Hands Smell Quote by Richard Feynman
““People’s hands smell very different—that’s why dogs can identify people; you have to try it! All hands have a sort of moist smell, and a person who smokes has a very different smell on his hands from a person who doesn’t; ladies often have different kinds of perfumes, and so on. If somebody happened to have some coins in his pocket and happened to be handling them, you can smell that.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: “Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman!” by Richard Feynman, 1997
Feynman explains that hands carry distinct scents from personal habits, substances, and activities, allowing dogs to differentiate individuals.
In simple terms: Hands have unique smells from habits and objects.
Key Takeaway
Observe how scent reveals personal details.
Themes
perception
biology
human behavior
Mood
curious
analytical
Type
observational
informative
When to use this quote
- detecting substances
- identifying individuals
- forensic analysis
- animal training
Key Concepts
olfaction
sensory discrimination
dog training
Questions to Reflect On
- How does scent influence social interaction?
- What other subtle cues reveal identity?
A Different Perspective
Scent can be misleading if hands are washed or gloves are worn.
![“[T]he very color of the air in the place I was born was different, the smell of the earth was special, redolent with memories of my parents.” quote by Natsume Sōseki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/668/natsume-s-seki-10250_home_t-he-very-color-of-the-air-in-the-place_1016676.jpg)
