Calgary Stamp Of Disapproval, Over Perfume
A Calgary bus driver found the scent of a woman to be anything but irresistible. For the second time in four days, Natalie Kuhn was ordered off a city bus because of her perfume, Very Irresistible, by Givenchy. Kuhn said the bus driver actually pulled over and opened all the windows. She then got into a verbal confrontation with the driver and a short time later, a Transit employee arrived to take her to her destination. Calgary Transit spokesman Tony McCallum says the city is investigating the two incidents.
13 comments:
This is along the lines where certain employers ask their employees to wear no perfume or cologne that could be offensive to others. I've worked for two separate places that had this policy.
Hi Jenera,
I don't think I've ever heard of that happening here in Australia.
David
Hi David,
At the Y where I go to, there is a sign that says something along the lines like "your perfume/scent may be offensive to others, and we encourage you to avoid using it here.." I was quite surprised by this, thought it odd. I was reminded of it when I read your post...
cheers,
Cecilia
Hi Cecilia,
That's really surprising. I've never seen any signage like that before.
I'd be interested to know if anyone else has encountered this ...
Take care
David
I, like many, have asthma and allergies. Some perfumes and strong scents cause me some very serious problems such as wheezing, chest tightening and pain, sneezing, coughing, and headaches. It's one thing to be a passenger on a bus for half an hour, it's a totally different thing when you're the driver, forced to sit in a confined area for the duration of your work day. A bus can carry hundreds of people in a day, and if you get even 10% of them wearing heavy scents, that can cause life threatening issues for asthmatics like myself.
Hi Farrah,
Yes, I see your point and you've helped me understand the basis for the regulation.
Thanks for dropping by and leaving a comment. I can see what you mean about the situation faced by drivers.
Many thanks. Hope to see you here again.
Cheers
David
Hi David.
I stumbled upon your blog while looking for more information about this passenger.
The passenger and I live in the same city, and there is a current labour dispute going on between the city and transit union over wage increases for the next three years or so.
Although I do believe that has a bit to do with the situation, and possibly why the drivers acted the way they did. The first driver mentioned to her that her scent affected his ability to focus, which sounds like a safety issue.
I don't take that specific route with her, so I cannot comment on how strong her perfume is, but from the description of it on the Givenchy website, it's basicly the scent of 5 different roses and a spice. Sounds pretty strong, eh?
Also, in Alberta (the province where the city of located), the air is quite dry and the population seems to have a higher incidence of breathing related problems.
I'm slightly sensitive to fragrances, but I realize people put them on because they like it. So although it does bother me, I rarely say anything about it. However, the attitude this woman takes makes me feel like I should say something about how offensive the odours are. She's been comparing herself to Rosa Parks and she wants a public apology.
Although I feel the transit drivers could have possibly handled it better (it's pretty much one sided with her telling the story, and she seemed pretty adament about wearing two sprays of perfume), she should also take other people into consideration since she is taking public transit. Everyone should have the right for an enjoyable and safe commute.
Hi Amy,
I enjoyed your comment. Very level-headed point of view and a unbised presentation of facts.
I'm sure the Transit authorities deserve to state their point of view, but I haven;t seen that being done yet, so maybe their management team or their PR department needs to get on the case.
I don't think the woman can compare herself with Rosa Parks, though!
To that end, your closing comment is very apt.
Thanksfor dropping by and I hope you will be back.
Cheers
David
I know a bus driver in the city .When it comes to scent , you couldn't imagine what they go through...from perfumes which could easily choke a horse ,drunks , to the smell of urine from people who could not help it.
In this case the woman needs somebody to tell her to have some consideration to others .Not only has she no consideration to others she is also very vindictive and self-centered that she has made all possible efforts to damage the drivers' career by phoning every news media , the transit office and , the Mayors office . The only thing she is not doing is look at herself .
" I'm sure the Transit authorities deserve to state their point of view, but I haven;t seen that being done yet, so maybe their management team or their PR department needs to get on the case." They wouldn't say anything because it is a public service .They will bend backwards to appease the public.
Ciao
Hi Anonymous,
I see your point. Yours is a very succinct explanation and I guess the Transit company has its priorities weighted towards providing a city service and not towards defending itself in this case.
I live in a city where public transport is a big issue - so I can see where you're coming from.
Nice point of view and thanks for dropping by.
Cheers
David
As one writer stated, of course the city won't say too much about it other than the driver had a health concern with her perfume. The bus driver did try to politely tell her the day before kicking her off that the perfume was exessive and asked her not to wear so much.
The rumours are that the bus driver had a reaction to her perfume. She allegedly sprayed herself either just before boarding the bus or shortly thereafter. Allegedly she became defensive and confrontational in each instance. The only people that really know are the ones that were present. We only know HER side of the story.
Does any of this have anything to do with the Work to Rule Campaign? I highly doubt it. What the transit drivers are doing is refusing to work any overtime. So how people think that perfume issues and Work to Rule go together is beyond my understanding.
I've been on buses where people are wearing excessive perfume, and sometimes they spray it when they are riding the bus. It's very overpowering, and as I stated in the comments I posted previously about being asthmatic and allergic, this causes some very serious problems for some people.
Yes, we have the right to wear our favorite perfumes. We also have every right to breathe clean air without the fear of an ambulance trip to the hospital. I think the right to life overrides the other issue at hand.
Cheers,
Farrah
Hi Farrah,
Thanks for dropping by and thank you too for taking the trouble to leave a comment.
I was really interested in your perspective. This news item has generated a lot of reader interest and I think I've learned a lot more about the various aspects of the case, thanks to all of you who have commented.
It would be great if we (and the canadian media) had access to the viewpoints of those who were actually present when it happened.
If you happen to see any more updates, do let me know by leaving a comment.
Once again, thank you
David
Hi David,
I recently went into a clinic where the doctor was asking me about my asthma, and if perfumes are bothersome to me. Even though it was a ligitimate question, he grinned sheepishly as I chuckled, and he apologized for the question considering that I am a transit operator in Calgary.
The other day I had a young lady board the bus wearing a coconut scent that gave me a headache, made my eyes water and my stomach turn. Even though it was cold, I opened my window and turned on the vents at the front to keep the scent at bay. It was still strong even though she sat near the back, and unfortunately, she was on for 45 minutes. I dealt with it the best I could to avoid another big stink.
Anyone want my 20-year-old bottle of Armani????
Cheers,
Farrah
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