Power of Breath Mints: No Garlic Before the Big Date

Power of Breath Mints: No Garlic Before the Big Date

When you are dating, it may seem like a no-brainer to avoid eating onions or garlic before you get close to someone you might want to kiss. Sadly, many people don't follow this basic rule of dating etiquette. While I admit that onions and garlic have many wonderful health benefits, they can irrevocably damage your potential love life with one simple exhalation.

There is one exception I've found to this rule, and I still may be wrong about it: if both of you eat the offending food, neither of you notice the other's bad breath. Do this at your own risk, people, and be sure to brush your teeth first! Actually, only do this if you are in an established, wonderful relationship. Better to swear off any food that creates a hygiene problem on the day you plan to go on a date or be in a social situation.

This information comes from Wikipedia: "Garlic is known for causing halitosis as well as causing sweat to have a pungent 'garlicky' smell which is caused by Allyl methyl sulfide (AMS). AMS is a gas which is absorbed into the blood during the metabolism of garlic; from the blood it travels to the lungs (and from there to the mouth causing bad breath) and skin where it is exuded through skin pores. Washing the skin with soap is only a partial and imperfect solution to the smell."

OK, so only eat garlic when you don't plan to be around others, since breath mints won't cover it. I have been in dance classes where we rotate partners. I know immediately if a man has eaten garlic, even when we are only in closed dance position, with our faces about 12 inches apart. We're not anywhere close enough to kiss and still I can smell the garlic on him.

Not that I want to kiss him; I'm happily married. That's not the point. The point I'm trying to make is that if you want to make a good impression on someone in a social situation, forego the garlic. What if you see the girl of your dreams across a crowded room, and you cross the room to introduce yourself smelling of garlic? You know the saying, "You never get a second chance to make a first impression."