Rider kicked out of store for being too smelly!

[gladys]

I'm surprised this hasn't happened to me yet!

http://www.barnmice.com/forum/topics/most-embarrassing-place-you?page=2&commentId=1773158%3AComment%3A56335&x=1#1773158Comment56335

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[War Admiral]

Same here - but when the first grocery store tries it with me, they WILL be sued, and that ain't no threat, it's a promise!

[Sansena]

Stupid move on the part of the grocery store. Word's going to spread; sounds like they're located in the midst of farm country. How many horsefolk are going to avoid that store deliberately now, either in boycott, or fear of embarassment from being asked to leave?

I wonder if they'd be so quick to kick out someone with severe BO? I think not... so much easier to discriminate by saying "you smell like horse" vs. "you smell as if you haven't showered in a month!"

[JSwan]

Why don't stores throw out customers dragging babies and children around with godawful horrible smelly leaky diapers??????????????????? They stick those brats into shopping carts and leave a real honest to goodness health hazards behind. No pun intended.

Plus, it just plain stinks. And often they also leave one hell of a mess in the bathroom on those changing tables.

I'd rather smell a bit of horse manure than vomited baby food and smelly drippy diapers.

Bleh.

[county]

Sounds to me like they did the right thing, this area is heavily livestock and poultry farming with 80% of the people in the county making their living ag related. We also care about manure being tracked into our food stores.

[zoehesed]

The article said the lady hadn't even groomed her horse... just rode it because she boarded him and she didn't need to so she only had a bit of mud on her boots.... NOT manure.

People assume you smell because of what you are wearing... I had one lady once tell me (at the barn) that I smelled like paint because I was wearing clothes with (acrylic) paint on them.... they were clean clothes but she automatically assumed I must smell like paint because they had paint on them so that assumption made her think I smelled when I didn't. I have a feeling this is what happened to this poor lady too.

[JSwan]

That's a good point, county. Biosecurity is pretty important.

But I think this story is less about biosecurity and more about urban attitudes.

A few years back our extension service surveyed schoolkids and the results were pretty sad.

Kids in this state think farmers are dirty, smelly, poor, white, and uneducated.

Urban people that move out here for "the quiet and beautiful views" immediately start complaining about the smells, the tractors on the roads, noise from crops being harvested - but a big one is the smell. Especially in the spring when we get thaws.

Personally, I'm more worried about the poopy diapers contaminating food, shelves and carts, especially when the kids are allowed to run around.

[county]

A guy got kicked out of the bar in town a few years ago because he smelled like manure. Small town ( 525 people ) no one banned the bar, no one was upset in fact we were happy.

[HydroPHILE]

And to think...I worry about walking into Tractor Farm Supply with dirty boots (after having knocked off mud and hay from them prior to entering).

[War Admiral]

Just as an FYI, Romford is a working-class "innerurb" of London, it's not country at all.

[Curb Appeal]

I know that when I finish riding in an indoor arena that is closed up for winter, I sure can reek. It's not necessary a manure smell, but more of a musty odor. I wouldn't want to smell me either. I go home and change if I am going to be anywhere I may be close enough for other people to smell me.

[Guilherme]

Wouldn't it be rude to track mud into somebody else's house?

Sounds to me like two lessons are required: one in PR for the store, the other in manners for human.

G.

[Lori B]

Tesco's have tile floors. And really, it's not like people hang around in grocery stores for three hours (intentionally). When I grocery shop, I'm usually in and out in 30 minutes or less. I don't get it.

[Coreene]

Wannabe Essex Man trying to pimp up his day.

[outofthebox]

Stupid move on the part of the grocery store. Word's going to spread; sounds like they're located in the midst of farm country. How many horsefolk are going to avoid that store deliberately now, either in boycott, or fear of embarassment from being asked to leave?

I wonder if they'd be so quick to kick out someone with severe BO? I think not... so much easier to discriminate by saying "you smell like horse" vs. "you smell as if you haven't showered in a month!"


I agree... if they are going to tap my shoulder about my barn smell, they better also tap the people with the horrific BO that always seems to be in line with me at Walmart

[Giddy-up]

I know that when I finish riding in an indoor arena that is closed up for winter, I sure can reek. It's not necessary a manure smell, but more of a musty odor. I wouldn't want to smell me either. I go home and change if I am going to be anywhere I may be close enough for other people to smell me.

I agree with you. I don't want to smell myself so I doubt others do. :lol: Even if I at least change out of my "barn coat" it makes a difference.

[Cherry]

Well, we weren't there, and this debate could rage on for days! :yes: :winkgrin: :lol:

This story brings new meaning to this tidbit of advice: "This morning make up your mind to go out of your house and not be offended or people].". Honestly, people get their panties in a wad over nothing at all these days! I hear it all the time, read it all the time.... :uhoh: In the whole scheme of things there are other far more worrisome things to rail against than a little mud, or manure.

You know, proprietors underestimate the power that "goodwill" has in the marketplace. If you show your patrons that you are willing to be a party to something that is petty or uncalled for [poor customer service, poor judgment and the like] that can have a negative and sometimes dramatic affect on your business.... It's a shame that many businesses either don't, or refuse, to see that. Your customers are your bread and butter--if I lived in that area I would no longer shop at that store. But that's just me! ;) "Behavior seen as rewarded tends to be repeated" and I wouldn't want to be the next customer to be embarrassed, nor would I want to give the store any more of my money (in protest).

