How do you tell someone they smell bad?

Answer 1

It depends upon how close or intimate and comfortable you are with the person. If you are close or intimate and comfortable with them, find loving and caring words expressing concern placing it as important to them rather than a "selfish" request. If you do not have an endearing relationship, do not mention it at all, unless you are an adult using your efforts to teach a child. Or give them a spray as a present. Or when out and they smell bad spray yourself and then give them a spritz. If its a women find out if they have a period (it's a women's thing). If they don't, maybe they don't have any clean towels or clothes so they can have a shower and they are waiting for them to dry. Maybe they breathe in through their mouth instead of in through their nose, it makes a difference to the sense of smell. Do not tell them they smell bad straight up. I agree, you can't really go out and say it without being rude. If it's their breathe you could always take some gum and offer it for them also. I agree, it's a tricky subject. When my employees smell I tend to say general hints to the whole team such as "Let's remember proper hygeine, team. Especially in the summer months." That usually makes everyone on my staff rush off and spray or wash or brush teeth at their break. If you are not the boss, not a parent, not a relative, and not a friend to the offending person, you have to tread carfully. I often use this trick: I ask about myself in a confidential tone. Often I'll lean in and whisper "Can you help me? Do I smell bad?" and that makes the person take a whiff. Plus they trust you once you have confided your insecurity to them. The majority of the time, once they've told me I don't smell, they ask me to check their smell. I usually give a pretend whiff and say "well, only a bit." or "hey, it is hot after all!" And that is subtle enough to give them the hint that they need to fix their stench. Be really really subtle and polite in this situation. It's very embarrassing and offensive to tell someone about his/her body. Think of how you'd want to hear about it. Tact, deplomacy and delicacy are the way of dealing with bodily functions.

Answer 2

It is hard to tell someone their breath stinks sometimes their feelings will get hurt or theyact like your being rude or maybe even you feel like your being rude but if you can ignore it, that is probably the way to go. If it is so bad you can not ignore it pass them a mint or act like something stinks and maybe even ask them if they smell it and then check your breath and then maybe that will get them to check their breath also.

Answer 3

Pull them to the side and tell them nicely.. um look i want to tell you before someone tells you the wrong way. you really don't smell to good today...hopefully that person would understand.

Another perspective:Telling them face to face takes nerve I sure as hell don't have. Leave them a really polite note. First tell them how they are an asset around the work place, then, tell them how uncomfortable you feel about telling them this and that you don't want to hurt them in anyway, but... Recommend zest body wash or dry idea and DON'T sign your name! and for Godsakes, don't tell anyone at work you did this. Still Another POV:

Don't. Speaking from past experience, there is no good way to tell someone they have an odor. Having had to do this in the past, no matter how sensitive and discreet you try to be, it is likely to just blow up in your face. Your best course of action is to let HR handle it. Drop an anonymous note to your human resources manager, and walk away from it. If the odor is too offensive to tolerate, keep mentholated rub in your desk or locker, and dab a smear in each nostril. It is enough to make decomposition tolerable, so no amount of body odor should get by it.