How do you tell someone they smell like crap, without offending them?

Answer 1

It's hard to discuss someone else's hygiene with them and not come off as being brutally mean.

Still, in the long run, you're dojng them a huge faver - both in helping them remain close to you, and in bringing other people into their circle.

I'd make it a conspiracy:

"Joe, several different people have approached me about you over the past little while, and I wanted to pass along their comment, because we're friends. That's why they came to me, I think - they know we're friends, and thought I could tell you what they said without you getting hurt feelings.

"Their concerns were almost identical - they thought you needed to pay closer attention to your personal hygeine - and wondered if I'd noticed anything. After they mentioned it, I did start noticing that you really need to get cleaned up better. Mostly, you're bringing an unpleasant smell with you, and I think becoming aware of that smell and addressing it will earn you a new set of friends.

"I hope you can take this constructively - I told those other folks you would - and don't think this is a put down. You're a valuable member of my circle, and I want you to be able to stay close, okay?"

Answer 2

Hey! Would you mind takeing a shower? Even the flies are avoiding you.

There really is no way to tell someone without hurting their feelings. Just take them aside when no one else can over hear, and say, "I don't want you to be offended, because that is truly not my motovation. I have noticed that you smell like you could use a shower. Do you have a place to clean up? Do you need to borrow some money for soap or supplies? Do you have a place to wash your clothes? Do you wanna come over and use my shower and laundry?" You can determine how far you are willing to go to help. Good Luck!!!

Answer 3

"You smell like crap, and I don't mean that in a bad way." say jokingly, at first, and in private. I usually put my arm around their shoulders, which can be helpful in delivering this sort of news, and then re-state, "Really, John (or Mary) you do seem to have an odor problem, Is there anything I can help you with or do you want to smell earthy? (Some people do) And they may have some sort of problem, lack of a sense of smell, lack of funds to buy deodorant or even lack of a shower.

They are bound to be embarrassed, you can't control this nor can you control whether or not they are offended, just try to make them as comfortable as possible.

Answer 4

i had a friend like this once. well, he was en-loved with me, but he smelled awful. i needed him a lot because he was a good electrician and repaired some things for me... anyway, i didn't know how to tell him about the smell, so i sent him an e-mail, telling him how nice he was, though he had some problems... and as i was his friend and so on... he got offended a little but got over. now, you see, i don't know whether this happened because he was en-love with me or because i said he was nice. good luck (by the way, i also told him in that e-mail that he was boring too. lol)

Answer 5

Surely not the way you just stated it. It would depend upon how close you are to the person; if it is a friend, partner, relative, or ?; and how that person reacts to criticism.

You might want to recommend some really nice-scented soap, cologne, shampoo, etc. - saying how much you like the smell of it (or that people have complimented you on that particular scent).

Answer 6

DIPLOMACY is the art of telling someone to go to hell and they look forward tyo the trip !!!!

Subtle comments on perfumes, after shave, or whatever relates to the gender of the offender person in question. Subtle comments like:

What is that smell aorund us, it must be "MY" deodorant not working today. I will have to resort to take 2 showers per day, etc, etc, subtle, direct and nice and if the person does not get the hint, then come out and tell them right out to go take a bath !!!

If the offender is a girl that is the ultimate gross date,,, tell her to take a Massengill Dusche and forget it, get aonther girlfriend that is clean (Hygienic) s if is a male friend tell him to take a shower....

enjoy

MAXR

Answer 7

Hey......you smell like crap!! Just thought you should know. Hey it is better coming from a friend!

Be honest. I have had to tell somebody that they smelled like a dry docked turd before, and I was just truthful. If this is a good friend, they will be happy it came from you, and not a stranger.

Answer 8

Tell them that there is a store in town that is having a sale on shampoo conditioner, deodorant, and all kinds of things. Then say you need to pick up some hair gel and invite them along! If you make it sound like its their idea people are more apt to do things. Otherwise you can carry a can of OUST around with you.

Answer 9

Hi xyz, most people wont tell you this for fear of offending you, they don't want to hurt your feelings, neither do I. However you have a problem that needs to be addressed because it is a cause of concern for those around you, your body odor is offensive to others, you must take care of this. I tell you this with your best interest in mind.

Answer 10

No matter what, you'll probably offend them. Just remember they're offending you and everybody else. Just take them aside and let them know that you just want to tip them off that they may want to freshen up more because you and others have noticed an "odd smell about them" and you want to make sure he/she is "okay."