A guy got kicked out of the bar in town a few years ago because he smelled like manure.
Well, people tend to hang around bars for hours at a time (not that I have personal knowledge of bars and such :uhoh: :lol: )..... And you know there can be some unsavory types of people who hang out in bars anyway, so I think that's a given that someone's going to have to get tossed out of a bar from time to time--but a grocery store, where most people are in and out quickly?! :uhoh:

[Lori B]

Agree w/ Cherry. Even if she smelled bad, I don't see how most grocery stores are such close quarters for an extended period of time that everyone couldn't just settle down and deal for a few minutes.

[caffeinated]

I guess I've been lucky- I often go to the grocery store in barn clothes, straight from riding (there is nothing I hate more than back-and-forth, so I always try to do everything in "one trip" rather than going home in between). Usually if people have anything to say, it's the curious "oh do you ride horses?" thing.

I have had one person complain about the smell, but she was insisting on standing in line as close as possible behind me. I kept inching forward, and she did too- seriously, even if I wasn't in barn clothes I'd be weirding out about the violation of personal space. So when she said something I couldn't help but laugh.

I do usually take off any outer layer, as the coats tend to get really stinky. AS far as bio-security or whatever- I think the mops they use to clean the floors in the produce section might be more bacteria-and-ick laden than anything on my feet. ;)

[WorthTheWait95]

I grocery shop almost exclusively in riding clothes...it would be a real PITA to have to drive all the way home and then all the way back to the grocery store just to pick up a few items I need for dinner that night since the store is right on my way home. I do always keep a clean, never worn to the barn pair of shoes in my car to change into (mainly because I hate getting mud all over the interior of my car). No one has ever complained about anything here in the midwest although I have made a friend or two that has spotted my breeches while out shopping and started a convo.

[DeeThbd]

Being in a pretty clean barn, my coat and sweaters pick up very little smell, though my boots are another story if I have been mucking stalls :lol:
I usually keep a Febreeze sprayer in my truck so I can freshen my clothes before I go anywhere I might cause offense. I wish I could figure out how to get the smell from my boots out of my rubber floor mats, though....even washed it stays.
Dee

[Jealoushe]

A little bit of mud? Ok you should see the floors of the grocery stores here with all the snow and salt. It's a brown slush mess that is absolutely disgusting and a dirty riding boot would not be noticed!

[Jacobi]

DH (who is British ex-pat) commented that "that's the kind of behaviour that gets your store boycotted in England." :lol:

[CatOnLap]

Biosecurity? oh don't make me laugh.

Its not like I am tramping into the deli or the meat packing room in my boots and breeks.

But I USUALLY go grocery shopping in my riding clothes because I do not like to change 5 times a day!

I am more worried about the brats I have to stop from poking their little snot laden fingers into every.single.package. of ground beef at their little level. Or the same ones with smeared noses, digging in their bums, who then go to the bulk food bins and help themselves. With parents standing next to them!

[Bogie]

Being in a pretty clean barn, my coat and sweaters pick up very little smell, though my boots are another story if I have been mucking stalls :lol:
I usually keep a Febreeze sprayer in my truck so I can freshen my clothes before I go anywhere I might cause offense. I wish I could figure out how to get the smell from my boots out of my rubber floor mats, though....even washed it stays.
Dee

It's all a matter of what doesn't smell good to you. As someone who can't stand the smell of many perfumes (and the smell of Febreeze is at the top of my list) I'd much rather stand near someone who smells like barn.

One of my nightmares is being stuck on a plane or in a theatre with someone who is wearing a lot of perfume or cologne. Riding in an elevator is bad enough!

Peoples' sensitivity to scents/odors is highly personal. There are things that smell terrible to me that my husband can't smell at all . . . and scents he can't stand.

Luckily he's come to tolerate eau de cheval and eau de chlorine which happen to be my personal favs.

[Lori B]

But Bogie, being stuck in an elevator or closed automobile is a lot different than being in a grocery store, which is typically a space with high ceilings and hard surfaces and decent ventilation. And there's not usually any reason to be THAT physically close to someone, with the exception of standing in line, which is typically not more than a couple minutes.

I am deeply suspicious that the complainer is the kind of person who needs to get over themselves.

[equest]

I end up stopping at Publix at least once a week in my riding clothes- I am busy and the store is right on the way home from the barn. I am used to some strange looks but they better not mess with me;)
They wouldn't kick a construction worker out for having BO, would they? What about a doctor or nurse in scrubs? More likely a "biosecurity hazard" than a rider!

[Equilibrium]

Oh No, I shop at Tesco! I do, however, change clothes when I'm doing the big shop. But I go to my local shop most days in my combat gear. But to be fair, the cow milkers and Greyhound people smell worse than I do!

Terri

[MSP]

That’s fine as long as they kick out the folks that only bathe once a week too! And folks that cook pungent food and then go out in public! And folks that pour on to much perfume... And so on!

