Yesterday we had a customer come into our store. He is a regular but always smells like dirty kitty litter. He smells like cat urine and cat excrement. It is very offensive. We even had an employee vomit from being in his presence too long, that is how bad he smells. Do you think that it should be the law that people are to exersice proper hygine before entering the public, just like they have to wear shoes and shirts? Do you think it would be appropriate for us to tell the man that his scent is very offensive? What is your opinion?
2007-02-21 05:17:43 · 26 answers · asked by Peanut Butter 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
If you work in a private business, you have the right to refuse serving him and ask him to leave.
2007-02-21 05:21:17 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
This is a problem that requires a delicate solution. If you refuse service to him, you may wind up in court (especially if some human rights attorney wants to make a name for himself).
Legally you can request that he leave as he is causing a "disturbance" to other patrons and the staff. But this is a worst-case scenario solution which could bring negative repercussions.
If it were myself, I would speak to the man privately and tell the plain truth (as gently and tactfully as possible). Often the best solution is plain and simple, polite communication. And it IS appropriate to inform someone if they are doing something offensive. Just remember politeness and tact go a long way in a confrontation of this type.
2007-02-21 13:29:53 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I too had to deal with someone like that. He smelled just like cat urine, he had about 15 of them and would come to the store to buy cat food. But not every one has the money to practice proper hygiene. I believe though that a business should be allowed to choose who they serve, and there is nothing that says you can't kick out any one that smells like two dead skunks right after having hot sex in a onion patch. But I don't believe there should be a law for that. That's discriminatory. If the man wants to smell let him smell. He probably doesn't have any friends any ways. But your boss can choose to serve him if he/she wants to. But if your boss chooses to still serve the man, then you gotta serve em.
2007-02-21 13:27:53 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Smells like cat urine? Maybe he runs a meth lab. Well if wasn't for the exctrement scent as well. So yeah I wouldn't have a problem with it being a law, or at least make it a policy. Anyway I think you should just say in a polite fashion that you find his odor to be offensive.
2007-02-21 13:27:07 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
I don't like people telling me what to do, and giving gvernment power over when I CHOOSE to shower, is giving them TOO MUCH. The government needs to be limited, not becomeming a dictatorship. And telling people when to shower, is a dictatorship.
Laws have to be thought through, look at the damage bush has already done with the patriopt act, slowly tearing down our constitutional rights.
Yes it is disgusting andYou have every right to refuse service, but he DOES have a right to smell like cat urine if he wants too.
2007-02-21 13:31:06 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Your store has the right to refuse any customer, just as he (unfortunately) has the right to smell like cat piss. The only other recourse would be to prove that his 'catliness' is a health hazzard.
There is no law saying you have to wear shoes and shirts either.
2007-02-21 13:22:20 · answer #6 · answered by Jake 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well I don't know about a law for type of thing but I do think the manager should say something to him because he could make the business look bad to others and you might lose business! Hope this helps you!
2007-02-21 13:23:44 · answer #7 · answered by Rachael 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Has anyone stopped to wonder why this man smells this way?
Is he elderly and living alone? If so, he may be to a point where he is unable to care for his own personal needs, or quite honesly might just be forgetting to care for himself.
Is he homeless? poor? is there a psychiatric component that might require intervention?
Yes it may be offensive to your olfactory senses, but how about getting off your high-horse and trying to decide if there is a fellow human-being in need of assistance.
2007-02-21 13:30:07 · answer #8 · answered by Susie D 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i went to this place and there was a customer and the bartender finally had enough of his smell as he would come in most days and she asked him not to come back. i know she felt bad, but like you said, it's very offensive and they were trying to sell food there.
2007-02-21 13:26:57 · answer #9 · answered by Jen 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You have the right to deny service to any customer as long as it does not break any law (descrimination and so forth).
Just watch out for ACLU though.
2007-02-21 13:21:34 · answer #10 · answered by Mail J 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