Other Your Senses

[White Masquerade]

Hello. I thought about it for myself and I'm curious to know how it is for you other users on RPN. What is your strongest/weakest sense? Have you ever thought about it or noticed anything while living life? I've noticed for me that my sense of touch is clearly the strongest, while my sense of smell is almost non-existent.


It's weird. I can feel how the wind blows across my skin, how hot the air is, am really sensitive to humidity in the air and how cold it is, can feel that small pre-rain droplets before those around me, can feel someone approaching me (?). Yet on the flip side, I can't smell most food unless I'm up close. I barely pick up on air fresheners, and smell something is burning either outside or on stoves long AFTER most other people. It's scary.


Anyone else have a clear winner and loser sense? I will put up a poll because I like to see the numbers and just a heads up, it will be public. So if you're more a private person, be aware. Last, if anyone has any reasons why this may happen (scientific =P, or best guess) go for it.


**I am really interested in knowing about users who have really good sight.

 

[Life.]

Mmmmmm hearing, I feel, is my best sense. And not in the manner that I can hear quiet conversations or the like but rather hear sounds that others don't hear. Or being able to differentiate sounds (mostly dog barks ). Otherwise most of my other senses are pretty much equal, depending on which one I want to focus enhancing more.


For sight, well since I'm wearing glasses it says a lot


But up close and when creating art I can say that my vision heightens slightly otherwise I'm useless without any types of lenses.

 

[White Masquerade]

Mmmmmm hearing, I feel, is my best sense. And not in the manner that I can hear quiet conversations or the like but rather hear sounds that others don't hear. Or being able to differentiate sounds (mostly dog barks ). Otherwise most of my other senses are pretty much equal, depending on which one I want to focus enhancing more.
For sight, well since I'm wearing glasses it says a lot


But up close and when creating art I can say that my vision heightens slightly otherwise I'm useless without any types of lenses.

Still good! I would count paying attention more with your ears, as hearing being strong. Touch is effortless, but I have to snap myself into actively using my hearing. I understand what you mean (^U^)

 

[Space Dingo]

My sense of taste is exceedingly strong. Sometimes I can pick out the taste of various ingredients in foods. I'm also one of those people who can tell the difference between Coke and Pepsi and off brands. Pepsi is sweeter than Coke and off brands tend to either be sweeter or not very sweet and often have a cinnamon-y or liquorice taste to them.


But on the other hand, I was born with bad hearing. It's hereditary. My father and paternal grandparents have had the same issue. It's bad enough to require a hearing aid but it needs to be cleaned in order to hear and I've procrastinated on scheduling an appointment with the audiologist. (I also am very sensitive to touch and one of the hearing aids make my inner ear itch, but this post is about one best sense and one worst sense and I've already mentioned a strong sense already)

 

[White Masquerade]

@radiochai


Woah! ( ) From how you're describing it, I'm suddenly thinking it rocks having excellent taste. This is cool. My taste is on the weaker side and I can only pick out, "this tastes like lemon so it must be Sprite. This taste like orange so it must be Sunkist. This doesn't taste like either, so it must be Coke." (>A>). Taste-test me the difference between Coke / Pepsi / Dr. Pepper...I couldn't tell you. Chai, that is seriously cool. I want to ask, do you eat anything in front of you or are you extremely picky about your food? Like it has to be cooked a certain way or have a certain quality ingredient??


About the hearing, wow, I hope the situation doesn't keep you from doing most things with no issue. No worries about multiple bad/good senses, say whatever you want. As you know now, my sense of taste is extremely lacking. My second best sense would be hearing.


Thank you for sharing though. Please answer me those questions about the taste. I am curious =)

 

[Servant]

I feel that my sense of smell is definitely my strongest sense, which I sometimes frankly hate. For one, I hate being near some scented materials (Specially cinnamon sticks). Also, walking through the city during summer is hell because of the trashcans...But heck, walking through a forest/a clean park is actually a pretty pleasant experience.


