DEAR ABBY: The letters in your column about people who wear too much perfume in public prompts this letter.
Some years ago, faced with an identical crisis, I discovered a fix that has stood me well in the numerous olfactory confrontations I've encountered since. When assaulted by odors I can't endure, I obtain a small wedge of lemon or lime. When rubbed under the nose, the resulting citrus aroma effectively masks the sickeningly sweet smell of the perfume. The application of the lemon slice can be done inconspicuously if one doesn't wish to embarrass the offender, or can be done blatantly if one wishes the odor-wafter to become aware of the problem he or she is causing. -- EARLE TIMBERLAKE, B.S.C., REGISTERED MASSAGE THERAPIST
DEAR EARLE: Thank you for the tip. For people who are simply offended by the odor of too much perfume, your suggestion could prove to be a godsend. For those who suffer allergic reactions to perfume, however, I still think prudence would dictate that they put as much distance between them and the offender as possible.