text: why do people stink?   bacteria is usually the cause of body odor. bacteria produce gases as a waste product that can have an unpleasant odor. when we take baths and use deodorant, these bacteria are washed away/killed. body odor is natural, but sometimes can be a symptom of an underlying problem. here is an article that can explain more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/body_odor  body odor is also a very social issue. some cultures do not bathe as regularly as those in western cultures. this does not make them gross by their standards, but may offend us. the nose gets used to certain smells over time. just remember, no one smells like a rose garden naturally. everyone stinks, including you ane me.