Whew! Easy On The Cologne Fella

Yesterday on my way to the office a man got onto the subway with us and his cologne was so overpowering that it made my eyes sting. He seemed oblivious to the fact that several of us near him stopped what we were doing and looked at him, wrinkled our noses, and glanced around to see if anyone else noticed. Yet the man pulled out his paper and happily went about his business, unaware of the reaction he was causing.

The incident reminded me yet again how important it is never to use any cologne or perfume when you go on a job interview. We never realize how sensitive other people are to odors. Interviewers often state that a candidate with bad body odor is one of the biggest turnoffs they encounter. After you’ve taken your shower or bath in the morning, don’t lather yourself with your favorite brand of perfume or cologne. Think about the people you will come into contact with and respect their sensibilities. Wear clean clothes always. Small businesses are reportedly hiring more temporary workers because they are uncertain the uptick in demand is real or can last. This is even true in manufacturing. Don’t believe that unemployment dropped to 9.7% last month. It dropped because the Department of Labor didn’t count a huge number of people that stopped looking for work. It’s called an “annual adjustment” and is highly suspicious. In another example of the uncertainty that exists today, retail sales were up slightly in January but consumer optimism fell. People know what’s going on, even if the government seems oblivious. China’s decision to tighten bank reserve requirements seems intended to quell a real estate bubble. Here in the U.S. there is a looming problem with commercial real estate loans that will have a profound effect on our economy.