Is it ever acceptable to tell someone they smell?
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What happens when a coworker smells so bad? Am I supposed to pull them aside and tell them personally? Or just tolerate it and let my nose get violated?
It’s so bad that even customers have been telling me about it.
I’m talking full on bad hygiene;
- doesn’t brush her teeth or tongue
- wears the same exact clothes day in & day out
- leaves oil stains + black fingerprints on everything she touches
- comes to work sick; coughs & sneezes everywhere -refuses to take MC or wear a mask & has single-handedly caused everyone in the office to catch her flu on multiple occasions. Including myself.
Nothing to do with a medical condition / monetary issues but it’s just really lacking in personal hygiene.
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I genuinely don’t know if it’s too “mean” to tell her or just let her continue being the way she is.
Netizens’ comments
- Straight away “Eh you smelly la!”
- Tell your boss and let them deal with it. If customers notice, it becomes a professional issue which management needs to address.
- Bring it up with your boss regarding the customer issue. Are you friendly with them? If so you could gently bring it up in private conversation..maybe start off by saying you don’t want them to be embarrassed but there have been some customers that mentioned their hygiene situation and you wanted to give them a heads up in case one of them decided mention it to your boss (so that they could fix the issue first before that happens). But yeah if you’re not close to them it’s better to leave it to your boss/HR.
- how do you know she does not brush her teeth or tongue? but anyway… for me, I won’t say anything and just tolerate. It really isn’t my business… unless it’s someone who’s a friend or more, then perhaps I would say something