My weakest sense is definitely my sight simply because I need to wear contact lenses or else I can't see squat. All of my family, except for my eldest sister, actually wear glasses/contact lenses. As soon as I get the chance I will most likely take a laser eye surgery.

 

[White Masquerade]

@Servant


I get you on the bad-smelling things, but am a bit lost and jealous about the pleasant things. In the forest, does it feel good smelling nature? What's the experience? Is it damp? You smell the moss and wood?


What about the beach or on the ocean?? How is the salty, ocean air? I picture it smelling absolutely wonderful, but I want to know from you if you've ever had the chance.

 

[Servant]

@White Masquerade


To give you an idea I actually picked up jogging because of the forest scent. It just smells...fresh, you know? I find it to be extremely revitalizing and sometimes even soothing.


Now, the ocean can be pretty hit and miss for me. I am currently staying in "Punta del Este" and I find the smell of the ocean here to be a tat bit too salty (Nothing too annoying though) whereas I didn't mind the smell of the sea in California.

 

[White Masquerade]

@Servant


That is insane. You can smell salt ._. I'm over here, taking in deep breaths imagining breathing in "fresh" xD . I get the sense your body gets a massage. Like the inside of your chest. I am kind of get a good picture of it now. Thank you for sharing Serv! To me, that would seem like the most...satisfying of sense experiences. When you get the good smells of course ( )

 

[Space Dingo]

@White Masquerade


I am a picky eater. Some foods have to be cooked a certain way such as I can only stand burgers/steaks and the likes cooked rare. As rare as you can go without it becoming some sort of health issue of rawness. I think the bloodiness of the meat adds to the flavor. Other things, uuuh I'm very picky with vegetables. Like I'll only eat certain vegetables if they're chopped up and soaking up the juices of something. Also I can't eat tomatoes in big chunks. I can't stand big chunks or whole cherry/grape tomatoes in salads. I'll eat slices of tomatoes if I can sandwich it between basil and mozzarella/balsamic vinegar. And then there are things that aren't so much about the taste and more about the texture. I can tolerate beans if they are mixed in things, but I can't stand them as a prominent ingredient. Same goes for broccoli and string beans and the like. I hope that answers your question?


Also you mentioned how you don't have a strong taste? I often find that taste and smell are often linked. Since smell is part of what we taste when it comes to food... I believe?

 

[Negative Zone]

My eyesight was pretty good when I was younger but nowadays I have to wear glasses. My hearing is OK but it gets easily overwhelmed and in certain acoustic situations it's very difficult for me to hear people talking to me unless they face me. I think it's a side effect of how my brain processes things. For example, in big store like Walmart, Target, what have you. The background noise kind of blurs together into a wall of sound and picking out voices is difficult unless they're directed right at me. It's the same deal for all of my senses, now that I think about it. I'm very sensitive to textures with taste and touch, and a lot of times disliked textures will trigger my gag reflex. With smells I'm more easily overpowered by disliked ones than some other people seem to be.


I think if I had to pick a strongest sense I'd go for my hearing as the downsides with it are usually less uncomfortable.

 

[White Masquerade]

@radiochai


Yes. Thank you! That answers my questions! Lol, it must be a nightmare cooking for you (o'v'o). There's really nothing else I can say, except that your sense of taste is extremely cool. Between Servant's smell and your taste, I can't figure which would be funner to have.


Yes, yes, what you say about smell and taste is correct. I was thinking about that right after you posted the first time. I probably have something in my (olfactory?) system that I'm not aware of. Maybe a ton of mucus, or saliva somewhere?? I do feel that the tippy-tip back of my throat, is eternally stuffed. Maybe I'll try smelling some hot tea to see if anything happens.


