...Ah, how true indeed. Also, what we never received when we wished for it.It can be such a liberating feeling to detach oneself from things, but as you said, Cincy, not always easy to do...And in many cases, I think people cling and will not let go of things to fill in their lives they couldn't otherwise 'plenish' by themselves, and that leads to your other good quote with tying one's happiness to someone else's kite.

..."...What hath come over thee, Guerlain?If thou wished to bereave me of my speech, thou hast well suceeded.Alas, not by thine perfume."― quote of myself, after hearing the latest news.

...“If you work by reason you grow rough-edged; if you choose to dip your oar into sentiment’s stream, it will sweep you away. . . . However you look at it, the human world is not an easy place to live.” ― Natsume Sōseki The above is a quote I fell in love with (or rather, could identify myself) when I learnt it for the first time as a girl, although I must admit I haven't still come to read the complete book since then, "Kusamakura (Grass Pillow)". However, I must note that in the original, the first part says, "If you act according to reason, you will make yourself unpopular (get at 'rough edges with other people')", and although I quoted the official English translation, I rather believe the author meant it as it is usually understood in Japanese. "Good friends, good books, and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life." ― Mark TwainAlready quoted in this thread, another brilliant mind I've always loved.

...I do understand Andy Tauer's sentiment about ripping parts from something created as a total concept, could be applied to many other fields as well. I do not know any of his perfumes, but if I really liked one (and had the means), I suppose I would try to purchase a bottle. I do not need 'bling' (glittery and decorative designs aren't always to my taste) nor do I collect bottles, but I enjoy the existence of perfume as a whole, the visual and haptic experience included in the spraying ritual.So, while I wouldn't pay substantially more just for a 'nicer' bottle, I would prefer to have my fragrances in the 'original vessel' they were intended to be. Of course, it's coming from someone with a humble and small gathering of hobby fragrances anywhere near a real 'collection'.I do consider the design bearing a message. Therefore, it can unconsciously play a part in my decision which fragrances to test within a limited time if I only had the visuals as information.

...Hi, CK "Euphoria Men (Eau de Toilette)" is the first one that comes to my mind for toothpaste. Funny because it doesn't even contain mint/peppermint. I once wrote in a comment that I felt like accidentally applying too much toothpaste on the toothbrush and sticking it into my mouth.

...Anessa:For the grammar of a language, systematical thinking might connect to music (theory-wise) and maths, too?I like that thought... For the grammar of a language, systematical thinking might connect to music (theory-wise) and maths, too?I like that thought, Anessa! And I agree, except logic always applies to maths whereas with grammar ... :? Nevermind, your point is systematic thinking and with that I concur...

...Having too many, won't start counting but just the one that came to mind: People directly standing (outside) in front of the train/bus doors (and often seem to have turned to salt pillars) when they know passengers are going to get off.People who energetically cough all the time into all directions without covering their mouth with something (mask, handkerchief, whatever) and spreading their illness, especially in closed spaces like public transport/waiting rooms where one cannot evade. This contamination is so unnecessary and affects other people's lives (especially those with weaker immune systems), although it can be avoided easily with a little mindfulness of a few people.

...I find Arden Green Tea a splendid choice for airplanes, Cincy, especially thinking of long-distance flights, would be a welcomed fragrance to smell :)Many of the flankers are also still on my to-test list. A pity some are already discontinued.Thank you for sharing, too. I had been thinking about Tommy Girl, always nice when tested, but I read about a suspected reformulation and the scent being changed very much.

...Anessa, nice to see my E. Arden - Green Tea is on the list. My travel airplane fragrance...

...It seems the list of popular perfumes aren't much different in many countries (not least thanks to the common marketing of major brands). I found one listing of 10 popular fragrances in 2017 for women (~mid 20s):10.Chance Eau Tendre9. Ferragamo Incanto Charm8. CK Eternity7. Jill by JIll Stuart6. Lanvin Me L'Eau (Eau de Toilette)5. Lanvin Eclat d'Arpège4. Bvlgari pour Homme3. Marc Jacobs Daisy Dream2. Miss Dior (2012) (Eau de Parfum)1. Roses de ChloéFrom the list of online best selling perfumes Dec. 2017, descending:Lanvin - Eclat d'ArpègeE. Arden - Green TeaHermès - Un Jardin sur le NilBvlgari - Omnia CrystallineD&G - Light BlueFerragamo - Incanto ShineChloé EDPLanvin - Jeanne LanvinGucci - Rush2Alain Delon - Samourai WomanGrès - Cabotine RoseFerragamo - Incanto CharmAnna Sui - Sui DreamsGucci - GuiltyJennifer Lopez - StillChanel - ChanceJo Malone, Goutal, Santa Maria Novella are also among the women's popular brands. Considering the high humidity and the existence of the expression "scent pollution"(pun on "environmental pollution/public nuisance"), the preference of lighter fragrances still seems to dominate. Also, solid perfumes (traditional), portable gel fragrances (applied with tips), fragrance-focused fabric softeners (e.g. developed as to unfold the scent with movement over the course of the day), as well as hair&body mists are apparently becoming more popular/widespread than 'perfumes'.

