"Issues! Party of One?"

I have a confession to make.
I hope someone will tell me I'm not a total freak, but honestly - I'm not expecting it... so don't feel bad if you're not the one to relieve me of this burden.

Here goes:

I can not stand the smell of clothes dryers.

My own laundry is fine. I don't mind, and even look forward to, smelling my laundry fresh out of the dryer. But I realized the other day that I have a very real aversion to smelling other people's dryers running.

Hubby and I were on the motorcycle last weekend, taking a nice ride up into the VA mountains...lovely day. Then I noticed that whenever we passed a house and I could smell that fabric softener smell that wafts from a running clothes dryer - I would tense up, exhale quickly, and hold my breath until we got far enough down the road that I knew the smell would be gone. (feel free to stop here & skip right to the comment form to post "Yep, you're a freak!")

It wasn't just once, but I noticed that I did this every single time. Then I remembered the apartment above the office next door to mine. I do the same, if they are running their dryer, when I come in or leave work.

Well, since I had nothing but 7 hours on the back of a motorcycle to ponder the Bigger Things In Life - this was it.

Why does the smell of other people's CLEAN laundry repulse me so? To the point that I literally blow the smell back out and HOLD MY BREATH?!

I don't mind my family's laundry and the resulting scent from the dryer vent. But there's something about a stranger's that just totally squicks me out! Like somehow ... their germs are being carried through the dryer vent, clinging to the scent of their fabric softener, and finding their nasty little ways right up into my nasal cavity. Yes, I realize how completely bizarre this sounds, trust me (strange phobias-to-laugh-at are just a few of the services I offer). Then I thought, that can't be all there is to it. That's just silly, right?

Then I had quite a revelation - it's too intimate.

Which also explains why I am not a "honey/sweetie/darlin'" kind of person. You know the type - those who call everybody "honey/sweetie/darlin'". They are usually found in small diners where I come from. I often wish I was one of those people, they are so friendly! I'm not a huggy person, either, at least until I get to know you pretty well. I don't tend to touch people when I speak to them - holding their hand in mine or touching their arm for effect. I'm the one that doesn't really speak to strangers unless spoken to - Why is that? Fear of germs? Fear of rejection? Fear of intimacy - even at it's smallest form - or closeness with someone I just met?

So - the dryer vent situation has opened up a whole new point to ponder for me.

Who knew Downy was capable of spurring such deep thoughts?!

Hmm, I wonder if I could land a spot on that new show "Obsessed", during which they would force me to "face my fear" by standing outside people's houses with my nose under their dryer vent... Ha!