I am a sucker for good scents.
I’ve followed a stranger around in a mall just because they smelt good.
I’ll tell you a secret: to be considered good in my books, you need only have a good body fragrance.
You do not even need to be a good person (though you must be a good person to stay in the good books).
And I’m well aware of the fact that I’m not the only one on this table.
There are a lot of men who are suckers for good scents, too.
Many of us have experienced the time when we were on our own and minding our own business when someone leans in and casually says, “You smell good.”
You won’t be able to relate if you don’t invest in good body hygiene and fragrances.
And it really does not matter whether your cologne is complimenting you or your hair moisturizer; it always feels good to be complimented on our scents.
I’m a woman, and if a fellow woman compliments my scent, I can tell she’s either just complimenting me or seeking recommendations.
But if a man compliments my scent, my mind travels far.
And I know that other women can relate to this.
Is this just a simple compliment, or is there something more behind it?
Well, it could be a simple compliment, and there could be more to it.
What does it mean when a man compliments your scent?
What does it mean when a man tells a woman she smells good?
What Does It Mean When a Man Tells a Woman She Smells Good? 6 Possible Explanations
1. A Simple Compliment
Let’s start with the basics.
There are tons of reasons why a man would tell a woman that she smells nice, but I think that it is basically a compliment.
Even when there are other motives behind it, it is still a compliment.
But then, it can be a simple compliment without any hidden motives.
There are people who just love a good scent and cannot admire it in silence.
So if they pass by you and you smell good, they’ll definitely express their admiration.
Before you begin to overanalyze the compliment, let’s first assume that this is just a man who appreciates good scents and feels compelled to compliment yours.
2. A Subtle Flirtation
Now that we’ve laid the foundation that a man telling a woman that she smells nice can be a compliment, we should move on to accept the fact that he may be hiding behind the compliment to flirt with you.
We can act oblivious to these things, but we know it.
When a man tells a woman she smells good, pay attention to the setting and his tone.
If he says this in an intimate setting or with a playful tone, it does feel like flirting to me.
You should also pay attention to his body language and gestures, his prolonged eye contact, and the rest.
Do you know how scent is one of the most powerful senses connected to memory and attraction?
This is why relationship coaches usually advise people to avoid perfume or any other scents related to someone they are trying to forget.
So yes, scents (especially good ones) do trigger feelings of attraction.
3. A Cue for Closeness
Flirting is one thing; getting closer to you is another.
There are a few instances where you can perceive someone’s scent from across the room, but most of the time, you have to be near them to perceive them.
When someone compliments your scent, there’s something that happens where you subconsciously let them come closer to you so they can perceive it even better.
Some men have observed this behavior, so they come to you and compliment your scent just because they want access to be closer to you.
And it’s even better if there’s already something going on between you two.
It sets the tone for a deeper form of intimacy and closeness.
The fact that he notices your perfume also shows that he is paying attention to you.
4. A Memory Trigger
I’d spoken briefly about this earlier.
Scent is deeply tied to memory.
I remember someone narrating the story of how they use scents to study.
So when they’re preparing for exams, they keep a particular scent by the side.
Then, they carry the same scent along when going in for the examination, and as they inhale the scent, they are able to remember the things they read.
So, away from attraction, a man may compliment your scent as it reminds him of something or someone.
And if he is complimenting it, good guess it reminds him of something good.
So, because he is not complimenting your scents because he is attracted to you does not make it any less meaningful.
If your scent reminds him of something good, chances are it may provoke something good because, along with memory, scents also provoke powerful emotions.
5. A Cultural or Personal Belief
In some cultures, scent is more than a pleasant sensory experience—it can have spiritual or personal significance.
For example, some traditions associate certain scents with purity, love, or even luck.
Some traditionalists even use scents to curate herbs for attraction, riches, good luck, protection, etc.
If the man you’re talking to comes from a culture where scent holds symbolic meaning, his compliment might reflect those beliefs.
Alternatively, he might have personal yet traditional reasons for being particularly drawn to certain fragrances.
You know, something that has to do with his roots.
For instance, his mother or grandmother always wore a particular perfume, and now he associates that scent with fond memories.
6. The Importance of Self-Presentation
This is why it is important for women to carry themselves with beauty and grace.
This world is already bombarded with unpleasant scents everywhere.
People go out every day—especially in the city—and inhale all sorts of unpleasant scents.
From the smell of environmental pollution to the body odor of people who just have a problem with having a proper bath and wearing deodorant.
When you choose to smell good, you are not only doing yourself good, you are also being considerate of other people and of the society.
Someone only needs to be within close proximity of you to tell that you practice good hygiene and self-care.
It promotes your self-presentation and people’s idea of you.
Having a good body fragrance is not gender specific.
As a woman, you cannot take your self-care and hygiene lightly, and for several reasons.
First, our bodies are such that if we do not take proper care of them, we will likely have body odor.
Another reason is that our fragrance tells a lot about us.
How do you want people to perceive you when they see you?
Then there’s the problem of air pollution.
When you wear a good fragrance, you show how much you care for humanity and the climate.
You give the people around you the opportunity to breathe good and fresh air and a better chance to healthy living.
So our scent is not just about wearing a designer perfume—it’s a part of who we are, and it’s always a good thing when someone notices.