My friend lost his smell because of strong chemicals at work. How do I tell him he needs underarm deodorant?

Question

He worked for many years at this place where he was exposed to smelling strong chemicals and now he can't smell. He misses his sense of smell so very much. He is a very sweet guy and I don't want to hurt his feelings, but I want to spare him of embarrassment by letting him know that he needs to use underarm deodorant.

Answer 1

tell him... he'll thank you... u'll probably help him pick up some chics next time he goes out... then he'll really be worshiping you.

Answer 2

Well firstly don't just assume he doesn't use it!!
I'm quite sure he does. (maybe it's just a crap one)

There are medical problems which cause body odor. It doesn't even need to be a real medical problem, for some people it doesn't matter how much deodorant they put on because it is to do with the amount of bacteria on their body.

The bacteria causes the smell. Of course doing things like not changing your clothes or washing enough will lead you to have more, so increased chance of smelling but some people smell from the tiniest bit of sweat.

If there is no sweat there will be no smell, because there is nothing to decompose (chemicals and proteins in the sweat) but it is impossible to get rid of sweat completely so anyone can develop an odor problem no matter what their hygiene habits are (and strangely even if they already use antiperspirants AND deodorant)

The solution lies in anti bacterial soaps and stuff like that.

I had a thought, maybe the chemicals at his work could even have caused him to develop this odor somehow?

Basically though the longer you leave it the worse it will be. Imagine someone makes a nasty comment to him about it, he might then turn to you and ask do I really have BO? You will need to tell him then, and how is he going to feel if he finds out you have been keeping it from him all this time? I'm not trying to make you feel guilty but to show you that even though the situation is awkward now it could come out in an even more awkward situation.

I'm sure even if he is a sensitive person he will take far less offence than you think. Being someone who can't smell he will accept that he needs other people to help him with certain things like this. Truely you will be doing a favour to him and he will be incredibly thankful.
He might have his feelings hurt at the time but us humans are like that. If you had something stuck in your teeth, an odour or snot hanging out your nose and someone told you i'm sure you would be offended/embarrassed but also really glad they told you before you paraded it in front of countless other people.

I SUGGEST... that you say you've noticed a "strange" smell coming off him recently. Pretend like it's metallic or something. Or even a sweet smell (this is what diabetics sometimes get, sweet smelling sweat because of too much sugar)
You could perhaps act like you're concerned for his health and suggest he goes to the doctor. (actually it COULD be a medical problem like I said before)

This way the doctor will break the news to him that it is BO, suggest some deodorants or anti bacterial soap and you can get away with not hurting his feelings by maintaining that what you smelled wasn't a bad/ offensive smell but a funny/strange one.

Hopefully my suggestion helped in some way because you already know you NEED to tell him, you were just looking for some ideas on how, which nobody has really done. Sorry for the length but it's a tricky question. Good luck.

Answer 3

I recently had the same problem and I simply told him and then I told him I knew he was embarresed but as a friend I,m telling you because others can smell it if I can and they may not want to hurt your feeling but they still smell it so as your frind I,m telling you so that people are,nt offend and start talking about it behind your back. I,m really sorry but you need to be told. I also said if he was a girl someone would of already told him because girlfriend just do that when its needed.
Anyway he wears deodorant but hes still not the best smelling guy and i,ve mentioned cologne and he wears it sometimes but not enough. The thing is he sweats alot and he needs to wash alittle more often than other people and reapply deodarent.
My friend also cannot smell and is,nt real convinced I,m telling the trueth but to please me or so he thinks he wears deodarant but its not the heavy duty kind-- he says he does not need that kind the kind he buys is a buck-So hey Good Luck.

Answer 4

I would tell him at a time that deodorant would be available for him to use, like his apartment & before he has been out & then wonders how many others noticed. I would just in a jokingly way say -Woa did you forget your deodarant today?? And then he can immediately take care of it & be more aware that he needs to watch that. When he comes back out immediate get into your plans with out any ackwardness. Say -You ready to go or ready to watch the movie, wanna pop popcorn. If he see's you werent sickened & weird about it you will be able to say something until he gets the point-he might not be able to smell but the rest of us can-right? Your a good friend.

Answer 5

Tell him everything above, starting off with the nice things. Gradually but firmly tell him he needs a deodorant. I've a good friend who also can't smell, and he has no other way of knowing unless a complete stranger complains. Trust me, folks like our friends would much rather hear it from a buddy than a stranger in a public setting.

Answer 6

Sit him down and explain the situation to him. Just let him know, in private, that you can smell him, and that you don't want him to be embarrassed later on. No matter how you let him know, he will more than likely feel embarrassed, but a friend would be honest.

Answer 7

Honey, hes your friend, hes not going to be offended unless you let him think he has been smelling and you didn't bother to say anything! You have to tell him darlin' apparently no one else has!

Answer 8

If you are truly good friends and you tell him with love and compassion, he will understand and appreciate your advice. That's what real friendship is all about.

Answer 9

just be honest , your my freind , and i care about how you present yourself to others , let me be your sence of smell and go with him to pick out something that smells really good

Answer 10

Yes you have too!!! Poor guy you have to be his friend and let him know, I's sure that's what he would want.

Answer 11

hes a guy dont worry just tell him seriously u stink go put on deodarant