Getting me an asthma attack just from the still image.

The only way out is through the perfume department
...I don't get it. What is this?
The perfume/cosmetics section of a department store (Macy's, J.C. Penny, etc.) Typically located near shopping mall gallery entrances to force people to walk past it to get elsewhere in the store.
It's less common to see stores intentionally laid out this way these days, I think.
An airport
What's so bad about it? I don't mind them.
It's basically forced advertising meant to get you to buy. These practices also eat away at the shared transit spaces.
Yeah, but it's 25% cheaper than a hypothetical store that sells it at 328% the price of my local supermarket.
Meh. I have only bought stuff that I needed at airports.
Have you heard about the concept of hostile architecture? This is the same concept but applied at trying to get you to buy
Thought it was from Shanghai'ed.
Paris international airport does this. The path to the terminals is literally through a CHANEL store in the airport. Silver lining: the perfume may make you choke but at least it covers the smell of Paris lol
I hate CDG for this. Want to buy a €7500 Mont Blanc pen with matching tie clip? They got you. Need a €15000 Armani suit? There's three stores clamouring for your business. Matching set of Versache ski goggles, gloves and balaclava? Just swipe that gold card right here, Sir.
Want a fucking burger? A cup of coffee? A coke? What are you, fucking nine? Fuck right off with that shit you goddamn slob.
thats why you arrive via train from another country. you will only experience this at the exit of the building. the parfume is piss
Eli5, anyone ?
This is the perfume area of a department store, which were often located near one of the major entrances.
Walking through it is usually a bombardment of different smells, and it can be a lot.
The joke is that you have to go through the horrible perfume tunnel to get to where you want to go inside the store (or the mall, if connected). It can be especially bad around the winter holidays and when it’s cold out, which is why everyone has long sleeves in the photo.
A lot of places you could go around, it was just a longer walk.
Specifically, this still is from an episode of SpongeBob called Shanghaied, also known as the You Wish Special because when it originally aired you could call in to vote on the ending.
Perfume section stinky, many scary people try to sell you things, can’t get to toys without going through them :(
Thank you
You’re welcome 🙏
For whatever reason, on every mall I've been to, you have to go through the perfume section to get between the escalator, interior doors, and exterior doors to leave the department store.
I have a very sensitive nose, and so this was torture for me. Even as an adult I would hold me breath the whole time.
Are you no longer an adult now that you are a pirate?
Like the rest of us, they just no longer visit department stores, or the mall.
Then what does being an adult have to do with it?
I was also an adult the last time I visitted the mall, years-ago. Were you an adult the last time you went to a mall? Has that changed in the manner of "was an adult but now am not"? Is you a pirate now, or a Benjamin Button?
Would there be a difference had they been a child?
Yes. Children are often more sensitive to senses due to less exposure to block them out.
Interesting. I've found that I become increasingly sensitive as I continue to age.
I do not understand.
... As an adult, I would ...
The past tense "was" implies that you are no longer an adult.
... hold me breath ...
Yarr, be ye holding yer breath, matey?
Combining these two pieces of information, I can infer that you have transformed from an adult ino a pirate. Congratulations.
It really doesn't though. Linguistic conventions don't override reality, and reality doesn't follow linguistic conventions. The reverse, however...
The law of humor supersedes all of these.
spongebob reference. I assume you arent 22-30.
I saw that episode live, I’m in my mid 30s.
Yea, but everyone of a certain age has the first three seasons of spongebob seared into their brains in a way that younger and older people don't.
People who are 30 were three when the first episode of SpongeBob aired. You are correct but still off by about 5 to 10 years in your age range.
Quit calling me old.

Corridor of witches. Highly likely you'll catch a hex or two on your way through, if you make it out at all.
This post is about capitalism.
Reasons I spent waaaay too much of my youth training at holding my breath.
I can smell this picture
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Don't be mean. I promise to do my best to judge that fairly.