Arabic food tastes like armpit!!?

Question

OK so my boyfriend is an Arab. I love him to death but his armpit smells really awful when he sweats. Yesterday his parents invited me over for dinner and guess what, they fed me Arabic food! This was the first time I have Arabic food and it smells like his armpit! And the after taste is awful. What do I do now? My bf really loves Arabic food and I can't stand it. Do anyone of you notice the smell? How do I get use to it?

feral_shade · Accepted Answer

I wouldn't assume ALL Arabic food smells like that... there's dozens of Arabic nations--it's a huge region. I personally can't stand some Turkish or Afghani food... but Iraqi and Egyptian food isn't that bad overall... and there's a ton I haven't even tried yet, lol!

It's kinda like your bf eating a slice of anchovy pizza and saying all American food is bad

Anyways, it could just be 1 or two ingredients they used. there are a few foods that can slightly change the smell of the body's excretion. ... and if his family served it, there's a decent chance he consumed those ingedients regularly when growing up

(i think most families stick to a set of staple spices or foods when cooking--for the sake of convenience)

maybe you could talk to his parents and see what recipes he enjoys... that way you can see if common spice or something in most of the them that's the culprit

... then you could prepare similar Arabic dishes (or maybe new ones he's never thought of trying)--that DON'T have that ingredient... and you'll both be happy :)

I know if I had an Indian boyfriend I would feel disgusted if he liked a lot of dishes with curry in them... i just can't stand the smell/taste of that spice! But fortunately there are a bunch of dishes from that country that don't have curry that I love... Even though India isn't Arabic, I can imagine a little how you feel about it.

TheDevilInside · Accepted Answer

many people have body odour that smells like the food they eat. I notice that with African people (not african-american, but african). Whenever I go to the bathroom after an African girl has been in there, the bathroom always smells... "unique". And having had several African roommates, I find some of the food they cook really "weird" and have weird smells to. This coming from an Asian girl who has eaten brains, lungs, and garlick-y Asian food.

You don't have to like the cuisine. Just don't act so disgusted by it in front of him, because it would offend him. Next time he eats arabic food, just pick something else or next time his family invites you over for dinner, bring some casserole or something yourself, put it on the table, and eat only a little bit of your own casserole, say that you're not hungry. Or try something that doesn't look or smell too foreign for you.

-Zoe- · Accepted Answer

LOL :D well, I don't really know what's the right thing to do.. Is your boyfriend open-minded? I guess no matter how you will say it to him, he will get sad or disappointed and he cannot avoid it...
Maybe try to think that it's a normal smell and try to smell it more often until you will get used to it... It's all in the mind I guess :D don't think that you can't stand the smell.. think that its a normal smell and not poisonous, its your boyfriend's smell so it must be good :D
I had experience too but not about food and armpit smell, this is in medical laboratory where there's always pee and poo that needs to be tested... at first, I really can't stand it even there's ventilation it still smells so bad, but after awhile, I get used to it... hahah :D

cheeseysouffle · Accepted Answer

Okay... As a foodie this is sort of insulting to any culture to compare food to armpits.

Secondly, American food, assuming your an American, does not spice our food. When you eat another cultures food they tend to be heavily spiced, especially middle eastern food.

If you want to get used to it, tell him. What you need to do is to start with baby steps. You're not going to like everything, but if you start out with something completely different from your cuisine, you might not like it.

For instance, I like some curries, but I can't stand others because of the spice blend. I also love Latin or South American food, but I can't stand plantains at all. You just need to try things out slowly.

... just don't call it armpit food

PalmWave · Accepted Answer

Not to offend anyone when I say this but a lot of people I see from the middle east smell of this armpit odor. When im around a college there's a lot of people from different countries studying there, and some of those are Mid-east people. I like their culture and everything but I don’t know why the hell they smell the way they do! It surprises me because they seem like very clean people. Sometimes the smell is so intense I don’t have to turn around to know there's an arab behind me, I can smell him.

Listen to this, it was a first too. The other day I was on the train and this middle eastern girl smelled of sour rotten fish. I think she had something going down there because when she stood up and started walking the smell got real foul and unbearable. The walking probably aired out the smell lol.

Now about your situation, I’d just tell him to apply deodorant and some body spray for men. Tell him to scrub when showering that way it gets rid of the dead skin cells over the epidermis. Your body odor also depends on what you eat and what lifestyle you have. The body is a curious thing to us all.

madhatters4 · Accepted Answer

well arabic is a language, is it a food also?

middle eastern food is delicious, at least what I had. I've eaten Iraqi and Afghani foods and they are absolutely amazing. so it sounds to me like either the food you had just wasn't made well, or the smell of it caused your taste buds to sort of reject the food.

I think you should try going to a middle eastern restaurant. give it another shot in a clean (non-armpit smelling) restaraunt

findingdreamland · Answer

You do not have to get used to food, i mean if you do not like it. But word your dislike properly. Like ' i appreciate your food but i think i have different palatal delight' etc

Then for him he can do for many things for the smell. Roll on is a must. He has to have shower every morning.
Make him use deodorant. For example buy a fresh smell cologne for him.

