People have tried nearly everything in the world of dating in the quest to find the right partner. Fancy clothes, the hottest dance moves, and the fastest car have long played a role in quest to attract a mate. Given the mixed and often unpredictable results of such an approach, people have begun to examine the exact science behind the concept of attraction. As such, the latest fad in dating is partially based on science.
In 2010, the pheromone party was born. Essentially, party attendees are encouraged to bring a well-worn t-shirt, which are then labeled and placed in sealed bags, sorted by sex. Members of the opposite sex are then invited to smell the t-shirts belonging to the opposite sex, and potential partners are matched up based on people’s reactions to individual t-shirts.
The parties are new to Los Angeles, having stated in New York two years ago, but the science isn’t entirely new. The fragrance industry has been aware of the role of pheromones for a long time and have incorporated that research into their product development.
For best results, party attendees are encouraged to minimize the use of fragrances and to cut back on the consumption of spicy foods while preparing their t-shirts, as these factors are believed to skew the final product. Whether or not pheromone parties become a long-term staple in the dating world remains to be seen. But, a scientific approach certainly can’t be any worse than a lame pickup line.