I occasionally run into a store after ridng... hmm last week matter of fact! I am usually more worried about how I look in my riding tights and covering my wide end rather than any smell! :lol:

[tkhawk]

Wow I have been known to go to restaurants after riding. Sit down and eat kind-not fancy-no one has ever said anything-even though in the shedding season, sometimes I do have horsie hair on me too.

[JSwan]

Biosecurity? oh don't make me laugh.

Its not like I am tramping into the deli or the meat packing room in my boots and breeks.


Biosecurity isn't about contaminating the food in the store. Snotty nosed obnoxious kids with poopy diapers do that.

Biosecurity is about making sure you don't spread disease from one FARM to another FARM. Disease can linger on boots and clothes long enough for it to be spread from person to person.

Horse owners are just as capable of spreading disease in this manner - though it's probably not as big a risk since we're scattered and don't congregate very often. But if a horse has strangles or the neuro version of EHV-1 and its shedding the bacteria or virus... yeah. Meeting a fellow horse owner for lunch after being around your horse can spread the disease to the horses she comes in contact with after you take leave.

Please don't dismiss that concern so lightly. I can guarantee you that if EHV-1 is found in your barn you'll spread it if you don't follow established biosecurity protocols. Same with other diseases and other species.

That's what I mean by biosecurity. I can't really comment on the lack of manners because it seems more and more Americans act like they were feral children. :winkgrin:

[Bogie]

But Bogie, being stuck in an elevator or closed automobile is a lot different than being in a grocery store, which is typically a space with high ceilings and hard surfaces and decent ventilation. And there's not usually any reason to be THAT physically close to someone, with the exception of standing in line, which is typically not more than a couple minutes.

I am deeply suspicious that the complainer is the kind of person who needs to get over themselves.

I don't have any problem with people shopping after riding :D.

[eclipse]

Thank goodness the stores around here don't kick you out for wearing riding clothes. You're more likely to be asked if "there's a horse show going on at Spruce" than stared at........thank goodness for living in a horsey city (especially in the South side)! :D

[marta]

scent of too much perfume or cologne makes me sick to my stomach.
and i just cannot understand why folks who go to the gym douse themselves with perfume???? i've had to get off machines on several occasions b/c my neighbor made the workout unbearable:(

[SoCalChick]

When I stop by Whole Foods on the way home from the stables, I usually have about 5 women checking out my riding boots and asking where I got them from.

Apparently the equestrian look is "in" over here!

And couldn't agree more on the icky, snotty, dirty-diapered kids. I've seen a few with their snot noses and sticky fingers, grab fruits and veggies, sink their teeth into it, and throw it back with the rest of the fruits and veggies. All the while, their parents are going: "oh, isn't little [insert snot nose's name] just so adorable?". I don't have a problem with kids. I have a problem with parents who let their kids behave like that.

[Melelio]

People do get oversensitive. I worked in a couple different companies which employed 'folks from overseas' in the IT dept. Usually, these guys were clean seeming, but their clothes I don't think had seen a dry cleaner or washing machine all week, and the same shirt was probably worn all week, both at work and after work.....the SMELL....ugh.....But the people were nice, themselves. I think in their case, they were used to a female family member tending to this issue, and never really seemed to smell themselves (or their co-workers?) Or maybe they're just used to smelling like that.

Try telling someone you work with that perhaps they need to launder their shirt once or twice.

Dealing with someone pungent in a store for 5-30 minutes is far preferable to needing to work in close quarters for 8 HOURS in that state. But you do what you have to do.

What on earth does that store do in the summertime when LOTS of people are sweaty/stinky? Does everyone have to shower before they go to this store now? :lol:

[Coreene]

Horse shit is the only shit that preg women can safely handle. Useless trivia I read in some slutty Brit Chick Lit novel the other day. Giddyap!

[Dressage Art]

their clothes I don't think had seen a dry cleaner or washing machine all week, and the same shirt was probably worn all week, both at work and after work.....the SMELL....ugh.....
Yeah, the torture of standing in their cubical.... :lol:

If she had horse clothes that were not washed for a while - she might off smelled really bad, but still I think it's ridiculous to ask her to leave just b/c of "smell".

I'm an ex-smoker and I can't stand the smell of people who just smoked the cigarette - its tears me out in so many ways (I want to smoke and puke at the same time) - yet I don't complain about their stink and I can smell it 50 feet away!

[Come Shine]

... I can't stand the smell of people who just smoked the cigarette ...

Me either. Blech. I never noticed how bad it smelled until I quit. Now I am mortified that I must have smelled that gross.

Maybe it's the same with horses. Maybe the complainer is an ex-rider. :)

[MistyBlue]

Horse owners are just as capable of spreading disease in this manner - though it's probably not as big a risk since we're scattered and don't congregate very often. But if a horse has strangles or the neuro version of EHV-1 and its shedding the bacteria or virus... yeah. Meeting a fellow horse owner for lunch after being around your horse can spread the disease to the horses she comes in contact with after you take leave.


