreme sensitivity to perfumes and other types of fragrance, such as air fresheners and the like. In some work spaces, the use of perfumes simply is not allowed.

That can feel a bit draconian to those of us who wouldn’t dream of leaving the house without a touch of scent. However, in most situations, we won’t face such restrictions, particularly if we make sure to keep in mind proper perfume etiquette.

We’ve all probably had the experience once, that of passing close to a person wearing perfume so heavily that we could actually taste it. It is not pleasant, especially if it is a scent that we do not find appealing. Perfume should be personal, and its scent should not be detectable beyond that certain amount of body space that most of us feel is an appropriate separation between us and the next person, roughly just under three feet.

It is important to remember, when putting on perfume – especially if using a sort of signature fragrance, one used every day – that you can become so accustomed to a particular perfume that you really don’t smell it to the same degree that someone else does. That can make it very easy to put on too much. If heading out to work, a touch or spritz of perfume to the pulse points is sufficient. The wrists, just behind the ears, at the dip between the collar bones, just over the heart and behind the knees are all good spots, especially when applied over a matching body lotion. Spraying from head to toe may be a bit much.

Using perfume rather than cologne may be a better choice for situations in which you will be around a lot of people in rather close quarters. The higher alcohol content of the cologne can be irritating to others with more sensitive respiratory systems. Furthermore, a perfume will mix better with your own body oils and create a scent that will hover closer to your body and require less frequent application.

Perfume is a beautiful thing, and it is natural for us to want to share it. However, it is necessary to remember that, like many beautiful things, the beauty of perfume is often a bit subjective. What suits one may not suit another, and may actually be quite displeasing. For those with health issues, it can go far beyond displeasing and result in the need for medical treatment. Perfume etiquette is an essential part of wearing fragrance.