Friday 30 October 2020

How do I tactfully tell someone that they smell bad?

 It depends on the environment. You might have some authority in the workplace; but if you’re on public transport with a stranger; you’re not going to have any authority whatsoever. If you see them on a regular basis, then perhaps there’s an opportunity for you to smuggle an anonymous note into their coat, bag or work area. Sometimes there’s nothing that you can do about it other than to get away from the offending person as soon as possible. Perhaps you could offer them a comfort break to freshen up; or let them know what you’re doing and ask them if they’d like to do the same afterwards. The key is to take a subtle approach to test their reaction and see how they react to your suggestion. Is there a way to amplify your smell to mask theirs by opening some mints? You might even go the extra mile and offer them one. Or if it’s a stranger that you probably won’t see them again you can say what you feel as you depart and hope they have a thick skin.

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