What is the polite thing to do here?

Question

I hate being in close proximity to 'mouth-breathers.' I say nothing to them. Just let them breath away. But it seriously drives me nuts. Hey, if your sick its understandable and somehow that makes it easier. But if you are out of shape and are required to breath from your mouth while sitting at your desk, you have issues! Is this just me? Am I being uber insensitive?

point well taken about health related fitness.
does it change things if this person eats McDonald's for breakfast and lunch and smokes?

Answer 1

You are not being insensitive. If they are sick yes that's OK like you said. Its sometimes obviously hard to breath thru your nose when you are congested.

However it is not like you are making fun of them or being rude, you just are bothered by it. And it is a distraction to say the least.

If someone does not have a cold and they are breathing that way it could yes be a medical condition but also they can get this fixed. I think alot of it has to do with being overweight. My cousin breaths thru her mouth or is a "mouth breather" and has even said this. She even is bothered by the fact that she does this. So its either they have a cold, or have some medical issue, or more then likely they are just fat.

I wonder sometime if anyone actually takes the time to read what people write in their questions and further details on here before answering.

Answer 2

Sure, it's irritating, but there are other reasons for mouth breathers.
Allergies, colds and dry air, adenoid problems can couse mouth breathing. It can be eased by surgery or a combination of nasal sprays and allegy pills.

So itr's not the person's fault. It's a medical condition that needs to be adddressed. Even with treatment, the condition may not go away unless you have adenoid removal surgery.

So what to do?? Get a air humidifier for the "office" , do not stare and say nothing. Consideration of others goes a long way.

Good luck

Good luck

Answer 3

quick point,
i have a day job where its not an issue, but at night i am a bouncer. i had my nose broken a few times and, well its just not as free flowing as it used to be. some times in the winter i find my self breathing from my mouth because it is easier. i am in fantastic shape ( i cycle 100+ miles a week and eat healthy). something as simple as a deviated septum which is genetic can cause this.
i think you may be over sensitive.

Answer 4

You are not being uber insensitive...you are being honest, they bother you.

How you handle the problem shows wether or not you are being uber sensitive.

Hand them a breath mint and say "Care to share one with me?" After you do this a few times, they'll get the hint...their breath stinks. Then, if they have any kind of self esteem, they will look for the cause of bad breath...breathing through their mouths.

Avoid 'em if you can, and if you can't, there is always Tic Tacs.

Answer 5

You are being too sensitive. The people who are mouth breathers may be ILL.They may have allergies,heart or lung conditions.Try a little compassion since you don't know their medical history.

Answer 6

A person's nasal passages may be blocked
or restricted. You might feel comfortable enough
with the person to ask. Otherwise, listen to
the person's voice. If it has a nasal sound,
there is a physical problem. It could be a
sinus infection.

Answer 7

You are being insensative. Everyone one is different and sometimes if they are out of shape it can be because of medical issues to. So why don't you just move if you can to another seat.

Answer 8

If their breath is offensive, you're in the right. Other than that, I'd say you're being too sensitive.

Answer 9

Whats worse is they eat with there mouth open too.

Answer 10

Im not gonna lie about this one..i hate that too...jus cause its not meant to be...you have a nose for a reason...if youre sick, i can understand...but otherwise....i hate it...it just puts me off....