How do you tell someone they stink without offending them?

Question

I work for a security company and my shift supervisor smells bad every single day. He never washes his uniform, hair or body. One time I came into the office to take a break and it smelled so bad in there I almost got sick. Last night I made a comment that the office smelled bad the day before but it dosen't now. Some one mentioned thats because George is not here. I thought I was the only one who noticed. I don't like to talk about peopel but he needs a long bath.

Answer 1

I don't really think there is a true way of telling anyone they have
an odor without offending them or embarrassing them but put
yourself in his place. Wouldn't you rather someone tell you
instead of letting you continue to stink and everyone in the
workplace as well as elsewhere I'm sure talk about you. The only
thing is him being your boss could get you some unwanted
attention. I believe I would go to his boss or Human Resources
and explain to them that everyone is very uncomfortable with George's body odor but none of you wish to upset him. Ask them
to confront George. They should comply and do so discreetly.
Good Luck

Answer 2

You should tell it to his superior or write a note. Let him/her know that you do not wish your name to be revealed. Then ask if the issue could be addressed as it is causing the employees working in your shift great discomfort.

The issue SHOULD be addressed by his boss and everything going well, your confidentiality will be protected.

A lady in our office smelled really bad - and every time she left the room, the other ladies would spray loads and loads of aerosol deoderant through the air around her desk. It sounds nasty, but the smell was truly awful!

Answer 3

Be tactful! We all smell sometimes, but if a friend's got a bad case of BO, you could be doing them a favour by offering them some advice.

People do get embarrassed about it so make sure no one else is around when you speak to them.

Start by telling them you’ve noticed that you need to pay more attention to personal hygiene - and see if they take the hint. If they don’t, you might have to carefully let them know they need to wash more.

Answer 4

Tell the person that supervises him. Seriously. My husband worked with someone that really smelled bad, and my husband was his boss. He very kindly told him that there is a dress code for the job, and in the dress code it includes (in careful wording) the smell factor. My husband would come home telling me, daily, "Please don't cook with onions ever again." You could just be straight up with the guy and let him know how awful he smells, but this is your job. You want to be as delicate as you can.

Answer 5

It is hard when confronted with such a dilema especially when he is your superior of sorts. My suggestion would be to possible go above him to his boss and ask that he/she maybe go over the employee handbook with him about appearance and cleanliness. At least this way there is not a finger pointing at one person and for all your boss knows it could have been a client that made a remark or complaint about his lack of good hygene.

Answer 6

i pitied u ! ..i hate BO as well hehe ...get him some perfume or spray as a gift n hopeful he gets the hint ..if not ..well sitting beside him say something like .." urm ..did u smell something ? it smell so horrible " then go n search for that something lol ..n maybe after all this he might get wut u were talking abt ...
during college , ive a friend who has that problem as well ..but he didnt get our hint , in the end , we have no choice but to ask one of the guys to tell him that he's so he has such a "manly" enpowering smell that the gals cant bear it . he got the hint . so gd luck to u !

Answer 7

it is a demanding one! that is like telling someone they ought to bathe - simplest that is more effective complicated because of the particular shown reality that they are unlikely to sniff it themselves, and someone in communique all the surprising recoiling from their proximity is the in common words attitude of them getting even a moderate hint! risky breath is also further on by ability of many concerns smoking makes your breath and each thing round you scent so as it truly is reachable to look after. The equivalent is going for ingesting espresso. in basic terms modern-day the mints or advise the tooth clean. Suggesting the tongue clean component might want to be too much for me to undergo. what number persons might want to you somewhat ask that of? regardless of the skills that its sooo perfect for oral hygiene. Honesty is the high-quality coverage - BB is also further on by ability of tooth themes (talk about earlier her next dental appt.)and digestive issues.you should point out the project in a jokey attitude as a way to no longer insult. Say some concern once you've had solid nutrients, or espresso. Produce a breath freshener spray for you both to apply. take care of mouthwash with the toothpaste interior the rest room and floss is likewise major for laying aside the plaque.....I carry a small tube of paste and a experience brush with me in my bag - a progression. save smiling!

Answer 8

You Can Be a very friendly coworker by bying one of those petit giftsets of soap and deo...and stick a note on it telling him that "Your a good guy but you stink.." its better to print it out and give it to him at the end of the day or keeping it in his locker
chao

Answer 9

There is really no way of telling him without offending him . If you are able send him a bar of soap and a towel via interoffice mail maybe he'll get the hint .

Answer 10

Let HR deal with it. Even if you put soaps or deoderants on his desk he will not use them. This is very offensive and disrespectful behavior. Since he is your supervisor not a good idea to say anything directly to him.