how to tell a very good but very sensitive colleague of opposite sex that he has foul breath?

Question

cant even talk to him. i use to offer him a chewing gum before starting conversation. but he doesnt seem to get the message

Answer 1

That's a hard one and I wouldn't want to be the one to do it. However, maybe you could leave a note on his desk that your husband or friend writes (so he won't recognize your handwriting.) I wouldn't tell ANYONE (not even your very good friends) that you are going to do this. That way it will never get back to him that you did it. Also, don't make the note nasty, just be "to the point." It will hurt him, but it might also help him. It's possible he has a medical condition and he can't help it, but I doubt this because that is something that he would probably share with all of you.

Answer 2

LOL I was gonna say offer gum..but you obviously tried that ;) well then I would suggest you don't say anything since it may affect your friendship in a weird way...I know it's good to be honest but in some cases I think it's better to just not "go there" If you would hear ppl at work talking about his bad breath behind his back then yes it's time to step up and tell him for his own good but until then...


Have a good day and good luck!

Answer 3

Jenny, sometimes this is one of the hardest things to do is tell people they have bad breath. There really is no easy way. You can approach them and let them no nicely and hope they will respond. But most people that have bad breath, already know they have bad breath. That's probably why he did not accept your gum, because he was offended by someone earlier. But try this, just have someone else write a nice letter in a nice way telling him about his breath and leave it somewhere he can find it. Leave the letter anonymous. And, see where it goes from there.

Answer 4

Chewing gum won't work. Tried it before. I eventually got tired of buying Valda Pastilles. If he's really that good, use the direct approach. Say it to his face nicely. "You have bad breath. I think you need to see a dentist." Afraid to do that? If he talks in a close group with all their hands covering their mouths and noses then maybe, hopefully, he'll catch on.

And yes, don't forget to take a deep breath just before facing him.

Answer 5

Get some breath mints. Next time you're about to have a conversation with him, say, "Please, have a breath mint." If he refuses, say, "No, I insist." He'll get the message.

Or, another, more direct approach, "Oh, my. You must have had onions for breakfast. Would you care for some gum or mints? I always carry some in my purse for my own breath emergencies and I'll be glad to share."

Answer 6

Just take him aside, privately, and say, "Look, there's something I need to tell you. I don't mean to embarrass you or make you feel bad but sometimes your breath is bad. I have the same problem that's why I carry gum or mints with me. I also (tell him about the products you use)."

Answer 7

Before everyone starts complaining about his foul breath, send him a toothbrush and a toothpaste anonymously.

Answer 8

If you can't talk to him then just ask for his cell. number or e-mail then you can do it there.Just be very careful with your choice of words and then asure him that you dont want to embarass him you just want to help and tell him that his little problem is safe with you.DO NOT tell it to anyone else but him because if you do this you'll be ruining his social stance and his problem will be the talk of the town. Hope this helps.

Answer 9

He asked me the same question about you just the other day... interesting....

Really though, it generally has more to do with diet choices than anything else.... So start offering him something to eat that you enjoy smelling... or leave a toothbrush and toothpaste on his desk....

Answer 10

LOL! eww
the air of your mouth, sir, has gone wildly stinky.
Gum is like a deodorant of the mouth, you need it, here, no offense.
I tried gum, it helped.

Try to go with a joke:)