I have to share an office with two other women and one is an older lady who wears this really loud - really stinky perfume and she puts way too much of it on - I want to ask her to stop wearing it, but I really don't want to piss her off because I have to work with her and I hear she can be really nasty about telling lies on others and getting them in trouble or fired at work plaese help my allergies can't take it anymore
2006-10-10 22:07:00 · 17 answers · asked by kim 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
You don't. You tell your supervisor that the overwhelming scent is giving you a headache and triggering your allergies, which you fear is making your productivity decline, and making it hard to concentrate at times.
You bet the supervisor will put and end to it. :o)
If this doesn't work, say the same thing to HR.
You do not have to put yourself into a direct confrontation in this way, and can be relatively anonymous. When the "culprit" complains and starts trying to find out who requested this, make sure you have gone to your co-workers first (if possible) so that they all say, "Well, not me, but it really is a good idea for all of us working together, isn't it?
2006-10-11 05:04:49 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
How much older is this older lady? As we age, our sense of smell gets weaker and weaker. That's why some older people wear so much perfume... they put it on until *they* can smell it, without realizing that it's overpowering to other people. She may not know that she "reeks."
The polite way out of this is to approach her in private and discuss with her how your allergies are affected by the perfume. Don't be combatative and use "I" language, not "you" language.
In other words, don't say "You're perfume is really bad and you wear too much, you have to stop." Say "I have allergies and I've been having a really bad reaction to your perfume. I would really appreciate it if you would try applying less."
Then, if she refuses or causes a "stink" about it, you go to your boss or HR.
2006-10-11 06:24:39 · answer #2 · answered by Answer 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Why don't you spare her feelings and avoid to put a strain on the relationship by buying for her a perfume you're not allergic too ?
Give it to her as a token of your appreciation of her helping you out at work. Even though it's a white lie, she'll be happily surprised to see you care about her and not only will she wear the new perfume but she'll also be much better disposed towards you.
2006-10-11 06:12:22 · answer #3 · answered by Jasmine 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I've encountered this problem many times. I hate the smell of strong perfume or cologne. Don't say anything to her personally. I would talk to your boss. If there were more of you in the office I'd say leave a polite, anonymous note on her desk. Or you could say something like "oh, I had a date with this guy and he had sooo much cologne on..." and hope she catches on.
2006-10-11 05:17:37 · answer #4 · answered by DawnDavenport 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I've been in this situation and it is awful to do! I would just ask her what kind of perfume she wears - she may be impressed by you wanting to know - and then kindly ask her to see what it would be like if she wore a perfume that you CAN tolerate. In my situation, I avoided most of that part and went out and bought the lady some of a more delicate fragrance...she actually enjoyed that one more!
2006-10-11 05:13:35 · answer #5 · answered by Stephanie B 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Get your other co-worker to get a big can of air freshener. The kind you use in the toilet. Start taking turns spraying it madly the minute she steps into the office. After a few days of being welcomed by air freshener upon arrival, I think she'll get the message.
2006-10-11 09:19:10 · answer #6 · answered by Amelia 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Here are a few suggestions
A very friendly conversation where you just mention it to her that you find it hard on your allergy, her using too much perfume.
Give her a gift of baby eau de cologne
Start sniffing the air everytime she appears : "Gosh that is awfully strong"
Remember these can backfire.
2006-10-11 07:55:14 · answer #7 · answered by blind_chameleon 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would just type a letter and tell her tone down the perfume and then set the letter on her desk and dont sign it then no one gets hurt.
2006-10-11 05:27:17 · answer #8 · answered by HarleyMama43 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Wear a mask the has the words "Anti-perfume" on it.
2006-10-12 12:18:06 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just tell her that her perfume is making your allergies worse, tell her not to put so much on.
2006-10-11 09:12:20 · answer #10 · answered by pgenius3 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