@Negative Zone


Thank you for bringing that up too. Like Life was saying up top with her hearing, it does sound like a thing having to do with how the brain processes things. Everyone uses all senses, it's just in a different priority up top for people maybe? I see what you mean. As for your hearing, can you say, hear not even words, but whispers of somebody in another room/or at least pick it out? For your sight, can you give me an idea of what you could do when you were younger?

 

[FictionalReality]

My sense of taste and sight are pretty similar. I can differentiate between different tastes pretty well, even if it's something really subtle, and I see things that are super tiny. My parents always hated cleaning around me when I was younger, because I used to point out the smallest speck of dust and tell them they missed it.


I can't really hear very well. I'm mainly saying this because my brain seems to be able to make up random noises. Like, once I thought I heard one of my friends screaming, so I ran over and asked if they were ok. Apparently they didn't scream. Also, I sometimes don't hear what people say, or it takes me a while to process what they say.

 

[Negative Zone]

I think it's something that's fairly common for folks on the autistic spectrum. Like most of the time my hearing's fine but certain spaces and being in crowds just mucks it right up because there's so much going on or an unusual acoustic profile (very high ceiling, lots of shelves). We get all sorts of fun sensory interactions (note: may not actually be fun). Certain patterns can be kind of overwhelming to stare at, for instance. Some people are especially sensitive to touch or texture. The severity does vary, though. I wouldn't call myself an expert on sensory processing issues in any way. It isn't just limited to people on the spectrum, either.


As for my sight I don't remember anything special, but I've developed astigmatism in recent years. I don't think it was there or as severe before.

 

[White Masquerade]

@FictionalReality


Oh wow, hello INTJ. ENFP here ( ). For your hearing, I actually do believe you on that. I haven't experienced something your level, but something similar, like waking up and hearing birds tweet, but finding out there are no birds at all ._. Then again could have just been a final extension of my forgotten-about dream. Regarding your sight, can you explain a little bit more? I don't mean to sound silly, but the specks of dust, are they magnified to you? Do your eyes narrow in on things really well?? Do you know if you're something other than 20/20?


@Negative Zone


Good stuff. I don't want to touch on the autistic spectrum comment, only because that is a whole other conversation (a very tricky one too). And, understood. I will say it could have to do with maybe being a HSP person or an introvert, who supposedly are prone to brain-sensory overload, when things get too hectic. There are definitely a bunch of things to consider. Wonderful. I do thank you for sharing! Your comments have given me a few things to read about.

 

[FictionalReality]

@White Masquerade Kind of. It's less noticeable now, but things alway look bigger to me. Dust does look much bigger to me, as well, but only sometimes. Other times things can seem small and far away, though only when it's very bright outside, or I've just woken up.

 

[White Masquerade]

@White Masquerade Kind of. It's less noticeable now, but things alway look bigger to me. Dust does look much bigger to me, as well, but only sometimes. Other times things can seem small and far away, though only when it's very bright outside, or I've just woken up.

Got it. Thank you for sharing as well! I can't say I have a clear idea or feeling of really good eyesight just yet, but what you've given me is better than nothing at all. I pray you keep your good eyesight long into life.

 

[FictionalReality]

[QUOTE="White Masquerade]Got it. Thank you for sharing as well! I can't say I have a clear idea or feeling of really good eyesight just yet, but what you've given me is better than nothing at all. I pray you keep your good eyesight long into life.

[/QUOTE]
Thanks (:3)

 

[Jay Fox]

I have an incredibly strong sense of smell, so much so that I've previously been able to smell off food in the rubbish bin in the kitchen when I've been in my bedroom on a different floor. And not just pick up on it, but it be so strong and overwhelming that I can barely stand it.


(Note: I'm autistic so my stronger senses often tip into "overwhelming")


Hearing is also a strong one, and it gets even stronger when I'm feeling stressed. I can't deal with crowd noise either, and often have to wear ear plugs and headphones when I go outside.


I have a scented handkerchief to put over my nose when smells are too strong for me as well.