BoudyRizk · Answer

Your boyfriend's parents are not hygienic enough and do not clean themselves enough
That's the problem

I'm an Arab
I always have Arabic food, it never smells or tastes the way you are saying
On the contrary, it is super delicious

By the way, where is your boyfriend from? I can help you if you tell me

Dandeus · Answer

His mom must be a shit cook, cause Arabic food is amazing. I've known lots of guys from the middle east and India, and most of them have had terrible breath or body outdoor, which I assume must be a cultural thing, but the food smells nothing like body odor.

DodgersGM · Answer

Yeah, it's true that consuming a lot of spices can have an effect on body odor, so your boyfriend's diet could be influencing that a little.

That said, this probably has more to do with your boyfriend's hygiene than anything else. Does he shower daily, apply deodorant, etc?

Me personally, I eat a LOT of cumin, curry powder, and garlic, and I always smell really good because I practice good hygiene.

springocelot · Answer

I like arabic food.

Maybe it's the way the food is prepared or the spice blend used. It could be the meat itself too. I've been to halal grocery stores and a lot of their meat smells awful.

As for your boyfriend, I'd buy him a nice bodywash gift set :p

been_waiting · Answer

You can try eating it more to get used to it so you'll like it or avoid coming over at mealtimes. I think you'll end up liking it though. If you're in a situation where they're feeding you say you're not that hungry. I used to do that with my friend but I started to like her family's cooking.

As for him- is he not hygienic? You could buy him a bodywash/deo/cologne set for a gift.

Anonymous · Answer

What? Arabic food is amazing, you must be eating bad stuff, or you just dont appreciate a wide variety of food. Arabic food is mild when it comes to spices, especially offensive smelling ones like curry etc.. It's not customary in Arabic food, so there shouldn't be a reason why the food effects his scent. Buy him a nice deodorant/ cologne as a gift and tell him the sales girl asked you to sample it and you loved the smell of it. That way you can ask him to wear it without being rude or obvious.

BertMacklinFBI · Answer

maybe you can find other dishes that you will enjoy. maybe it was that one dish you really didn't like. and tell him to apply some fucking deodorant shit. lol. doesn't he know bad hygiene is a major turn off?

healthybeauty · Answer

i hate that kind of food! its disgusting! i really have no idea what to tell you, id probably not be with that guy because i wouldn't be able to go over there all the time and force myself to eat it

Maazin · Answer

Nothing to be surprised about. If the dude has been eating that kind of food obviously the secretions from the body will smell like wise to a certain extent. Not that you are gonna get Rose water smell when he eats roses lol. Likewise folks who hog big time on Non veg fast food and also booze a lot tend to have unbearable body odour !!!

AshBrown · Answer

If you put pizza in close proximity of bananas, the pizza will smell like bananas. I think that's enough to explain.

BrunetteNYC · Answer

I once went to look at a house to rent and they (Arabs) lived downstairs. It smelled bad, too, never left an empty apartment so fast.

Ildskf · Answer

Is he Yemeni or Iraqi? There are different types of Arabs and I think that makes a difference

COCOCHANEL · Answer

i tried it once when a friend invited me to her house for dinner. i remember feeling really stressed out because i tried but couldng't eat any of the dishes... and only being able to eat the plain yogurt which they happily kept serving me.

lifes_curve_ball · Answer

Arabic food is dope. You should have lamb. I don't know what you're talking of, never smelled like that and never tasted bad like you're saying.

lonley-harted · Answer

I think your full of Shit with no taste. Be more open minded to culture. I dont Give à rats ass what you think of me. Oh yeah tell your bf Mom that her cooking taste like your sons armpits

Anonymous · Answer

Maybe the smell of the family rubbed off on the food when they were cooking because I've had Arabic food and it's pretty damn good no body odour from it at all

aamy811 · Answer

You tried one Arabic meal. Don't say all Arabic food is disguisting

SecretSomeone · Answer

I think it is certain food with so much spices or something, try kebab or Shawarma with salads they are the Arabic food that I like and yes a lot of them smell like that because of what they eat

Trustme_Im-lying · Answer

You will get used to it, lol believed me, my first time to ate their food , it was awful and horrible taste. But now hey, it's not bad at all.

Anonymous · Answer

So, turning to islam eh? because all muslim guys want their woman to turn islamic and wear the you know what.

carnix · Answer

never noticed it... but then his parents were kind enough to give you food and you slight them lol...

Anonymous · Answer

You're boyfriend and his family are dirty... doesn't have to do anything with the food.

Anonymous · Answer

i worked with an arabic guy and his breath was terrible from the food he ate, maybe you could surprise him with some strong deoderant and tic tacks

GoldCobra · Answer

SMELL THE ARMPIT, LOVE THE ARMPIT

Anonymous · Answer

I think you are hallucinating and you are not a very grateful or hospitable guest.

Anonymous · Answer

well then break up with him if you don't like his culture.. armpit eater

BenBenBenBen · Answer

what's your BF's Arabic country? name it  then i'll know that kind of food

virginguru · Answer

Try durian than try his food.

lukino · Answer

Febreeze that shit before you eat it

Mafuyu · Answer

shawarma taste good,,

SandPlanet · Answer

If that is so, than I love the taste of armpit.

chocolateismylover · Answer

I actually love Arabic food.

Deft_maiden · Answer

Either leave him or learn to love the food

ArabianPwincess197 · Answer

Well this is a first lol

WhaChaChaKing · Answer

Probably too much cumin.

Arabic food tastes like armpit!!?

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