A mere whiff of something can trigger a memory from childhood. Among my favorites are the ocean, lilacs in June, freshly cut clover, a newly opened package of coffee, bedsheets dried in the sunshine and, believe it or not, a stable of horses. It can tell you that milk is sour or meat has gone bad. It can also give comfort, like the fragrance of a warm wet wash cloth. Or tell you that the neighbors have fired up their barbecue for dinner.
Smells play a role in the world of work and business.
A real estate agent says the scent of baking bread can help sell a house. The smell of a printshop, potato storage or furniture factory instantly conjures up happy work experiences from my past. Scientists have found a link between scents and workplace performance. Lavender and jasmine relax employees and cut stress. Lemon, meanwhile, stimulates.