Is this normal? She wears the same outfit 5 days a week to the office at 4 months at a stretch. She claims to wash, though the proof is in the odor that follows her around. I don't get it because she is always claiming to have money here and there, etc. Is this common outside the US?
2007-07-10 03:06:06 · 18 answers · asked by DAR76 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
It's the same outfit everyday with the same rip here and stain there... It's difficult because she is always telling me how she has a house with maid quarters in her native country (though they rent a shack here) and they are now looking at a new car, paying high college tuition, etc. Either she is lying or just overspending in other areas that don't include clothing. It's annoying because she likes to "pity" me and my husband because her husband makes "Loads more than we do combined." I just don't get it.
2007-07-10 03:17:46 · update #1
I'm dealing with person that can't take any constructive criticism and would take offense if it was suggested that she was dirty. Very argumentative and difficult. I know she has more clothes, because I have seen them once in a while just don't understand why she wouldn't break them out instead of the same outfit for 4 months or more straight.
2007-07-10 03:37:36 · update #2
It is common in Europe. I have noticed this with the Brits and the French but this is not just limited to them and I am not saying that they are all like that. I have had people sent home from work for this.
If a person has poor hygiene and smells you should not feel bad to take action. Believe me, they know it and they don't care. To them it is a norn to stink.
It is the supervisor or managers job to handle these type of things. Inform that person that this lady has a foul body odor and excersises poor hygiene and it is difficult to work near her and there is also some health concerns.
If you are the supervisor:
arm yourself with company policy
be familiar with state (or union) labor regulations
Then let her have it: Jane, there have been numerous complaints about your hygiene. You need to handle your body odor prior to coming to work. I know this is a touchy issue, I know you dont want to have this conversation again and niether do I. THEN DOCUMENT THE INCIDENT.
My experience is that this type of person will be a stinkbomb once again in 2 weeks.
2007-07-10 04:01:11 · answer #1 · answered by mpasnick 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Maybe you should pull her aside and talk with her. It could be some hormonal problem that she has...I know common sense is to wash if you're wearing the same outfit daily. If it's outside the U.S. she may not have a lot of money in American standards..but just enough to make it by.
2007-07-10 09:09:59 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why don't someone speak to her about her hygiene problem? that would be the right thing to do, to cut down the odor and her bragging bout all she has. If she had it, she would wear it, she needs someone to check her, as this is not appreciate in the work place for anyone to repeat clothing with a smell. Can't be a very pleasant work place, she needs help.
2007-07-10 03:30:37 · answer #3 · answered by carmel 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
OK. report her to your supervisor or and HR. Tell them that U refuse to work around her until she changes her clothes and obviously takes a bath. R U the only one who she works with? If not does not any one else notice she wears the same clothes all the time and she does not smell so great.
2007-07-10 03:12:35 · answer #4 · answered by Charla C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well when I was in Russia for a short period of time (2 weeks) many of the people that I was around most of the time wore the samething everyday for a week. I think they took a full bath once a week and just wiped off the rest. Many of them didn't have hot water they would have to heat their water for their bath. This isn't saying they are poor. Just most of Europe doesn't have hot water in their homes and other countries. They tend to put money to other things they see more important. I've I always heard that we Americans are over washed.
If it is really bad you need to talk to her.
2007-07-10 03:22:08 · answer #5 · answered by DRae 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Maybe the odour is her, not her clothing? I'd try gently suggesting that she should maybe wash herself/her clothes more, then being a bit more forceful.
Past that, maybe get some people to file complaints about her being distracting, so she could be threatened with action if she continues to smell..?
2007-07-11 01:33:03 · answer #6 · answered by Devolution 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Look if she sis so bold as to pity you and talk about her finances simply ask her next time she brings up their wealth. Say "I was wondering then why it is that you wear the same clothes daily?"
2007-07-10 03:29:32 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I had a professor who did the same thing. She was a foreigner as well, so maybe it is common outside the U.S.
2007-07-10 03:09:14 · answer #8 · answered by Esmerelda 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Say something to your boss, or if you are the boss, speak up and tell her that in order to better represent yourselves, it would be favourable if she varied her clothing choices, appropriate for the situation. (putting it nicely)
2007-07-10 03:10:56 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
its not a foreigner things u idiots..i know lots of poeople and i wont name race or ethnicity...i used to work with a lady who had only 4 outfits she wore..every week it was funny..i also knew this one man who wore the same shirt twice a week to work..i also know this one man who had the most greezy hair he didnt bath every day u can tell..i know poeple here in america like all of us just do darn lazy to fix up..some people just dont give a damn....its not a forieng things..geez people think outside the box
2007-07-10 03:11:36 · answer #10 · answered by Kay 1 · 0⤊ 3⤋