How do you tell someone they smell bad?

(3) On January 11, 2011 at 5:55 pm AnscrewbG [0] said:

The easiest way is to send them a stench notification through the stench informer. http://www.stenchinformer.com

(2) On September 12, 2009 at 8:55 pm MontanaMom [404] said:

Whether it's a co-worker or a friend, you have to pick your spot carefully. If I see an opening for a general comment on hygiene, here's my story. I say, " I have a deviated septum and this causes me to breathe thru my mouth when I sleep.No matter what I do I always feel kind of self-concious about my breath. My doctor suggested chlorophyll tablets. They're great. Not only do they help with bad breath, they help cut down on all kinds of body odors."

Hopefully this will start the other person thinking about their own particular problem. With a little luck , they may even ask questions. Then you can slip in some info about some medical conditions can cause various types of body odors, and may even indicate a particular illness. You may not even just "clear the air" for yoursrlf and friends and co-workers, you may save someone's health who has an undiagnosed medical condition.

(1) On July 19, 2008 at 1:44 am Laughingjo [10] said:

I agree, it's a tricky subject. When my employees smell I tend to say general hints to the whole team such as "Let's remember proper hygeine, team. Especially in the summer months." That usually makes everyone on my staff rush off and spray or wash or brush teeth at their break.

If you are not the boss, not a parent, not a relative, and not a friend to the offending person, you have to tread carfully. I often use this trick: I ask about myself in a confidential tone. Often I'll lean in and whisper "Can you help me? Do I smell bad?" and that makes the person take a whiff. Plus they trust you once you have confided your insecurity to them. The majority of the time, once they've told me I don't smell, they ask me to check their smell. I usually give a pretend whiff and say "well, only a bit." or "hey, it is hot after all!" And that is subtle enough to give them the hint that they need to fix their stench. Be really really subtle and polite in this situation. It's very embarrassing and offensive to tell someone about his/her body. Think of how you'd want to hear about it. Tact, deplomacy and delicacy are the way of dealing with bodily functions.

Best of luck--jo

Note: Nirel moved this to the answer of "How do you tell someone they smell bad?"

Sign in to add your own comment. (This only takes a few seconds.)