Stop That Smell!

From the financial crisis and global recession, to the burgeoning Iranian nuclear program, to the rampant and senseless killings in Congo, there is no shortage of grave problems needing attention. In deference to the serious dialogues that need to take place, I'll take on an issue of daily concern to individuals everywhere. No one is spared from its suffering, and the root causes are both unpredictable and plentiful.

Whether it is the cabbage rolls and garlic chicken from PF Chang's that your close friend consumed for dinner, or the Spicy Hot Wings you and the boys had last night at Hooters, or even your Mother's black bean chili, the end result is always the same. And it always smells.

It happens in elevators, public restrooms, cars, and even under the sheets, Dutch Oven style. No matter the context, exposure always necessitates a solution. This begs the question: How do you stop that smell?

Through observation, I've found two popular techniques.

First, a classic, The Two Finger Pinch. This is quick, one-handed, and relatively easy to execute. Below is my attempt to reenact a post-exposure Two Finger Pinch:



Though it is the traditional approach, The Two Finger Pinch can be painful to implement, especially if you have a stuffy, clogged nose. This second technique is better suited to handle a variety of exposure scenarios. In my opinion, the Peace Sign Plug is clearly the best solution:





Hopefully, this dialogue can be an avenue to discovering even better solutions in the future. What's yours?