Ode to a Proboscis: a photo essay on noses

The nose is often overlooked, but I think that ought to change. The nose is a most charming feature that adds character to the face. No one’s nose (or scent, interestingly enough) is just like anyone else’s. Upon some research, I found that:

The average human being is able to recognize approximately 10,000 different odors.

Your sense of smell is stronger in the evening than in the morning.

People recall smells with a 65% accuracy after a year, while the visual recall of photos sinks to about 50% after only three months.

Slugs have four noses.

The nose is such a wonderful organ that many countries have dedicated proverbs to the nose. The English advise,

“Don’t cut off your nose to spite your face.”

I was confused when the Thai instructed, “Don’t borrow another’s nose to breathe with,”

until the Vietnamese clarified, “You cannot breathe through another man’s nose.”

The Russian generously says, “Let everyone pick his own nose.” (These quotes have nothing to do with the persons picture they are under...just fyi)

One of my favorites, however comes from Tibet:

“Don’t notice the tiny flea in the other person’s hair and overlook the lumbering yak on your own nose.”

Several countries cite ways of testing your luck with your nose.

In Israel:  “An unlucky man falls on straw, but splits his nose from a hidden stone.”

In Germany: “He who is born to misfortune stumbles as he goes, and though he falls on his back will fracture his nose.”

In Poland:  The real unlucky one will sprain his thumb when he blows his nose.

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“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” ~Psalm 139:14