Overpowering smells in childhood

A child's sense of smell is so much more acute than an adult's, that the child experiences his environment in ways that are very different - and sometimes the opposite.  

In a couple of week's time the Cow Parsley will dominate much of the English countryside, especially hedgerows. I now experience its smell as pleasantly sweet; but in the years I was walking to school along (very) narrow pavements alongside hedges, I was so overpowered by the smell of Cow Parsley that it made me feel horribly nauseated. 

We had some family friends who lived in an "architect designed" modern house up above Torbay in Devon; and I dreaded our visits because - to my young nose - their house smelled so horrible. 

The house was perfectly clean and well maintained; so I assume that the smell was probably something to do with its being made with "modern" materials, perhaps concrete and plastics; and perhaps also the presence of new and trendy furnishings? 

Another bane of my young life was when my Father smoked a cigarette in the car; and we kids were sitting in the back seats. 

I was always slightly prone to car-sickness (for example I could not read a book when travelling - and there was no car radio - so I was always bored stupid); but the added smell of smoke, and the fact that British cars in those days had no ventilation (except for windows, which could not be opened at speed due to the buffeting) meant that the back of the vehicle was horribly stuffy at all times. 

Add cigarette smoke; and you get sheer torture. 

I suppose this demonstrates the problem of sensitivity to the features of one's environment. Acute senses will pick-up lovely smells, and thereby enhance one's life - but they also do the opposite when the smell is disliked. 

A receptive musician can appreciate good music, but is horribly tormented by the garbage anti-music that is imposed by so much of our modern world. 

And one who gets profound enjoyment from beautiful architecture will almost be crushed by the usual run of public buildings and cityscapes.