What? You didn't know?

Given the comments on the previous post about the picture of the armpit sniffers, it is clear to me that many of you weren't aware of the great career opportunities in sniffology. Just think, you too could have a business card with your title listed as Armpit Sniffer.

A job as an armpit sniffer entails sniffing armpits of people of all sizes, who stand in a line with their arms in the air. Generally, the work is as a tester for deodorant manufacturer. After all, the cosmetic companies employ hundreds of armpit sniffers to make sure that we all smell good at all times. The power of antiperspirants and deodorants is still tested by sniffing, using human noses, in hot rooms. Sniffers generally sniff about 60 armpits an hour, or close to 500 in a busy day. Each sniff of an offensive odor is recorded on a scale of 1 to 10.

There is an established protocol for sniffology, including the requirement that the sniffers sense of smell should not be dulled by cigarettes or coffee or other odors. The people on whom the deodorant or antiperspirant is tested can be all men, all women, or mixed. Even the fact that humans are one of the sweatiest species on the planet does not deter the intrepid sniffologist (in spite of the fact that many people find the odor and job completely intolerable).

Some tidbits of odd information about/from sniffological studies and professional sniffers:

• Studies using women sniffers on male subjects have determined that women are more drawn to the odor of men who are genetically dissimilar to them.
• Professional sniffers are trained to understand everything about the human body and the role of the sweat glands.
• When asked how it feels to be an armpit sniffer,  a professional replied "if you've sniffed one, you've sniffed them all."

So the next time you think you hate your job, remember that it could be worse!