[Vikas]

I am Indian (living in the United States for several years) and have thought about this problem quite a bit and discussed it with fellow Indians as well as Americans. The problem is that in India people usually do not use deodorant, and the odor of sweat is considered quite ‘normal’ (as indeed it is in several European nations as well). Often when Indians come here, it takes them a while to realize that the odor of sweat is considered offensive here and that they should wear deodorant. Many Indians are very proud of their daily hygiene, and hence think that deodorant is something that unclean people use to cover up their odors. But the human body sweats enough in a day to make anyone smell a little. If this sweat stays on the shirt ,etc., for a while, the cumulative effect is quite bad. I would suggest that any well-meaning Americans tell their Indian colleagues/friends to use deodorant if they are not. I don’t think the Indians would take it the wrong way, and would actually be quite thankful.

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Name : Vikas, Race : Asian, City : Mountain View, State : CA, Country : India, 

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