Are there people who don’t like compliments?
Maybe there are, but I’ve not met anyone who doesn’t like compliments.
Even shy people who don’t like being noticed appreciate it when they are complimented.
In short, an average human being loves compliments!
So when a man tells a woman she smells good, what does it really mean?
“I love your smell” or “You smell good” is a good compliment, but could there be more to it?
Let’s find out.
When a Man Tells a Woman She Smells Good: 11 Things It Means
1. He’s Attracted to You:
Forgive me for saying this, but a lot of men are selfish!
They could be so stingy with their attention that they won’t spare you a look, let alone a compliment unless they like you.
So when he says you smell good, it might be his way of showing he’s attracted to you.
It’s like saying, “Hey, I notice you, and I like it!”
Scent plays a big role in attraction.
Isn’t that why we spend so much on perfumes and colognes?
In fact, there are perfumes that are seductive and can attract the opposite sex.
Heck, there’s a reason Victoria’s Secret Pure Seduction Body Mist is rated by over 100,000 women on Amazon.
So yes, take it as a hint that a guy might compliment your smell because he’s attracted to you.
2. He’s Being Flirty:
Flirting is a natural part of human interaction, especially between a man and a woman who are attracted to each other.
If a guy is flirting with you, he’ll make sure to compliment your looks, hair, outfit, and yes… your scent too.
Flirting is like fishing.
He throws the bait (compliment) out there, hoping you’ll bite (respond).
I know being complimented for smelling good is a nice compliment, but it’s also kind of intimate.
I’m not sure I’d tell a guy I don’t really know he smells good.
If a man tells you that, and he’s not your brother or best friend or boss, he might be trying to flirt with you.
3. He’s Being Genuine:
Some people throw compliments around like confetti.
But when a man tells a woman she smells good, he might actually mean it.
You may indeed smell good, and he couldn’t help but let you know.
This is especially true if other people, including women, have already commented on your scent.
Even you know you smell good.
So, he might be stating a fact: you smell good for real.
It’s a pure compliment, no strings attached.
4. He’s Trying to Impress You:
Men often try to impress women they’re interested in.
Sometimes it’s by showing off their fancy car or good looks, and other times it’s by complimenting them.
He might think that telling you that you smell good will make you like him more.
I don’t blame him.
He’s only trying to make an effort towards likability.
Good compliments usually elicit a positive response from everyone, including women.
I mean, when someone compliments you, you’re likely to smile and be happy.
That positive feeling can be transferred to him, which can lead to a more favorable impression.
5. He Wants to Start a Conversation:
Compliments are often used as conversation starters.
If a guy compliments your scent, it could be his way of breaking the ice and starting a conversation with you.
He might ask what perfume or body wash you’re using or even just strike up a conversation about scents in general.
This is a great opportunity for him to get to know you better and see if you have anything in common if he’s single and searching.
Or married and trying to flirt or cheat. *rolls eyeballs*
6. He Appreciates Your Effort:
Smelling good is not easy!
If it were, we wouldn’t have so many people smelling like they’ve been rolling in cow dung.
So when a man compliments your scent, it could be because he appreciates the effort you put into smelling good.
There’s so much that goes into smelling good, not just wearing a nice perfume.
It could be your hair care, skincare, laundry detergent, body wash, etc.
If you wear a nice perfume on a smelly body or hair, the perfume won’t do much.
Smelling good is a thorough job, and you can’t use perfumes, no matter how sweet, to mask bad smells.
7. He’s Reminiscing:
Our sense of smell is closely linked to memories.
A certain scent can bring back memories and emotions from our past, sometimes without us even realizing it.
I was at a perfume store recently, and when I got a whiff of Tom Ford’s Ombre Leather Spray, I was taken back to my first year in college when a friend wore that scent.
I had such strong memories and feelings attached to the scent.
In fact, I sent a message to my friend telling him that I just remembered him because of a perfume.
Your smell can make him feel nostalgic enough to elicit a compliment.
8. Common Interest in fragrances:
It’s very normal to notice things or strike up a conversation about things you’re interested in or have good knowledge about.
For example, if you’re a perfume enthusiast, it’s easy to bond with someone who shares the same interests or to notice when someone is wearing a really good one.
I am a book lover, so I’m likely to compliment someone who’s reading a book I also love or strike up a conversation about it.
When a man comments on a woman’s scent, it could be because he has a personal interest or knowledge of fragrances.
It’s like two people discovering they both enjoy Italian cuisine and then diving into a conversation about their favorite pasta dishes.
So, complimenting your smell here goes beyond just a casual remark.
It’s an invitation to share knowledge and experiences related to fragrances.
Maybe he recognizes the perfume you’re wearing and wants to discuss it further, or perhaps he’s curious about different scents and sees this as an opportunity to learn more.
9. Boosting Confidence:
Compliments go a long way to boost our confidence, especially in this age of social media, where we constantly compare ourselves to others.
On Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and other platforms, we see perfectly curated photos of people with perfect bodies, outfits, makeup, and hair.
There’s always a reminder that we are imperfect, and it’s easy to fall into the trap of feeling inadequate.
But receiving a genuine compliment can remind us that we are beautiful in our own unique way and that we don’t need to compare ourselves to others.
It’s a powerful reminder to love ourselves just as we are, and some men are helping us achieve that.
10. Spreading Kindness:
Compliments are also a simple way to spread kindness and positivity in the world.
In a time where there is so much negativity and hate online, giving someone a genuine compliment can make their day brighter and restore their faith in humanity.
It may seem like a small gesture, but it can have a big impact on someone’s life.
Last year on TikTok, a guy left a really nasty comment on one of my videos.
It was so nasty that I had to look through my gallery to remind myself that I was a pretty lady, regardless of what he said or whatever society thinks is acceptable.
A guy who compliments your good smell without ulterior motives is spreading kindness, especially when you’re having a bad day.
We all have the power to make someone’s day with just a few kind words.
11. Breaking Gender Stereotypes:
Society has always had certain expectations for men; they should be strong, emotionless, and always in control.
However, these traditional stereotypes are slowly being broken, thanks to some brave men who are challenging them.
It takes a guy who is in tune with his emotions to compliment a woman’s smell without feeling uncomfortable or embarrassed.
As you can see, it can mean different things when a man tells a woman she smells good.
Only a man knows his intention when giving a compliment, but compliments should come from a pure and genuine place.
So ladies, if a man tells you that you smell good, take it as a simple act of kindness and don’t read too much into it, except his actions further show that he wants more.