I guess my sense of taste is pretty strong as well- I didn't realise it was unusual to be able to tell the difference between Coke and Pepsi! It can be a problem, I used to get very frustrated as a kid between different shop's versions of the same food, or if somebody didn't make a meal EXACTLY how my parents did.


As for sight, that's pretty bad. I wear strong prescription glasses all the time.


I also consider my sense of touch to be bad: I have mobility issues and often feel numb or unable to feel sensation properly. I can't tell what temperature something is a lot of the time.

 

[White Masquerade]

@Jay Fox


Hey, hey, thank you for sharing a bit about yourself. Your response was very interesting. Seeing as smell is my weakest, I'm jealous of you =P. What you describe sounds magical. I hope it's not only bad scents you pick up, because that'd really suck. You able to pick up on good smelling air-fresheners or clean laundry from a good distance away (my favorite scented flavor by the way after bananas)? Regardless, I am excited reading your answer. It brings me into my next point.


The part about the difference between Coke and Pepsi. It is absolutely shocking right? When RadioChai posted she could tell the subtle differences, it was a HUGE slap in the face to me. I didn't know people could do stuff like that. It really gets me thinking about how we sometimes get so caught up in what we do, that we don't realize other people truly might not feel/see things the same way we do. A normal thing for somebody, seems like magic to someone else; what seems like magic to one, is so natural and normal to somebody else, that they don't make a fuss over it. It's...crazy.


Anyway, back to your post. For the hearing, you might be a highly-sensitive person (if those exist). I believe I've met quite a few of them and they do tend to block out too much stimulus or move somewhere less busy when it gets a bit much. I totally understand what your headphone thing.


For touch, on a playful/light note, I'm going to say, you're not missing much. When the temp is not to your liking. You feel it. You constanly have to remove layers, then put them back on when it gets too hot/cold. Scratching an itch feels REALLY good, but besides a few other things, awesome touch is bleh. I am really good at feeling minute vibrations..is that cool? =/


Again, thank you for sharing.

 

[TheBusDriver]

Really surprised that I'm not the only one that picked Touch/Sight, then again I'm probably not the only person who damaged their eyes staring a monitor. I do wear glasses so that automatically rules me out in the strong sight section, as for touch I would always feel for the smallest detail in whatever I'm touching. The rust of a metal fence or the fabric on my clothes, I just love feeling each detail on it and I love putting details of touch in my writing. I guess it's more of a personal preference than it is my strongest sense since I like to believe I have a strong nose for food.

 

[Varius]

Hmm.... It'd either be sight or taste as my strongest sense. Probably sight (which is ironic seeing as I wear glasses) and hearing would have to be my weakest.

 

[White Masquerade]

@TheBusDriver


Sorry, sorry. I completely missed this notification. I'll keep it short. =P I don't think sight being the weakest quite has to do with staring at a monitor so much xD . I think most is just genetics. However, I know how you feel with touch. *High-fives* Touch can be fun. Really fun. I haven't developed a like for the texture of things as you have, more for the sensation if that makes sense. It's a bit chilly here right now, so when I put on a coat and stick my arms inside, I LOVE the sensation of that little "room" of heat =P. Same thing when I get under the covers too.


About putting it into my writing, that is an excellent idea I'll try! Why not use what we are lucky to experience ( )


@Varius


Apologies to you too. I don't know much about glasses. What do you mean by what you said? Do your glasses make your sight better than 20/20? Is that possible?

 

[Varius]

I'm not sure if its possible, that's not my area of expertise. But I say its ironic because I usualy catching things better and see better in general than everyone else I'm around most of the time, and I'm the only one wearing glasses.

 

[marorda]

Enter the one with weak senses. My eyesight isn't really good. Got -6.5 in my left eye and -2.75 in my right. Opticians were surprised to see this difference is possible. But it's not my weakest sense. I was born without the sense of smell, i literally smell nothing at all. And this greatly affects my taste too.