One night, as we were about to hit the sack, my son asked me: Mommy, why are my armpits emanating a metallic smell?

He's almost 14, that age when many bodily changes take place. I plunged into a lecture about growing up, puberty, hormones, the works. When I finished, his only comment was: "How do I get rid of this smell?

Again, a lecture about cleanliness and using deodorants or the always reliable tawas.

Son: HOw many days will I be using deodorants before the smell's finally gone?

Me: Maybe forever.

Son: But I have been scrubbing my entire body each time I take a bath.

(He takes a bath at least twice a day. He also rubs alcohol on his armpits, his way of getting rid of the metallic smell).

Me: It's not enough. You still need deodorants.

(He finally slept)

I think we're never free from those lotions or sprays or whatever so as to not emit that "metallic smell." 

Wonder what our forefathers use when deodorants were not in vogue yet.