Houston Area Traditional Dance Society
Most people understand why we want our dances to be alcohol-free and smoke-free, but question “Why fragrance-free? Do you want us to stink?”
No, of course not; we want you to use a deodorant! But you don't have to wear cover-up fragrances to eliminate natural body odors, and just as second-hand smoke is irritating and harmful to many people, so are the fragrances added to thousands of personal care products.
This is especially important in our small dance space with the close contact inherent in contra and English dancing.
An individual who reeks of smoke or alcohol or has a strong body odor is repulsive to dance with. For many people, so is the individual who wears perfume, cologne, or other scented personal products.
Everyone can breathe clean air. Not everyone can, or wants to, breathe unclean air.
Please understand that this is not just a preference issue. For many people, it is a health issue.
For some people the solvents, petroleum products, and even natural essential oils used in personal care products can act not only as respiratory irritants but also as cardiac stimulants (skyrocketing blood pressure, palpitations), neurotoxins (severe headaches, tremors, mental confusion, equilibrium loss, blurred vision), and if being worn, skin irritants (rashes, itching). Exposure to products containing even small amounts of these chemicals can cause these symptoms.
Chemical sensitivity results from continued exposure to solvents and products in doses thought to be safe. It could happen to any one of us, and if you're someone who uses scented products, you are most at risk for developing sensitivity.
Although chemical sensitivity sounds like an allergy, it is not. Unlike many allergies, the symptoms can not be treated with drugs. The only remedy is to avoid exposure.
We ask that, when coming to a dance, you please:
Stifling an urge to dance is bad for your health—it rusts your spirit and your hips. ~ Adabella Radici