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It's not durian either.
Posted: Wed, 23 Sep 2009 4:11 pm
by reagent
I have been in Singapore for about 2 months now from the US. I have just 1 question that has been bugging me ever since.
What's that smell?
Seriously it is in the "background" all the time, just a hint. But sometimes a taxi will pull up and wham, there it is very strong.
Posted: Wed, 23 Sep 2009 4:26 pm
by AndyD
HaHa, I know what you mean (I think) – I like it, when you step off a plane in Hong Kong or Singapore – you get very distinct aroma… I had assumed it’s linked to humidity, climate, types of flowers, trees etc etc... I like it…
Unless you’re talking about a very distinct taxi after lunchtime smell – then that’s not the greatest…
Posted: Wed, 23 Sep 2009 4:53 pm
by durain
if it's not durian, then it's belachan!
Re: It's not durian either.
Posted: Wed, 23 Sep 2009 4:54 pm
by taxico
reagent wrote:What's that smell?
Seriously it is in the "background" all the time, just a hint.
But sometimes a taxi will pull up and wham, there it is very strong.
exhaust fumes? heh!
Re: It's not durian either.
Posted: Wed, 23 Sep 2009 5:19 pm
by jpatokal
reagent wrote:I have been in Singapore for about 2 months now from the US. I have just 1 question that has been bugging me ever since.
What's that smell?
Some candidates:
- Haze from burning forest in Indonesia/Malaysia? Hasn't been particularly bad this year, but definitely still some.
- Burning joss sticks? Hungry Ghost + Mid-Autumn Festival back to back means that every shrine in Singapore is burning hell money and incense.
Re: It's not durian either.
Posted: Wed, 23 Sep 2009 5:23 pm
by Saint
jpatokal wrote:reagent wrote:I have been in Singapore for about 2 months now from the US. I have just 1 question that has been bugging me ever since.
What's that smell?
Some candidates:
- Haze from burning forest in Indonesia/Malaysia? Hasn't been particularly bad this year, but definitely still some.
- Burning joss sticks? Hungry Ghost + Mid-Autumn Festival back to back means that every shrine in Singapore is burning hell money and incense.
Cab drivers taking a piss in their taxis!
Posted: Wed, 23 Sep 2009 5:34 pm
by JaanJ
Another one that makes me laugh out loud
this time, my colleague really wanted to know what's that laughter for
Man....
Posted: Wed, 23 Sep 2009 6:51 pm
by ozchick
Nah I've asked this question before too..it's that corn stuff cab drivers put under their front seat. It is a sickly smell and I can't recall what it is. The locals know...some kind of grain or herb often in a bunch... but it ain't nice. Haven't noticed it so much recently. Do we all get used to it after a while maybe?
And Saint- WHY would they do THAT?! Jeesh.....
Posted: Wed, 23 Sep 2009 6:55 pm
by Saint
ozchick wrote:
And Saint- WHY would they do THAT?! Jeesh.....
They piss in a bottle so it saves them from having to park and find a public toilet. Believe me, it happen here!
Posted: Wed, 23 Sep 2009 7:05 pm
by ozchick
Saint wrote:ozchick wrote:
And Saint- WHY would they do THAT?! Jeesh.....
They piss in a bottle so it saves them from having to park and find a public toilet. Believe me, it happen here!
OMG! That is SO gross!! Ooh yucky.....
Posted: Wed, 23 Sep 2009 7:44 pm
by taxico
ozchick wrote:it's that corn stuff cab drivers put under their front seat. It is a sickly smell and I can't recall what it is. The locals know...some kind of grain or herb often in a bunch... but it ain't nice. Haven't noticed it so much recently. Do we all get used to it after a while maybe?
And Saint- WHY would they do THAT?! Jeesh.....
if that's what i think it is... it's a smell inside the cab, right?
it might be 'pandan' leaves. i think cabbies use it as a natural deodorant. i don't know why. maybe coz it's cheap? it's sometimes visible on the rear dashboard.
and on longer cab rides, i would feel sick. that's when i cough a few times, then tell the cabbie i'd like to crank the window down or i'd feel bad if he caught what i have and fell ill.
(ordinarily cabbies don't like their windows rolled down as they have a belief that their a/c would suffer from irreparable damage - an excuse is necessary)
if it's a smell in the environment outside the cab, i don't know what it could be.
Posted: Wed, 23 Sep 2009 7:47 pm
by QRM
Dried sweat on PVC seats, its even worse in places that have fabric seats as the sweat tends to soak into the material.
Everyplace has a typical smell like AndyD says HK is very distinct and so is Tokyo its the fumes from the gas powered taxis.
Posted: Thu, 24 Sep 2009 1:59 am
by sundaymorningstaple
Pandan leaves also are a natural bug repellant (cockroaches in particular). They also have a distinct aroma as well as they dry.
Re: It's not durian either.
Posted: Thu, 24 Sep 2009 2:30 am
by joliefemme536
reagent wrote:I have been in Singapore for about 2 months now from the US. I have just 1 question that has been bugging me ever since.
What's that smell?
Seriously it is in the "background" all the time, just a hint. But sometimes a taxi will pull up and wham, there it is very strong.
We call that "funk" in the States! lol
Re: It's not durian either.
Posted: Thu, 24 Sep 2009 2:33 am
by joliefemme536
Saint wrote:jpatokal wrote:reagent wrote:I have been in Singapore for about 2 months now from the US. I have just 1 question that has been bugging me ever since.
What's that smell?
Some candidates:
- Haze from burning forest in Indonesia/Malaysia? Hasn't been particularly bad this year, but definitely still some.
- Burning joss sticks? Hungry Ghost + Mid-Autumn Festival back to back means that every shrine in Singapore is burning hell money and incense.
Cab drivers taking a piss in their taxis!
Ummm, no way!!!!!!!!