...Mia, I'm generally very "heavy-mouthed" and have always admired those who are so well-spoken :)I find your observation regarding the correlation of the three fields very interesting! For the grammar of a language, systematical thinking might connect to music (theory-wise) and maths, too? Parfummaniac, I would be very glad if I could write such reviews in German like you do! Dutch is an interesting language to study, especially if one knows German.The dialects in Japan are like completely different languages so that you'd have to learn new. There are subtitles in films when people speak dialects, too. I am from the capital city which belongs to the Central East, and had difficulties when interpreting for people from other regions.

...you for the compliment, Anessa! If so, aren't you too?Anyway, I think above hypothesis maths, language and musical ability are all correlated quite interesting but don't agree...

...I can imagine the jigsaw puzzle having that effect, Cincy (except for the current one).It used to be the same for me with the Sudoku or a bit of handcrafting (only beginner things, but I used to love listening to audio books while stitching etc.). Especially just handling with threads in pretty colours was soothing. A Sudoku was useful when one has to wait hours somewhere.As for the pattern, yes, that would be a great idea with perfume bottles! Or even the beautiful ads from the last centuries. I could imagine a puzzle company that launches a series like "The World's Historical Perfumes" or "Perfume Posters" would find quite a few fans here on Parfumo. For the chemistry-inclined ones, maybe nicely arranged formulae for a few chosen perfumes or flowers.The beautiful pictures by the members here would be great motifs for puzzles, I'm sure :)I used to purchase a few handcraft kits from abroad, also from the USA, the companies there have such lovely patterns and ideas, just a pleasure to look at.

...love Jigsaw puzzles Anessa. They seem to keep the stress level down, at least they did until I tackled this one. I have one on the table at least once a month. We need to get...

...I have been putting a puzzle together for the last week. It is a winter scene, with snow, trees, horses and a general store. So therefore white, blue, and browns. Boringggggggggg and hard. And with the weather we are having I much rather be working on a beach scene with the ocean, sunbathers amid beautiful colored umbrellas. "Sigh:9b44307fed]It's been years I had done any jigsaw puzzles, Cincy, and it's funny because I was just thinking about one before I read your post :) I love doing Sudoku ("Number Place"), though, and the picture version as well.I do have something similar, despite it being far from any challenge - a very simple counted x-stitch motif I've been trying to finish for years now, a shop with brightly lit windows in a snowy town corner. It's not really large and got more colours than your puzzle for sure, but still, I don't get far with the brown nuances for the building part.As for the thread topic, the things I'm occupied with mostly aren't really exciting to be mentioned. Next would be writing some mails.

...Sorry I missed your post here (from last year...) and also, thank you for your kind words, Mia! But then, you better would not have/hear me speak German when I am tired ;)I am fluent in Japanese and used to do some interpreting, but I do not consider myself "proficient" in that language neither.By the way, you are someone who proves again what I had assumed in my previous post; people gifted with verbal expression are skilled in any language, no matter native or foreign.

...English and German are both fine, Anessa! Aren't you fluent in Japanese also?Another Don Quixote here, btw., doing poorly at my attempts to revive French (and Russian...

...you for your kind and thoughtful reply, dear Anessa! And a merry Christmas to you too! :)Some food for thought, your bon-vivant analogy (pun intended ;)).Although a firm believer in inevitable change...

...Dear Mia, Thank you for many interesting points and in-depth analysis with background information.I cannot contribute much to the discussion, I'm afraid, since I quit Facebook about 10 years ago when it became more and more "cluttered" for my taste. Even now, I feel somewhat too stupid to navigate there through all the options and being spammed with info unasked for. I have not looked into any perfume discussion groups there. However, from this viewpoint, I can only imagine, for one, the 'instant gratification' you mentioned, including the 'being served fast' as the reason for people's preference of FB over a platform like Parfumo. Fast Food/Takeaway with huge picture icon buttons vs. (I wouldn't say Slow Food, but) having a nice lunch course chosen from a menu card, while seated at a window overlooking the river.The other point which certainly isn't new but I'd mention again would be the question of responsibility and commitment. The larger the number of anonymous people that can just open an account as many as wished, delete and create new ones without any control (IP etc.), the more will be enticed to just 'register' for throwing in some remarks without taking responsibility. In this regard, platforms like Parfumo and Basenotes seem to have a strict rule, whereas some other openly allows multiple accounts under unreal identities. The latter would boast huge daily access, but at the cost of integrity and quality.I cannot think what should be changed about Parfumo to become even more 'compatible' with the FB population. Perhaps I regard the matter as the difference between people that love reading books in quiet corners and those that feel their concentration fade away after 3 lines and never could finish one book in their life (like my great-aunt says about herself).Btw, Merry Christmas!

...Sherapop:No. Mathematical, language, and musical ability are all correlated. :)Yes, that is what my math teacher also used to say, teaching music and English as well :) (the math part of my brain seems to have a defect, though.)As for the language part, I am not good in any language. I speak German fluently, but I lack many vocabularies and still struggle with the right noun marker! I'm far from being a fluent English speaker.Latin at school, but long forgotten almost everything. In hindsight, I should've taken French. I utterly failed in my several attempts at learning it, but feel I should tackle it again (like Don Quixote).All in all, bits here and there, but none which I could conscientiously declare as "my fluent language". Comments are often easier for me to write in English though, than in German.The verbal expression wasn't gifted to me, regardless of the language. I think someone eloquent and skilled in one language will be well-spoken in a foreign language as well (as seen with many authors), than someone who generally struggles with verbal communication.