Ugh...I remember about 5 years or so ago I walked into a friend's barn and was standing in the aisle chatting with him when I noticed one stall had cardboard taped over the bars. I jokingly asked if the horse was on a "time out" or something and he mentioned that it had just come down with strangles. I almost punched the BO in the nose...but I settled on a glare and a very fast speech on how strangles can be spread as I walked at light speed back to my truck and left. Then stripped outside, tossed the clothes in a plastic garbage bag and came in to take a shower. Scared the hell outta that BO but he was newer to owning a barn and had no idea about quarantining for diseases. His dingbat new "trainer" told him it couldn't spread because of the holisitic herbs she was giving it. Moron.

Add me to the list that gags over strong/too much cologne or perfume. Too cloying and seems to stay in my nose for hours, blech! We're pretty much horse-heavy in my area so people smelling of horse and cow aren't a huge deal. The cow smells seem to bother the folks who just moved into the "country" area of this state more than the horse smell does. Especially in early spring when fields are being fertilized with Eau De Bovine. :lol: (have to admit it can make my eyes water too if you get too close to those fields) The newer folks also seem to find it "adorable" and "delightful" to see "equestrians" in the small local stores. They do get annoyed over other farm things such as driving a convertible car behind a hay truck and getting covered in chaff, LOL! Or getting stuck behind a combine on Rte 17. Although I was out picking up milk with my also horsie niece last summer and a crabby socialite wanna-be behind her in line commented loudly and rudely how my niece and I smelled offensive. My niece mentioned loudly back "And your perfume is offensive also." Woman replied, "It's over $100 an ounce!" to which niece replied, "the horse that caused this offensive smell cost about the same and he weighs 1200 lbs!" :lol:

[MunchkinsMom]

Although I was out picking up milk with my also horsie niece last summer and a crabby socialite wanna-be behind her in line commented loudly and rudely how my niece and I smelled offensive. My niece mentioned loudly back "And your perfume is offensive also." Woman replied, "It's over $100 an ounce!" to which niece replied, "the horse that caused this offensive smell cost about the same and he weighs 1200 lbs!" :lol:

I loved that!

I used to stop in the grocery store in CT on my way home from the barn, and it was in a very upscale yuppie type town, and I would get looks, and didn't really care much about it.

Now, here in Ocala, it is more unusual to see someone in the store that is NOT covered in some farm dirt! At least in the store that is up here near all the farms.

[JSwan]

MistyBlue's niece for President!:lol:


I don't mind the eau de Bovine - I'm in dairy country so it's normal.

But I do admit that throwing open the windows on the first warm day in spring is rather anti-climatic.

I go from "closed up house smelling of dog", to "open house smelling of dog and thawing cow manure".

Argh!

[circusponydreams]

I live right in the middle of a big city and I generally go to the grocery store, Petsmart etc. in riding clothes while I have the car out. I get the occasional :confused: look (more so, it seems, when I'm wearing socks and paddock boots rather than tall boots with my breeches...I guess people understand tall boots but the socks and short boots throw them) but that's it.

[soccermom711]

I try really hard not to stop at the store after being at the barn - mostly because it's not really on the way home. Then there's the "small town factor" (even though Harrisburg doesn't really qualify as a small town -- it certainly feels that way). If I MUST stop at the store on the way home from the barn, you can all but guarantee I will see at least 5 people that I know. And those five people will all have just come from church with their perfectly groomed children while I will be in my crappiest barn clothes --- never my cute, flattering riding pants, with my nice boots and trendy shirt.:lol:

My SO -- the actual farm owner -- has lost perspective. I, at least recognize that I have horse hair or mud on me. He no longer sees it or smells it -- nor does he actually care if anyone else does. It works for him -- no one has ever said a word.:eek: (Maybe it's the height + muscle + shaved head though). Works for me. :yes:

He did take his laid back approach to new heights (or lows depending on your point of view) last night. I had just returned from a week long business trip and was feeling really crappy. He told me to come over, get in bed, and he'd go pick us up some dinner. He said the horses were all taken care of and all he needed to do yet was shower. So I get there, and he has his overalls on (and these are extremely well used -- definitely got his money's worth -- overalls) and an old knit hat. I was a tad confused until he showed me that underneath he was wearing only boxers. :winkgrin: He had just showered but had gone back into the barn and didn't feel like actually dressing. He then proceeded to make me get settled in bed, ordered the dinner, then left to get it in the same said overalls, knit hat and boxers.:eek: It's kind of the equivalent of me going to the store in underwear and a raincoat.:lol: Thank God he lives in Grantville a mile from the track.........he would make life too interesting for the people in my neighborhood!

My general feeling is though that we need to be more tolerant of each other. Everyone is going to need a "free pass" at some time or other. There aren't many of us that have the luxury of always going out looking our best. I actually think I've gone out looking worse after working out at the gym or in the weeks after giving birth, where I was lucky to shower, dress myself AND get to the grocery store, all in the same day.:lol:

[BBowen]

A friend of mine stopped to pick up her daughter from school after she had been to the barn to ride. Of course, she was in breeches, boots and had on a light jacket. One of the snooty moms looked at her and crinkled her nose at the "offensive" smell. My friend just looked at her and said, "It costs a lot of money to smell like this. Get over it."

It does cost a lot of money for that smell, so I don't mind going anywhere after being at the barn.

