There is a very lovely chap in my place of work who unfortunately has very bad body odour - he is always well presented but it smells like he has never washed a shirt. We would just ignore it, but it can make you fee quite queasy if you have to be close to him for any length of time. What can we do, we desparately don't want to hurt his feelings - but is honesty the best policy?
2006-06-16 02:07:31 · 38 answers · asked by peggy*moo 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
I worked in a call center & the guy that sat a couple cubicles down always smelled of urine. Everyone in the dept. complained to my boss and she in turn had a meeting with him about it & it was never an issue again. I would personally recommend that someone of the same gender discuss it though, since it would be especially embarassing to hear from the opposite sex, but in my opinion, someone in management should bring it up.
2006-06-16 04:45:17 · answer #1 · answered by Michelle L 2 · 6⤊ 1⤋
Continually spray deodorant around your desk or buy an air freshener to put near your workstation! I had the same problem with someone last year and ended up getting her some perfume for her birthday as a hint.. seems to have worked so far!
Being honest though, I'd much rather have someone tell me if I was smelly so I could do something about it! Some people can take it completely the wrong way however so usually tact is the best answer.
2006-06-16 02:28:43 · answer #2 · answered by bigscary_monster 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well being that it is a co worker you should have a manager speak to him. They should go over the dress code and while doing such explain the importance of personal hygiene. Tell this person that others have mentioned that he has body odor and to please try to correct the problem. But I don't think a peer should say it because it can turn into a HR situation if he gets offended and he just may. Or do what I do when someone has BO, I put a dab of sweet smelling lotion right under my nose.
2006-06-16 02:21:46 · answer #3 · answered by cutiepie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think sopmeone should tactfully tell him and give him a deoderant. Some people wash but without deoderant they will still smell. I am sure he would rather someone tell him than have all the office talk about him. You could start the conversation by asking if you smell and what deoderant does he use etc.
2006-06-17 10:49:27 · answer #4 · answered by butterfly55freedom 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only way to do this with tact is to take him aside out of ear shot of anyone else. Than calmly ask him what is the smell you keep smelling about him. Is their a medical reason or should you bathe more often and use of a body deodorant be helpful.
2006-06-16 02:19:15 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
THis has happened to me. My neighbor, he comes over every now and again... he never cleans himself. I smell him before I see him.
OK, here's what I did, I said, "John, here I think you need this." I handed him a bar of soap. Right to the point. NOT for him. he came over again , funkifying my yard. I told my husband he has to say something.
So he did, told him straight out. "You are stinky, go take a shower , or something. Here's some toothpaste, while your at it".
He doesn't stink anymore. But My advice is to make certain that a guy tells him. It is something about the gender thing. This will make it more comfortable for him.
2006-06-16 04:44:27 · answer #6 · answered by missstressjade 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well for the sake of yourself and others - you might want to kindly offer him some deoderant!
um, it's kind of hard to do this politely, since it's very embarrasing for the smelly guy. but yeah, it might be nicer to let him know. just don't make it a public announcement, you know? maybe take him aside and tell him evene though it's very awkward. it might hurt his feelings but it's better that a friend tells him (assuming you two are friends). just be honest. or you could use that other person's idea and keep air freshner close in reach. maybe spray some on him too :)
good luck
2006-06-16 03:11:59 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
How about you have an office raffle and he wins a bottle of detergent, fabric softener, good smelling body wash and some deodorant. The someone can tell him that is their favorite brand of body wash and they can't wait for him to try it. If that doesn't work, I'd buy air freshener.
2006-06-16 02:11:24 · answer #8 · answered by AlphaFemale 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is he married? Does anyone know his wife well enough to bring it up to her discreetly?
We had a guy like that at an office I worked in years ago, and nobody was ever able to figure out how to deal with it. Occasionally someone would leave soap or deodorant on his desk anonymously, but he never seemed to react to that.
2006-06-16 02:12:38 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes it is best to be honest find someone in work he can talk to openly and just say to him look your a lovely guy and you always look really smart but you do seem to have a little problem with body odour!..it will be embarrassing for everyone for a while but he will thank you for it in the end.. your a better friend to tell him than to laugh behind his back!
good luck!
2006-06-16 02:29:28 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