What is the polite way to tell someone that they smell bad?

Question

You work with someone and have to smell them everyday at work and everyone talks about that person behind his back, about how raunchy he smells....how do you go about it? DO you tell them? Can you get fired? How do you say "gee you smell like pits and a**."

Answer 1

tell your boss and let them tell him...................he should be told.....u dont want to hurt the guy's feelings

Answer 2

No, you can't get fired. This is a very difficult thing to do without embarrassing them. The kindest thing is to ask to speak to them privately and say "So and so please try not to be embarrassed or upset because I am telling you this to help you not to embarrass you in any way.So and so you smell and some of our fellow co workers are complaining about the smell and you need to make sure you are washing throughly and putting on deodorant. I am sorry I had to tell you this." Also if the person smells like trash or fish don't say anything because they might have a rare disease called TMAU in which the body can't break down a certain chemical so it has nothing to do with hygiene. If you say something the person will feel even more depressed about their disorder.

Answer 3

I had this at my work too. And this was a person who greeted clients. Fortunately the supervisor took it on and politely couched it around questions about his health.
Not that long after an auditor came in who also smelled (what is the problem, people?) awful. We had to meet with him for about an hour. Same supervisor subtlely turned on the ceiling fan and opened all the windows. I hope the guy got the message.
Sad thing is that they are both nice people and good workers.

Answer 4

I've had numerous experiences with "foul smelling people" (especially those who do not use a deodorant). Most of the time these people are just oblivious to their own scent. Chances are, nobody has ever told them that they smell bad. The best way i suggest is by hinting while playing it dumb~ Ask them, " hey do you smell that? Something smells really bad, did you step on something?" A hint like that I guess would be most effective without offending them.

Answer 5

tough to be diplomatic. Maybe buy a sweet smelling soap for the person. Overall, this is a very sensitive issue and you either make or break a friendship.

Telling a supervisor is not going to put you in a good light.

Try buying a purifier and put in the office if it is really impossible for you to take it but it is no solution unless you help the person tactfully.

Answer 6

i think you would be doing the person a huge favor by letting them know. you can't get fired for this. they may not even realize it. you may want to discuss it first with your supervisor. i actually had this happen once where i worked and by the time someone dealth with it, it turned out the women had lived with about 13 cats, and animal control found a couple of them were dead in here house. well you can imagine how she smelled. people get used to their own smell. it is probably more appropriate that your supervisor deal with it but it should be dealt with. the person will be grateful to know.

Answer 7

I think someone should tell him. It's not nice to have people talking behind his back. He either doesn't have any idea he smells or he already knows as it might be some kind of problem he has had for years. If he isn't aware, he may appreciate that someone told him but keep it private. If he is aware, be supportive of your work colleague as he may not be able to help it.

Answer 8

I would think that no you can't be fired for something like that, but in todays world they may say you are discriminating. I personally would pull the person to the side and say that you are really offended by there odor.

Answer 9

There isn't a polite way to say it, it's going to be rude anyways since your critiquing their personal hygiene. Just say "hey, you smell pretty bad, a human isn't supposed to smell that way."

Answer 10

You can always just be straight forward...but that takes tach. Maybe you can try to understand why they smell the way they do...befriend them. Or have your supervisor become aware of the situation.

Answer 11

Ask them if they are on medicine that? Tell them politely that they are radiating a fowl smell. It my be something they can do nothing about. Good Luck.