Air Space Rule

Here is something I know...

When you are trying to smell something and you get so close to the thing you are trying to smell that your nose actually physically touches the thing, it is unavoidable that a transfer of residue will occur between your nose and the thing.

Now here is something I recall...

Personally, I experienced this aspect of our reality most dramatically when I was five and I smelled the yellow lillies my mother brought in from the garden to set on the table. I turned from the flowers to face my mother who smiled and brushed at my cheek with her hand, but I darted away to find Rosie who smelled the flowers too with all the exuberance she could muster. We then stood at the mirror behind the door and, giggling, inspected our stamen-stained reflections.

And here is something I wonder about...

This evening I displayed my soaps at a (very fun and meaningful) public event and I noticed that nearly every person (bless them!) who smelled my soap did so by placing their nose directly onto the bar before inhaling deeply. (I am gagging a little as I write this.) Where are the people who learned to smell a new thing gingerly and with at least a modest amount of air space between the thing and the nose? The question is relevant to me as I work hard to keep my soaps clean and beautiful for my customers to enjoy. Now it really was a pleasure to engage with all the folks behind the noses, and I was certainly glad to see them enjoying Greenfield Soaps, but I must say it did make my skin crawl a little to see all these noses engaging in residue transfer right there before my very eyes! If you are just now realizing your own lack of proper etiquette when it comes to smelling soap, please know I appreciate you and I am smiling as I write this, but for goodness' sake, please be kind and keep the air space rule in mind!