[JanM]

Actually a city library in New Jersey got nailed in court (in the millions as I recall) because a deranged homeless man who smelled so awful that other patrons would leave when they saw him coming in the library, and who was obnoxious in the extreme was removed from the library by the local police and banned from admittance. The supreme court said it was clear discrimination and since then you can't get rid of someone unless they commit a violent crime or the equivalent.

And I second the perfume, stinky kids, and other obnoxious people that offend all of us. I loathe the little kids on the skate shoes too, and can't believe how some people think their little darlings are cute doing things that they wouldn't stand for from other people's kids.

At least people who smell from doing work earned the smell doing something. And I love how people assume you smell bad and you are on your way to the barn (and wearing clean clothes).

After the house fire (partial and all fixed better than ever) I would come over to the house and meet with the contractor, workmen (I love my electrician/plumbers) and the insurance adjustor. I would sweep insulation up or throw chunks of things in the dumpster and I was a little self-conscious about it since I was going to go grocery shopping next (Walmart actually) and the adjustor said "They don't care about that if you have the money"-he also said look at the rest of the people in the checkout line, and he was right. Better someone decently covered that is sweaty or mildly dirty but clean underneath than someone who is dressed like they're going back to their stripper pole after (especially little kids dressed that way-What are people thinking?) shopping.

[pharmgirl]

I have definitely gone grocery shopping right from the barn. I don't recall seeing many people giving me weird looks, but I do remember seeing other riders in their gear on several occasions. One time, I just kind of felt like someone was looking at me and I looked over to see- turns out it was a woman dressed in her riding gear just like me! We both just chuckled :).

*Warning- tangent ahead: This thread reminds me of a story recently told by a barnmate of mine. She is a well respected neuroscientist at a university that also has worn many other hats- does painting on the side, was an emt at some point, vet tech...

She told a story of recently taking her son to daycare recently, reminding me how even more judged we are in our clothing than I sometimes like to believe:
"One of my favorite advantages of academia is the low expectation of daily fashion - in comparison to business, let's say. As a matter of fact, in certain circles I travel looking disheveled and tired cultivates a certain allure of intellect and hard work. I, especially now that classes are over, have been sporting nothing but the most comfortable of jeans and t-shirts, of which one and sometimes both, may contain various size holes.

This morning I dropped my son at childcare, as a looked forward to a long day of lonely benchwork. Much to my horror, I had forgotten it was Christmas caroling day. This usually means empty socializing with other parents as one waits for the appropriate munchikin to came onto stage. With this dreaded realization I parked my Biodiesel, pimped-out, custom exhaust system outfitted, horse trailer towing, F250 truck in between the Toyota Camry's and mini vans of the world. It must have been that I am still wearing a large brace on my left hand after sugery, that drove the nice parent to come help me take Pox out the back seat. This same man, who wore a suit and obviosuly had a "real job" sat next to me during the show. "I am Peter" he said " I am a civil engineer"... after a brief pause he added..."Do you do construction work?".

[LarkspurCO]

To say nothing of that vile man in Bubbles Liquor World who broke wind in the Italian aisle and then quickly scurried away, letting me walk blindly into the noxious plume!

[Little Valkyrie]

To say nothing of that vile man in Bubbles Liquor World who broke wind in the Italian aisle and then quickly scurried away, letting me walk blindly into the noxious plume!

I believe thats known as "crop dusting" these days :lol:

[JMurray]

Uh oh. The Triple Fresh and the Landhope would have to close if all the riding locals had to shower and change before shopping.

[FillySire]

As a father of young daughters getting into horses, I love the smell. I will always know if they are lying about being at the barn or not.:)

[Bayou Roux]

Agreed on the stinky babies and the B.O., but the one that really makes my eyes water is the dude in the Lynyrd Skynyrd baseball shirt who smells like he was annointed in liquid cigarette smoke. I mean, jeez, how much do you have to smoke, or in what kind of confined quarters, to smell that heavily?

I'll take eau de horse or B.O. over that smell any day! :lol:

[equinelaw]

Damn. I get horse smelly and BO smelly from working outside and smoke too. If I stink that bad, why the HELL are people always in my way at the Kroger:confused:

Can't they smell me coming and get out of my way? I just though I was invisable, but they have keen noses?

[cloudyandcallie]

I love our Piggly Wiggly just a few blocks from the barn I used to board at during the drought of 2001-2002. Workmen from the nearby island resort went in with dirty clothing for their lunch selections, but I went in in late afternoons covered in dust from lessons at the barn. I always apologized in the checkout line for my dirt when I paid, but no one ever complained about my looks/smell or that of the workmen. But I wouldn't go in with dirty boots, always washed them off at the barn before leaving.

[daisyduke]

I live in a rural area; a drinking town with a farming problem. If we were judged or segregated due to smell or dress code, the stores would be empty. It always brings a smile to my face though, when my daughter and I go to a nearby city to compete in a show. After a long day at the show grounds, we always frequent a certain restaurant (not formal but not diner). We are always seated in a certain area (close to the kitchen doors) where no one else would sit.

[Whisper]

I occasionally run errands, including grocery shopping, after riding. However, I always change from my riding or paddock boots into regular shoes when I get in the car. I can't really blame them for not wanting to have brown stuff tracked in on riding boots, even if it's actually just mud.

