My boss has the vilest breath that I've ever come across. Whenever we have to speak face to face I help myself to a breath mint and casually offer him one. He generally accepts, which makes the next few minutes bearable but doesn't take a hint. Apart from telling him outright, how can I let him know that he needs to do something about this?
2006-08-02 10:56:07 · 38 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
when you see him coming or have to meet with him put a clothes pin on your nose....when he asks tell him since you are my boss I really don't want to say for I feel it is not my place being in such a lowly position and not being nearly as great a person as you. When he presses the question say "dude your breath has eaten away all my nose hair and smells worse than a sack full of as$holes"
2006-08-02 12:36:59 · answer #1 · answered by jdhayman 5 · 6⤊ 1⤋
Keep offering him Those breath Mints. Try caring around A Tooth Brush And Tooth paste For When- Ever You have To Talk To Him, If He asks Why You have That With You Simply Reply That Your Breath And Teeth Are Your Number One Concern, And Hopefully He Will get The Point.
2006-08-02 11:06:18 · answer #2 · answered by Cas 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Put up articles in the breakroom about bad breath in the workplace.
Keep offering mints and gum to him and no one else. That last part is very important.
At the Christmas gift exchange, get him a a bottle of Listerine and some Tic Tacs.
2006-08-02 10:59:35 · answer #3 · answered by truthyness 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My boss had the same issue, and while it wasn't the vilest I've ever encountered, it was bad enough. Out of nowhere, I walked into his office and asked him if he wanted a mint. He looked bewildered for a second since we didn't have a meeting or any reason to talk otherwise.
He said, "A mint?"
I said, "Yes."
He said, "Should I?"
I said, "Trust me, you should."
He smiled and said "Oh!". I don't think I had to worry about his breath after that. And, I was never reprimanded :)
2006-08-02 11:05:26 · answer #4 · answered by flysidekk 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think leaving a note before or after hours. It could very well be a medical condition....sometimes stomach problems cause this. He really might not be aware. Leave a note saying something that's not offencive but to the point, perhaps some of those pocket listerines in the envelope with the note, they are discrete and really get the job done. If he doesn't care, then you won't see a change, if he does you will.
2006-08-02 11:04:16 · answer #5 · answered by smt1967 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In my opinion, what you are doing now is your only course of action.
Etiquette rule of thumb is if someone can correct the problem immediately, tell them. If they can not, don't.
Bad breath can be caused by so many things - from stomach problems to stinking thinking, in my opinion. Neither of those things are going to be corrected over night and all you will do is add being self conscious to his list of problems.
Of course, if you have the kind of relationship where you might ask him how to handle this problem with someone else, you might be able to use his own advice or even just take that opportunity to tell him then, if you really feel you must make him aware of it.
Peace!
2006-08-02 11:03:15 · answer #6 · answered by carole 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I just flat out told a friend of mine, we would go to the movies and I'd sit next to him, miserable because of the fog of bad breath I was sitting in. A tongue scraper is the best solution to the problem.
It's your boss so it's tricky, if it's a small company and you're close I would tell him. If it's a corporation or you aren't on a personal relationship, anonymous seems cruel, but it's not in the long run, it'll probably help him out.
2006-08-02 11:02:53 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The problem you descried sounds very serious. I would advise you to handle matter with tact and professionalism. Keep in mind that people suffering from halitosis rarely are related to the mouth; but diet; internal problems due to dehydration; and illness. Perhaps you could bring the subject in a confidential matter. Chances are you're not the only one suffering from his "hair curling, vomit inducing halitosis".
2006-08-02 11:44:38 · answer #8 · answered by Swordfish 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Invite him to go to lunch with you and a few coworkers. While socializing, ask everyone if they'd like a *strong, but leave that out* mint. Make sure he says yes. For the mint, I'd give him Ice Breakers, but not liquid ice. You could also give him gum, like Winterfresh or Wrigley's Doublemint.
2006-08-02 11:00:29 · answer #9 · answered by Abby 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
first off -laughing hysterically-... ok now that that's over with... I suffered from the same probably of a co-worker and her breath of death. I did everything, offered a plethura of minty fresh products, made suggestions, coughed, covered mouth, gasped for air, ran away and she never understood. You could always tell your boss. Until then I smell you pain...
2006-08-02 11:01:15 · answer #10 · answered by pharriesand 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