I grab a cup coffee from a shop and it’s ruined because the barista is wearing cologne or perfume that inevitably has gotten on the cup and it’s all I can smell when I take a sip. I guess 2 things, this means 1 they haven’t thoroughly washed their hands, and 2 I can’t drink the coffee because it smells so bad and I have to throw it out. Not sure why, but I haven’t had this happen with any other type of food/drink, just coffee.
Could it be hand lotion that you are smelling?
Those paper cups (and sleeves) have a tendency to dry one’s hands out if you work with them all day…