When my German relatives visit they will start to smell bad after three day(like fish that has been sitting out for three days) and I know they shower but especially the man will not change his clothes but keeps wearing the same shirt , pants forever withou washing them. the women smells but not as bad..What is the proper way of getting the message that this offends our senses?
2007-02-07 20:10:19 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
:) you may be smelling terrible to them, but they don't want to offend you...
In my experience, young people from Germany are even more obsessed with hygiene that US folks... the houses are LICKED clean, and the clothes spotless. They are really finicky!!
Most likely, they are trying to travel light, and don't realize how fast washers and dryers can be. In EU they are smaller, and sometimes in the basement. So simply, go with the laundry basket, and ask - "I'm putting in a load, and there is extra space. It will be dry in 2 hours, do you have anything at all you'd like to wash? no trouble at all... oh, and hand me those towels too!!!"
I am sure that will solve the problem, and they'll be much happier too.
2007-02-08 00:05:37 · answer #1 · answered by OneLilithHidesAnother 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Do they have spare clothes? Are they frugal? Does someone speak German to them or English? Who in the family is closest to them so that they can have a quiet word? Or try the old " We're putting on a load of washing, can we freshen up your clothes as well. It'll be no trouble".
How about deliberatley spilling some wine or soft drink over them so that they will have to change and then offer to rinse the clothes for them. Or just tell them. They are grown ups after all.
2007-02-07 20:24:24 · answer #2 · answered by lizzie 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
ISince they are showering, you know it is a culture/sensibility thing. And they are used to the smell, so they don't notice it.
am assuming they brought luggage? On the second evening, ask them to leave their laundry out so you can include theirs with yours...play it by ear from there.
If that utterly fails, there is not much you can do that won't be equally or more offensive. This is your time to cook all the smelly things you ordinarily wouldn't.
2007-02-07 20:27:29 · answer #3 · answered by and_y_knot 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would offer to wash their clothing for them. I don't think there is a nice way to tell someone that they stink. We Americans are obsessively clean by the rest of the worlds standards so I doubt they would get it even if you did try to tell them. Try offering to wash their clothes at night when they will be going to bed and won't need them.
2007-02-07 20:21:10 · answer #4 · answered by Aunt Bee 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
.Quite often body odor comes from the pores and reflects ones diet (lots of garlic). If as you say they do bathe and while they are with you they are eating what you do, try buying the male a couple of new shirts and tell him you will have your feelings hurt if he does not wear them. You must weigh the value of the friendship vs. hurting their feelings. Ask them if they have tried this new deodorant you just bought.. that it works well and leave one out for them. Good luck.
2007-02-07 20:22:29 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Walk over like you are going to give them a hug, and then whip out a can of Lysol and start spraying it all over them. They will get the message. If they don't like that tell them it won't happen again if they wash up their clothes, take a bath, and brush their teeth. Also tell them if they make anymore of that freakin sourkraut you will disinfect them for every bite they take of it.
2007-02-07 20:18:26 · answer #6 · answered by Colt Seavers 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
when they go to shower off ..tell them you are going to throw their clothes in the wash for them and than offer some of your things to wear while theirs is washing and drying......
you could also show them your personal hygiene products and tell them to try them out and see if they like any of them..
that's the best my tired brain could come up with..sorry I couldn't come up with more......
2007-02-07 20:27:08 · answer #7 · answered by LeftField360 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
offer to wash their laundry for them, give them baskets of soap and deodorant as gifts when they arrive.
2007-02-08 01:22:10 · answer #8 · answered by Angela C 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