Are you feeling triggered?
GOOD.
Because if you treat personal hygiene as a stigma or a sensitive topic, then you might be part of the problem. Let me be clear, I, Sanjay Manaktala, am:
- Indian
- Used to be overweight (and still have a gut that won’t quit)
- Have used deodorant since I was 15, way before Axe made it “cool.”
- Stink when I don’t use deodorant, especially after turning 30. It’s even worse when trying a new brand for some reason.
- Will happily tell my brother, mom, or even my wife if they have body odor, and vice versa.
- A stand-up comedian and host of one of India’s top podcasts, the Birdy Num Num podcast.
In this article, I’m diving into some of the questions I’ve received from my Instagram followers about body odor, grooming, and how embracing hygiene can genuinely improve your life.
If you’ve ever wondered about that distinct smell from someone in your office or tech team, this should clear things up for you too.
Addressing the Question: Why Do Indians Smell?
I once knew a friend who seemingly had it all: wealth, a McKinsey job, a Harvard education, yet he couldn’t get a date to save his life.
He was constantly down, drowning in self-pity while driving his Mercedes.
To him, it was a baffling mystery. A Harvard MBA, decent looks, a great career, and a good family background—what was going wrong?
But to everyone else, even a casual observer or a waiter could quickly pinpoint what his lack of self-awareness concealed.
He had a persistent, unpleasant smell. Every single day.
Bad breath, noticeable body odor, and generally just not pleasant to be around.
So, my other close friend and I did what any good friends would do… we wimped out and sent an anonymous email. We were too afraid to hurt his feelings (mostly for our own comfort, but we genuinely wanted to help).
“Hey, you don’t know me, but I worked or studied with you years ago. I’ve always seen you work so hard and achieve so much professionally, but also noticed your frustration on the personal front. I want to see you succeed there too, and it’s something easily fixable. Please just wear deodorant daily, and many of your life problems will improve. You have a strong body odor, and it’s a major turn-off for people.”
That was one of the first emails from my old, throwaway Hotmail account.
Fast forward six months, I was staying at his place, opened his medicine cabinet, and was greeted by an array of cologne bottles, mouthwash, deodorants, body sprays—you name it.
A year later, he was engaged.
The Cultural Context: Why Deodorant Wasn’t Always Common in India
So, why do some Indian men have body odor? Historically, deodorant was considered a Western product, and its widespread use is still a relatively recent trend in India.
It simply wasn’t seen as a necessity growing up.
Even my own mother never brought it up. I learned about it from American TV commercials as a teenager. And yes, the white kids in middle school weren’t shy about letting me know I “smelled like sweaty curry.” As harsh as teenagers can be, I’m actually grateful they did.
But times are changing. Deodorant sales in India are skyrocketing.
In fact, deodorant revenue in India is projected to grow by 25% annually (Source). It used to be a luxury item, but now it’s affordable for almost everyone. However, cultural adoption takes time.
While India loves its spices, the heat that comes with it means embracing some “Old Spice” (or any deodorant) is also essential.
Addressing the “Targeting Indians” Accusation: Body Odor is Universal
You’re absolutely right. Body odor is a human issue, not exclusive to any nationality.
Every group of people has individuals who may have body odor.
My friend Joel, who is American and Mexican and was at my baraat (wedding procession), also needs deodorant before dancing in the heat to avoid body odor. The point is, many of us in South Asian communities, including myself initially, weren’t raised with the idea that deodorant is as essential as brushing your teeth. We tend to be more reserved about addressing it directly.
But why are we so sensitive about something so obvious? In hot and humid conditions, or during physical activity, deodorant is a must, regardless of where you come from.
Just as some might need to gently point out that toilet paper is essential (humorously referencing a different cultural context), we need to encourage our South Asian brothers and sisters to see deodorant as a fantastic and necessary product.
I remember seeing guys in my IT office spend ages combing their hair in the restroom after lunch, oblivious to the fact that no one wanted to be within five feet of them due to body odor.
And these same individuals might then go online and troll others, perhaps stemming from frustrations in their personal or romantic lives.
Does this resonate with you?
India might be 5-10 years behind in fully embracing body odor elimination, but the more we help our friends and family understand they might be contributing to the “stank,” the better it is for everyone.
Personal hygiene and grooming are a small investment—maybe $2 or INR 150.
BOOKS THAT HELPED ME GET BETTER AT LIFE (AMAZON)
It’s no longer a luxury; it’s a basic necessity. But widespread adoption will still take some time. So, if you notice someone at the gym, work, school, or even in your family who has body odor, consider it your civic duty to help them out—discreetly, of course.
Helping Someone Smell Good is Helping Them Succeed in Life
We all know someone who struggles with body odor, and often, no one tells them. People are afraid of hurting their feelings. But consider the impact of continuous social rejection and not knowing the reason why.
It’s far more damaging than the temporary discomfort of a frank but kind conversation.
If you can find a tactful or anonymous way to let someone know about their body odor, the positive outcomes can be significant:
- They’ll likely take action to address it.
- Their confidence will increase.
- They’ll perform better in their professional life, personal relationships, and overall life.
- Most importantly, they’ll be aware and empowered to make a change.
Polite Ways to Address Body Odor
- The Indirect Approach: Talk to another coworker (within earshot of the person with body odor) about a hypothetical situation. Discuss how someone’s body odor at a restaurant ruined your evening or a date. The second person can chime in with, “Seriously, who doesn’t wear deodorant?!”—dropping a heavy hint.
- The Gift Strategy: Gift everyone in the office or your social circle (including the person in question) a nice bottle of cologne or deodorant, around $10-20. Start using it yourself at work to normalize it.
- The Anonymous Message: Send an anonymous email, just like I did.
- The Direct Approach (In Some Cultures): In India, and I’ve heard this often, bosses and coworkers sometimes directly tell employees about their body odor. In some tech companies, they’ve even sent colleagues home to shower!
Hygiene Products Aren’t “Western”—They’re Universal
Yes, I know we have traditional practices like using talcum powder, saffron, and other natural remedies for fragrance.
I’m all for natural approaches if they work for you.
If you want to spend an hour every evening with coconut oil and lotions, go ahead.
But we use Google and products manufactured in China daily, so let’s drop the pretense that we reject “Western” products outright.
Proctor and Gamble aren’t inherently evil, although large corporations do have their issues.
We modernize nearly every aspect of our lives, so let’s modernize our approach to hygiene as well.
A quick swipe of deodorant under each arm is a small effort that can prevent a lifetime of social and personal setbacks.
CONCLUSION
The simple truth is many of us know someone with body odor, or perhaps are that person, and we struggle to address it, especially within close-knit communities.
I’ve heard countless stories from the corporate world about managers having to pull employees aside to suggest they freshen up.
It really happens.
Does it need to reach that point?
Deodorant technology has advanced significantly. A single application in the morning can keep you fresh until late evening, even in hot and humid climates like Chennai or Mumbai summers.
As you minimize body odor—and trust me, it’s hard to smell yourself—other aspects of your life tend to improve.
This can positively impact your finances, career, dating life, romantic relationships, and overall happiness.
Though, I can’t guarantee happiness. That’s still a complex journey for most of us.
Happy Spraying!
Sanjay Manaktala is a leading stand-up comedian in India who has been instrumental in building the country’s comedy scene since 2010. His stand-up comedy videos and podcasts have entertained and motivated millions. His latest project is the Birdy Num Num podcast, designed to inspire creativity in life after engineering. You can learn more about Sanjay here or explore his YouTube channel here.
