There is a guy at the office where I'm doing some consulting now, and he stinks. But I'm no more inclined to tell him that he stinks than I am to tell a certain woman colleague of mine that she uses WAY too much perfume.

I might, however, one day work up the guts to tell the leading goal-scorer on my hockey team that his pads (or something) smell revoltingly bad, even when compared with other hockey gear.

In other words, I'd tell a friend that he stinks, but I wouldn't tell a colleague the same.

A total stranger and/or scientific equipment rates your aroma. Because in general, it's hard to smell yourself, and taboos can make it hard for your friends and coworkers to give honest feedback.