I had the first inklings of a problem with fragrance nearly 13 years ago. I was working in a small office as the receptionist and after Christmas, noticed that every time one of the ladies walked by, I started coughing and getting a headache.
I walked in to her one day and said, "Hey, I know this sounds odd, but I think I'm allergic to your perfume."
She mentioned it was a Christmas gift, but if it made me uncomfortable, she would stop wearing it.
THAT is what I call a sensitive and caring individual. It was a concern to her that I was uncomfortable and she helped arrive at a solution.
It is unfortunate that the two women at the last job I ever had, especially the one who KNEW how sick her perfume was making me, decided to treat it as though it were all 'in my head' and actually make fun of me. One time in particular sticks like glue to my memory.
She worked in accounting and really had no business in our part of the office on a regular basis. Rather than taking my discomfort and progressively deteriorating health into mind, she made it a point to arrive in our office, go directly to the young lady at the desk next to mine and just stand there and chat. As I would start to cough, even though she knew after a while that it was the perfume because she had been informed as such, I would catch her glancing in my direction and actually smirking at me! She never behaved in this manner when the boss was around or when she thought anyone was actually paying attention.
On one occasion, she walked in and within a few minutes, I got up to go outside and clear my lungs, my chest was so tight. As I walked out, she actually walked out about six feet behind me and started to give little, fake coughs behind me. I was flabbergasted. I could not believe my ears. I walked out, trying to ignore her, but the ABSOLUTE childishness she had shown in those few moments showed me exactly the kind of person she truly was underneath the person she pretended to be to others.
I had rarely met anyone in my life who was so absolutely nasty a person with a face that would smile and be so nice when coworkers or the boss were around.
There were others in the building that complained to me about her fragrance and how powerful it was, but as I mentioned before, they wouldn't come forward for thought that they would be chastised for doing so.
When I walked away from that position, I didn't realize just how much that particular person [or the company by ignoring my complaints], had changed my life simply by ignoring my symptoms, which were VERY obvious and making it a point of hurting me every day. This from a person who didn't know me, the person I am or want to get to know me. She could not have hurt me or changed my life any more had she taken a gun and shot me outright. The cruelty this woman showed to me on a daily basis was just hateful.
How can you hate a person or be so cruel to them when you don't even know them. Someone who has never done anything to you and would never consider doing anything to hurt you. Who doesn't know you, who wouldn't normally have anything to do with you unless it is in a work [or perhaps a long term social] situation?
How does this woman justify in her own mind, being so hateful and childish and who couldn't care for or respect anyone when she can justify her actions under any circumstance? How could she? How can a person, consciously hurt another person without reason?
These are the big questions that I am CERTAIN every MCS sufferer has asked themselves, their family members and perhaps their doctor or clergy member.
How?
WHY?
If this person has done this to me, I am certain I will not be the last nor was I the first.
I feel sad for her and especially for her next victim.
Even more, I feel sorry for the company who allowed her to continue to torment me after I repeatedly gave them instances of her abuse.
How many others are suffering at the hands of a cruel and ignorant co-worker?
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