[SarahandSam]

As a father of young daughters getting into horses, I love the smell. I will always know if they are lying about being at the barn or not.:)

Hah--good point!

I love the smell of horse so much I'm always a little shocked when my husband indicates that it may not be pleasant to all people, possibly even including him. I personally think such people are clearly deranged, but then again, there are people who love the smell of German potato salad or sauerkraut, which both make me nauseous, so I guess there are all sorts of crazy folks in this world. Me, I remember being a horse-deprived child who ducked into the Persian rug outlet in the mall because it smelled like leather and tack.

I feel more comfortable going to a store when I'm clearly dressed for riding (breeches, half chaps or tall boots) than when I'm just dressed for barn hanging (jeans, paddock boots, old t-shirt). I feel like when people see me looking like a horse person they tend to overlook the smell (or I like to think I'm infecting small horse-deprived girls who will come to crave the scent of horse). When I'm just looking generally slobbish, I feel more conscious of the smell not being pleasant to all. (: I usually borrow my husband's car to go to the barn so I run a lot of errands on the way--therefore I'm generally immune to stares and sniffs as I stand in line in my breeches, if there are any. Mostly I just get comments about "cool boots" (i.e., half chaps).

If a store tried to throw me out because of my horsey smell, I'd be pretty ticked off, considering the various smells of the various people I've been subjected to living in the city! Horse is by far the most pleasant smell I've encountered at my local grocery store...

[Bayou Roux]

Damn. I get horse smelly and BO smelly from working outside and smoke too. If I stink that bad, why the HELL are people always in my way at the Kroger:confused:

Can't they smell me coming and get out of my way? I just though I was invisable, but they have keen noses?


Snork! That just cracked me up!

[Foxtrot's]

I hate to say it - but I can't smell the horse smell on me - I am sure that those who are not around horses can, though. I do wash my barn jacket and don't wear it to town, but the rest of me goes in and out the barn all day and I can't keep changing clothes. I do wonder what my house smells like to the non-country people --- on the other hand, who cares, they wouldn't keep coming if they did.

[GilbertsCreeksideAcres]

Same here - but when the first grocery store tries it with me, they WILL be sued, and that ain't no threat, it's a promise!

What would be the grounds of your lawsuit? Stinkiness isn't a protected category under the civil rights law, last I checked (assuming you would be suing in the USA).

[Jumphigh83]

One mans stinky is another mans perfume...which reminds me THAT is what I can't stand...princesses doused in whatever scent du jour they find pleasurable...gack! Same for men steeped in whorsrus cologne...I'll take the horse smell any day! Couldn't the stinkee sue for discrimination?

[Teach]

I do wonder what my house smells like to the non-country people --- on the other hand, who cares, they wouldn't keep coming if they did.

This is the root source of one of our family's longest-standing jokes--NEVER buy 'country-scented' airspray--who wants their house to smell of compost & tractor exhaust!

Now if they made one that was fresh-mown hay, I'd be there in a heartbeat. Mmmmmm!

[Trixie]

It's pretty common around here to see people in the grocery stores in their riding clothes. Mostly I'm just asked where I ride.

I did once accidentally attend an impromptu outdoor spring BBQ/Party in show clothes. I warned them ahead of time, since there was no way to drive an hour from my farm to my house then out to the party, which was out by our farm. Though I was a twee bit out of place amongst the other girls in their sundresses, again, everyone just asked about the horses.

It would be beyond silly for me to drive home, shower, and change before going to the grocery store. I just don't have that kind of spare time.

[goeslikestink]

Wannabe Essex Man trying to pimp up his day.

ha ha coreene that be right- you know what they say about essex girls dont you haha

romford tesco's i know the one they talking about, i used to call on that as a client haha

but in all due respect tesco is a food store as with any food store it has health and safety poilices which is and does incorporate hygeny protocol so it would be deemed as correct

myself i alway change my shoes as i have boots in my car ie riding boot or muckers and then trianers so i alway change my foot wear before entry into a supermarket if calling as a customer from my yard

oone perosn against many users of tesco, she can have her say ie but wont win
as its is deemed a health hazzard

[MistyBlue]

This is the root source of one of our family's longest-standing jokes--NEVER buy 'country-scented' airspray--who wants their house to smell of compost & tractor exhaust!

Now if they made one that was fresh-mown hay, I'd be there in a heartbeat. Mmmmmm!

LMAO...too true about the real smell of "country" being compost and tractor exhaust. :lol:
Yankee Candle does make a fresh grass or mowed grass or something like that scent. At least they did a few years ago, I sniffed it in one of their mall stores and it wasn;t the nice smell of freshly mowed grass but more the smell of the mowed grass you forgot to dump out of the bagger when you mowed last week. Blech.
But in late spring/early summer whenever I drive by a hay field with rows of tetted hay or with the mower still in there I lean out the window and take a great big sniff! And then I pull over and start checking out the hay from the road to see what type it is and if it's anything I'd be interested in. (and I like to watch the hawks swoop in front of the mower and the coyotes pouncing in front of it too) And usually I'm not the only horse person checking out the hay as it's being mowed. Freshly mowed hay draws horsie broads better than Chippendale dancers, LMAO!

