how to tell someone they smell

[toffee]

how?? without causing offence?
when a colleague has bad breath, how do you tell them?

let's rule out the scenario of saying, 'you stink'!

this isnt a slobby unhygienic person and I think they would be mortified that people have noticed.

but I hate being in a car with thenm and people talk about them.
I personally cant bear to be too close but I hate it that people are talking about them as it is unkind.

I appreciate this will attract jokey comments but seriously... any suggestions?

 

[prod]

next time they get in a car with you place a tube of tooth paste on the dashboard.......when they ask whats this for....you exclaim....yes what is it for.....job done no hurt feelings

 

[toffee]

prod... maybe you are right... but I know this would embarrass them and I cant be so direct..

 

[prod]

sorry toffee could`nt resist

 

[toffee]

oh.. I was slow prod.. you were taking the p*** !!

 

[davy_owen_88]

Every time you see them, pull out a packet of mints and take one for yourself, then put it back in your pocket. A few seconds later, slap your forehead, say how rude you are and offer them one - if all goes to plan they will accept and job done, do this a few times throughout the day if necessary (but not too often, some of these mints produce laxative effects, and that would probably be worse than some bad breath... )

If they don't accept the mint, they don't deserve your help and you should be as blunt as necessary.

 

[Spark123]

Take your youngest in the car on a journey with them, see how long it takes for a youngster to speak their mind!!

 

[toffee]

it probably shows me up for being weak... as I am thinking I would rather say nothing than cause myself the discomfort of saying something.

If I was getting talked about.. I think I would rather someone told me... even though it would be embarrassing.

maybe I could ask if they had a sore throat or if they had been eating garlic?

surely that would intimate a smelly breath....

 

[prod]

seriously there is`nt an easy way, when i`ve found myself in these awkward situations the direct approach with a bit of sensitivity works best it all depends on your relationship

 

[toffee]

yes.. its a friendly relationship but still just a colleague relationship.
I think I might try to do a sensitive approach but I will try to say something as I cant bear to hear others being nasty about them for that reason only.

 

[prod]

next time they get in the car place a chainsaw on the dashboard.....they`ll get the message

 

[JohnD]

it might be a dental or a digestive problem, or they may just eat of lot of smelly food.

Mints and toothbrushes won't cure these.

 

[toffee]

if it is a health problem, then maybe the answer is to put up with it.. rather than make them suffer more for something they may already be aware of. I think there is no way other than be direct.. im not sure if I can do it. I wonder why its such a social stigma to point out body odours..

 

[JOHNBOY42]

I also work with a mate who has a bo problem and although the other lads mention it too we have not got the heart to say something without hurting this guy

 

[mlb3c]

tough one.....

Put yourself in their place. Would you like to be told? How would you prefer them to break the news?
Personally, I have no tact....wish I did....but stuff just pops out. And to be fair, if they're still around, then it's out in the open and job done.