What's the best way to deal with someone that smells?

Answer 1

I would honestly tell him or her. In fact, I've done just that before. In a work situation, my manager smelled so much like b.o. that I had to say something. I told this bogus story about how I forgot deodorant one day and had to leave on my lunch to go get it. Right then my manager remembered that she forgot to put deodorant on that morning and went to go buy some right away. In a friend situation, this male friend I've known since I was 6 and he was 7 smelled so bad again from b.o. He was complaining to me about not having a girlfriend, I suggested trying a new cologne or shower soap. He told me he was using dishwashing liquid (because it was cheap) as shower gel. Um, no, you don't want to do that. He didn't know any better. So, try to drop some hints on this person and see if they pick up on it. Hopefully, they will.

Answer 2

How can someone not know they smell? If other people can smell you, you must be able to smell yourself!!! With all the products out there, there is no excuse to smell and offend others. Sorry if I am being blunt here but take a shower, put on some powder, deodorant and cologne, and if that does not work then see a doctor. If someone is getting back from the gym and they smell or a jog fine but there is just no reason to smell bad!!! Just tell them if they are your friend they will appreciate the honesty if they are a co-worker leave an anonymous note on their desk telling them.

Answer 3

There is no 'best' way. There are just a bunch of ways that do work with some people better than others.

For me, how I respond to a person's odor depends entirely upon where I tend to associate with them, and what their odor originates from.

My significant other tends to dislike anybody who doesn't have a much stronger aroma of sodium laurel sulphate on them than anything else, and she isn't afraid to tell them that she would prefer the smell of soap or shampoo to whatever it is that they're wearing.

Me, I like to be a whole lot more personal with peoples' personal hygiene, and ask them if they were aware that they had an odor eminating from them or their clothes.

Whatever it is.. it might helpy you to remember that many people might become offended if you were to say that it was them that stank, and they might take it as an insult, even though you meant it as the truth.

Perhaps you could give some more details about this person you have in mind about telling?

Answer 4

This needs to be done very sensitively. Every person is unaware of how they smell, as they live with their own individual natural scent, home environment and circumstances. Leaving soap and giving a gift of shower gel is extremely insensitive and might be enough to cause the person added anxiety, making the problem worse, especially if they are already aware of it.

You do not say if this is BO, flatulence or just 'dirty clothes' type smell. I have encountered this before at work. (This is genuine)

If it's BO would suggest approaching the person privately, one to one, and asking if they are ok first of all. Then suggest that you have noticed a little BO lately. I would then suggest that this might well not be their fault, but a medical one. Suggest a visit to their GP as I know someone else who had this problem and it was hormonal. He was helped enormously with medication and perhaps it might help this person too.

Answer 5

At our work someone had a very bad odor. Someone told our supervisor which was a family member and they told them. If no family or supervisor you do it and give them a gift basket that has cologne , soap , and shampoo. Try to also include deodorant. Most of all be nice. Circumstances may have caused them to smell worse then normal.

Answer 6

I think it would depend on how well I knew the person and what the situation was. I have dealt with that before at work, and we went to our supervisors about it and it was handled. People, like strangers that we have to deal with from time to time, in a store, in a waiting room, whatever, I hold my breath and try to keep my distance. A friend, I'd find a way to nicely tell them.

Answer 7

Well dont just go up to them, slap a bar of soap in their hands and say, "You need this more then I do"

Best thing to do is to pull them aside gently and explain as nicely as you can. Sadly there are some people out there who just seem to have a naturally bad body odour.

Answer 8

My nan gave a colleague a toothbrush and toothpaste because his breath smelt, but she is like that anyway. To be honest i just put up with it or move as far away as possible. Maybe you should let them know.

Answer 9

Love them enough to be honest. If you are tossed to the curb then that person doesn't care one bit for you by choosing to put pride before friendship. Continue to love that person even if it's from a distance by their choice...however, not the behavior.

Answer 10

Leave Deodorant lying around