[lilblackhorse]

i have a problem with that--I used to walk into stores (mainly Costco and Safeway) after I rode. I see people in the library all the time wearing riding clothes. Unless you're tracking horse shit all over the floor, I don't think these places have any call to kick a rider out. I'd rather smell "horse" on someone than cigarettes. Or too much perfume. I find that MUCH more offensive, and those people don't get a lecture.

And how about the new trend of these Paris Hilton wannabes who carry their stupid dogs into stores? I'm sorry, I don't want a dog at chest level near my food. Most public stores have exceptions for service animals, I don't need your stupid toy poodle or chihuahua in my food store.

And who is to say that riding boots are dirtier than other boots? I tend to step in dog crap more in my tennis shoes than my riding boots--I'd take horse over dog poo anytime (not that I walk around with either).

Very odd--you would think that UK would be pretty liberal towards riders. We're a rural area, and I see farmers in stores often. I never had an issue in the grocery store in Middleburg either. Loved how I could be in my work clothes-after a 13 hour day, reeking, and walk by a high brow carrying their LV bag driving a Jag. It's horse country, get used to it.

Their PR will suffer I would bet.

[vacation1]

The only place I've really wanted to kick people out for being smelly was a) people who brought fried food onto a bus, and b) the reeking creepy man who inhabits every library in the nation. On the other hand - horsey smell in the barn is wonderful, but strong horsey smell in a non-horsey space is pretty intense and unpleasant.

What would be the grounds of your lawsuit? Stinkiness isn't a protected category under the civil rights law, last I checked (assuming you would be suing in the USA).

You could get creative and claim it was your culture or religion. For example:
"As an Irish-American, I am naturally drawn to horses" and "I worship the horse as my totem animal in the Native Peoples Earth Mother religion."

[Event4Life]

Haha, I went to tescos just last Monday right after a lesson. It's either that or go all the way home, change, then go back out again. No thanks! At college in PA (small town, middle of nowhere - lots of farms etc) I always used to go grocery shopping right after riding - again easier than going home first, so when I moved to Edinburgh I didn't think twice about it.

Yesterday I had to sit in a pub in the middle of nowhere for a few hours waiting for people to return from walks. I'd tripped falling down a hill so was covered in mud. I got some looks, which I was surprised about becuase said pub is in a popular walking area. I don't know if it was the mud or the ice ax attached to my backpack that warranted the looks though...

[GilbertsCreeksideAcres]

You could get creative and claim it was your culture or religion. For example:
"As an Irish-American, I am naturally drawn to horses" and "I worship the horse as my totem animal in the Native Peoples Earth Mother religion."

Now you're talking. At least you have a plan for the lawsuit! That's the kind of creativity that keeps the American judicial system churning, and keeps lawyers in nice cars and fine drink.

[kookicat]

Why don't stores throw out customers dragging babies and children around with godawful horrible smelly leaky diapers? They stick those brats into shopping carts and leave a real honest to goodness health hazards behind. No pun intended.

Plus, it just plain stinks. And often they also leave one hell of a mess in the bathroom on those changing tables.

I'd rather smell a bit of horse manure than vomited baby food and smelly drippy diapers.

Bleh.

Agree. It's just nasty.

Tesco tend to be a little more... 'picky' than say Asda. I go into my local store wearing horse clothes at least three times a week. Nothing has ever been said to me. Personally, I'd have told that guard where to go, finished my shopping and then left.

[BelladonnaLily]

Well, we really don't KNOW HOW SMELLY she really was. I suspect this wasn't just run of the mill barn dirty. I have a pair of Ariat Terrains that reek of horse pee. I will wear them to the barn, or to a schooling show when it is a muddy and nasty out, but I wouldn't dream of wearing them into a grocery store. A normal ride isn't going to make you stink, I wouldn't think unless you have BO issues. This woman probably had horse urine on her boots, or other personal hygiene problems, IMHO.

I wouldn't want to grocery shop with someone like that either.

[BelladonnaLily]

One mans stinky is another mans perfume...which reminds me THAT is what I can't stand...princesses doused in whatever scent du jour they find pleasurable...gack! Same for men steeped in whorsrus cologne...I'll take the horse smell any day! Couldn't the stinkee sue for discrimination?

I have to agree! I was at the gym a few weeks ago when a, ahem, gym princess (I have a more colorful term but won't use it here :lol:) showed up. Hair fixed, 3 inches of makeup, you know the bit. 20 frikkin' treadmills in the joint and she jumps on the one beside me (strolling along, doesn't want to break a nail). Now, these treadmills have fans to cool you off...so I got a steady blast of some cheap Walmart perfume that almost made me pass out.

What is up with bathing in that crap? I'd rather smell horse urine....:lol:

[crazy gray horse]

I can't count the number of times I've been in a store - or even a movie theater - and had to hold my nose because of someone nearby who took a bath in an ungodly smelling perfume or cologne. You can smell them aisles away.

Last year I went to the Animal Planet Sport Horse Cup and a woman sat several seats down the row from me and she had on a very strong perfume. I sat with my hand over my nose most of the time I was there to keep from sneezing.

