what the smell is saying

I move to overtake him on the pavement and am pulled up when I enter the cloud of his smell. I look closer and notice the stain on the back of his T-shirt and his uncared-for wispy hair. I wonder what the smell is saying - 'it's better for me if you stay back', or 'it's better for you if you stay back'. Or maybe it's too tired or broken down to say anything.