Columnist Lisa Ferguson: Sun Lite for Aug. 4, 2003

Lisa Ferguson

Monday, Aug. 4, 2003 | 8:21 a.m.

Lisa Ferguson's Laugh Lines column appears Fridays. Her Sun Lite Column appears Mondays. Reach her at lmsferguson@yahoo.com.

Crave the flav

Time to break out the mints, chewing gum, mouthwash and flavored floss, and do or chew whatever it takes to get yourself geared up for Wednesday's celebration of Fresh Breath Day.

After researching this anti-odor observance, we at Sun Lite must report we're stumped as to when and why it came to be. But a day honoring fresh breath can't be bad, right?

Which flavor to freshen with? Now, that's the question. It was tackled recently by the makers of Listerine PocketPaks breath strips those weird, cellophane-ish mints that have invaded the junk-food shelves of supermarket checkout lanes. Turns out a person's flavor preference says a lot about, well, their flava.

According to Alan R. Hirsh, a doctor and neurological director with (we're not making this up) the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago, people choose their favorite flavors based on taste and smell sensations, along with their emotional experiences. Listerine turned to the foundation for help in compiling its "Flavor Personality Profiles":

Spearmint devotees are typically "authoritative, powerful and take-charge" folks; spiffy dressers and natural leaders, who are "articulate, yet sensitive to the criticism of others." They're most compatible with peppermint fans, who are intellectual sports fans in need of their "own space," which they are most willing to share with spearmint and/or cinnamon lovers.

"Fun-loving and playful" cinnamon fans are big flirts. They dig adventure and are "extremely stylish and chic." Bubble-gum zealots are controlling, "action-oriented" and a wee bit impulsive, while fruit-flavor fanatics are "homebodies" who favor neutral colors and strive to make others happy.

Foul mouths

One group that is likely to be thrilled to learn about Fresh Breath Day is teens. At least, that's what the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company makers of Winterfresh Thin Ice, yet another cellophane-ish mint would have you believe.

The company earlier this year conducted an Internet survey of exactly 706 teens (age 13 through 18) nationwide, and learned that when it comes to making a good impression, the fresh-breath-o-meter is the first thing 85 percent of them use to pass judgment.

Having a face full of zits isn't as big a turn-off as sporting bad breath, according to 29 percent of the teens. Even 24 percent said they could handle a person's goofy laugh better than the stench emanating from his or her mouth.

And, like, 96 percent of young people said having fresh breath is "totally important" when you're on a date, at prom (90 percent) trying to land a job (83 percent) or just chilling with friends (92 percent). Ladies and gentlemen, the future of America.

Get to steppin'

We aren't sure what their breath smells like, but the people of Hawaii should rest easier knowing at least their feet aren't funky.

This summer the Aloha State was designated the "Sweetest-Smelling Feet State" by the makers of what else? Odor-Eaters, because its residents' "per capita consumption" of the company's foot-care products is the highest in the county more than double that of the national average.

Pennsylvania tootsies came in second place, with cheesy Wisconsin dogs rounding out the top three. Nevada hot-footed it into the No. 10 spot, while Mississippi dragged its feet and finished last.