Give me the smell of the horse any time :D

[farmgirl88]

i agree with it being an "urban" thing. People in the city often think of farm folk as being smelly, dirty and not showered, uneducated, white and poor.

i agree that it could be a biosecurity thing if manure is being tracked all over the place...but this was not the case here.

Ive gone from a dairy barn...being clean and rinsing my shoes off before leaving the barn...and going out to lunch with a bunch of friends in a small town but more urban area where folks just arnt used to the smell of cow...and you should've seen the looks. i really seriously practically cleared out the small resturaunt in 10 minutes because they just couldnt stand the smell of dairy cow.

Ive done the same with smelling like horse. I dont ever track manure anywhere, frankly im embarassed to do so, but my boots and pants and jackets have and will always smell like horse or cow...its gauranteed.


I go to a university where agriculture was the start of the school, and still is a big part of it, but most of the kids that go there think that because there are cows and farm animals on campus, means that this college is out in the middle of nowhere. I go into class reaking of the barn all the time...because thats where ive been, thats what i go to school for, and im damn proud of it,

you should see the looks from some of the students in my classes, i must make them want to throw-up.

I live in an area too, where small farms where once prominant and now the developers are moving in, boosting up taxes, and buying out the family farms that have been here forever. the city folk that come here, love the are, love the views, the small town feel, the view of the farms...BUT..they dont want to see a tractor, or tractors driving down the road with dirt from the fields flying off them, or cows out in the pasture "because they smell" or fencing, or ANY of that because - i quote "it would ruin their view from their back window"

---its sickening and extremely frustrating to half the folks that live around here and love it for what it is

[Sue from Auckland]

Even if there was manure on the shopper's boots (the store's contention, although she contends not), presuming that she did not intend to dance along the deli counter, and presuming that Tesco does not store uncovered (or even covered) footstuffs on the floor, there would be no transfer of any contamination so how could that be a food safety issue. Everyone (barefoot or shod) who enters a building has been walking elsewhere in who knows what (animal urine, bird droppings, etc) which may not necessarily be visible but which they can then track into the premises. I wouldn't have thought that smell alone (unless indicative of the presence of gas or something that could actually contact the food) could cause any negative food safety issues.
In terms of all the things that are likely to be transferred to shopping trolleys, I would be insisting that Tesco install some sort of disinfecting bath that the trolleys had to go through between EACH use :) not to mention all the muck which the trolley wheels must track in from outside and, by virtue of their circular motion, spray up and around (muck on feet would tend to stay much lower and be less likely to contaminate footstuffs).

[equinelaw]

My initial reaction was not that she was "smelly" but that there is a lot of resentment in the UK of "upper class riders" and tensions between classes? I actually do not know, but I sort of thought it was more of a personal attack then a really valid concern that she smelled.

OTOH, I thought riders were actually treated like sports stars over there too. Its obviously rare enough and outrageous enough to be newsworthy or we wouldn't be reading about it over here, so I think it was one guy with a chip on his shoulder and a minimum wage job.

I may be completely off base. My view is distorted as I have lived in a place where everybody shops in barn clothes or riding clothes all the time. Its perfectly normal and acceptable. We may change before a trip to Wal-mart, but only because we don't want to be seen shopping there for liberal lefty reasons.

I have only heard one person say we were "smelly", but she didn't think the men smelled bad, just the slim. pretty women that looked good in breeches and boots:) I sort of read that as envy. Plus, she said it to me not knowing I was one of "those horse people" so clearly her nose was not as accurate as she believed:)

[morrisfan1]

Wow....


But really, you should check out my blog!!

:):yes:

[galwaybay]

I often go to the grocery store after riding - there is one grocery that is best as there is usually at least one other person/child in riding clothes shopping as well - which helps.

But getting kicked out for smelling - geez what about auto mechanics, asphalt workers on a hot summer day, joggers and bikers who waltz in to stores for a break from their workout - last time I heard human sweat could be pretty stinky too...

Apparently the UK is going a bit over the top on some issues - I heard on the radio the other day that they were forming a Food Task Force of some kind who would be going around to people's homes to check their fridges and amount of Leftovers because apparently the folks in the UK are throwing out too much leftover food - Now I don't know if this story is true or not - heard it from a pretty reliable reporter but.

[BelladonnaLily]

galwaybay, thats exactly where socialism will get you. ;) Lots of slippery slopes...

[mandalea]

I wore my jods and chaps to the shops the other day..

People were giving me funny looks, because of what I was wearing - I hadn't even fed my horse! I was there getting him some munchies, and stuff for his b'day cake (which it is his 18th tomorrow :D)

I picked up some apples, and put them back, because they were bruised, and some lady grabbed them and put them in the bin, like I was diseased!

I hate it. It's stupid. And we are one of the most horse populated towns in our Shire!

And the people at the produce barn know when I need more feed or molasses or something like that, because I always wear my jodhpurs there (don't know why, but I always mange to go there when I'm planning on riding..?)

[vacation1]

Now you're talking. At least you have a plan for the lawsuit! That's the kind of creativity that keeps the American judicial system churning, and keeps lawyers in nice cars and fine drink.

At least it keeps them out of politics.