How can you kindly address someone’s bad breath and body odor? #BadBreath #BodyOdor #HygieneTips
Have you ever found yourself in a tricky situation where someone you know has bad breath and body odor? It can be an uncomfortable subject to broach, but there are ways to tackle this issue with tact and kindness. Here are some tips on how to address this delicate matter:
Choose the right time and place
– Approach the person in a private setting where they won’t feel embarrassed or ashamed.
– Find a moment when you can talk to them without any distractions.
Be gentle and considerate
– Start the conversation with sincerity and empathy. Let them know that you care about their well-being.
– Use subtle language to address the issue, avoiding any harsh or judgmental tones.
Offer practical solutions
– Suggest simple tips for improving hygiene, such as regular brushing and flossing for bad breath, and using deodorant or showering more frequently for body odor.
– Recommend seeing a healthcare professional if necessary, as these issues may sometimes be indicative of underlying health concerns.
Remember, approaching someone about their hygiene can be a sensitive matter, but doing so with compassion and understanding can help the person improve their habits and overall well-being. #Compassion #PersonalHygiene #ConfrontationTips
There is no nice way to say it, you just have to be brutally honest.
Get the person off to the side and just let them know. Many have lived with it so long they don’t notice it
i’ve had this discussion before especially when i was at the height of my functionality
it was actually a great conversation and everyone took away awesome hygiene information. i loved it
What’s the exact reason for the smell? Sometimes there’s a disease behind it. You could point to that and recommend a doctor visit.
If it’s new
What’s up with the smell?
If it’s old
Take them aside – talk about mental health – apologize for rudeness address the smells and then say you’re going to clean up they can use your stuff too cause you’re their friend
“I just wanted to ask how you’re feeling lately? Sometimes when we get depressed or upset we don’t take care of ourselves the way we should, and it becomes part of a cycle that just makes us feel worse. Are you doing ok?”
This opens the door in a way that’s kind, and not TOO honest.
It’s easy
“Hey man, what’s your toothpaste?”
“Try (brand) this, it’s 50% off at all store nearby”
LOL
In private. Never in public.
There are good chances they’re not even aware of the smell. When we live with ourselves we get used to our own smell and percieve it as normal.
Did you just start noticing this recently? Has it always been there but never to such degree? … There’s nuance to the situation.
It will be difficult to tell the other person, but it might do them a huge favour. However, a lot of it depends on how receptive the other person is to your feedback. They can get angry, deny it,…
There’s also a chance they’re aware of it all, but have difficulties getting themselves in order.
THANK YOU! for all the people who replied on this thread. I would take everything you said as a consideration and hopefully this thing will he resolved. Have a nice day/night everyone!
When their mouth is open just start throwing minty gum into it, and every time they lift their arms strike them with deodorant.
you could try to at least fuck it up ROYALLY
gee, you smell so bad they would’ve classified you as a chemical weapon back in WW1!
Just be kind, discreet and direct.
Just be like chatting then “Whew, damn buddy, did you brush today? You need to change your toothbrush or something!”
With body odour, I would put at least a month in between these comments and the bad breath but maybe just ask “Hey not tryna be an asshole but when is the last time you showered buddy? Just a heads up, but I smell you from across the table” or w/e.
If they give you shit on either of these just say
“I’m only telling ya cause I Iove ya. Most people are gonna say it behind your back”.
Just giving them mints and gum, doesn’t work for someone with bad breath. The manager I had at an old job had absolutely horrible breath, it smelled like he ate literal shit. He would power smoke a bunch of cigarettes and pound coffee before work and at each break. People would constantly give him mints and gum, to the point that he had a desk drawer packed with them. So packed you couldn’t fit anymore in, he rarely ate them. He was the manager of a retail store, and had to deal with customers all day. You could see it on the customers face, when they caught a whiff of it.
Link it to professional advice: “My dentist told me that using mouthwash regularly is super important; it might be helpful.”
Be straightforward yet sensitive: “It’s a bit uncomfortable to bring up, but I want to mention something about personal freshness that could be helpful.”
I asked my boss one time if he wanted a breath mint. He said “No, unless my breath stinks.” So I looked at him and said again “Would you like a breath mint?” He smiled and took the mint.
Suggest a shopping trip: “I need to pick up some hygiene products. Want to come along and see what’s new?”
Discuss it during a relevant conversation: “When we were talking about health and fitness, I forgot to mention how important it is to consider our personal hygiene too.”
I think it depends on whether they are in the position to do anything about it or not.
Example: I went grocery shopping with a buddy once and he was RIPE. So, as we were almost home in the car, I just said “hey [redacted] just a heads up, if you’ve got any plans after this you might want to take a quick shower” . Got the point across, privately, non judgementally, in a situation where he had the ability to do something about it.
But however you handle it, do it privately.
Be confidential and direct: “Can we talk about something a bit personal? It’s about body care, and I think it’s something that could help.”
Express genuine concern: “I hope you don’t mind me mentioning this, but it’s something I would want to know in your place.”
Be empathetic and direct: “I wanted to share something a bit awkward, but as friends, I think it’s important we can talk about these things.”
Use your own experience: “I’ve had issues with body odor before, and this product really helped.”
Consider a caring approach: “I thought I’d share something that might help. I’ve found these great products for staying fresh on the go.”
Offer solutions alongside the comment: “You might like this mint/toothpaste/deodorant I use; it really helps me feel fresh.”
Frame it as a health issue: “Sometimes a persistent odor can be a sign of something that needs a doctor’s attention. It might be worth checking out.”
Start a general conversation about hygiene products: “What’s your go-to product for feeling fresh during the day?”
Bring it up in the context of general health: “Taking care of our breath and body odor is so important for our overall health, don’t you think?”
Address it indirectly: “There are some great offers on personal care products right now. Want to check them out together?”
Approach it as part of a lifestyle change: “As part of my new health kick, I’ve been focusing more on personal care, like using mouthwash regularly. It’s been a game-changer!”
Make it a group issue: “I think we could all benefit from keeping some hygiene products at our desks. Shall we make a group purchase?”
A supportive approach can help: “I noticed something and thought it’s something you’d want to be aware of because I’d want to know if it were me.”
Offer it as friendly advice: “I think it’s something minor, but addressing it can make a big difference. There are some great products I can recommend.”
Encourage good habits: “I’ve been reading up on personal care, and I found out some interesting tips about staying fresh that might help us both.”
Use humor, if appropriate: “We’re all human, and sometimes we can use a little freshening up. This brand has saved me more than once!”
In a private setting, you might say, “I want to mention something delicate, and I hope you take this in the caring spirit it’s intended.”
Be kind and discreet: “This isn’t easy to say, and I mean it with the best intentions, but I think there’s a personal care issue that we need to address.”
Share it as part of personal care tips: “One tip I’ve learned is how essential it is to use the right deodorant.”
Suggest a routine: “I’ve started this new wellness routine that includes more attention to personal care; I can share some tips if you’re interested.”
Offer to share personal hygiene products: “I love this new deodorant/mouthwash; it’s fantastic. Would you like to try it?”
Frame it as a common problem: “We all struggle with bad breath or body odor sometimes; it’s completely normal.”
I usually just say “listen, I’m not trying to be mean but I’d want someone to let me know. You need to brush your teeth and take a shower.”
Obviously don’t do this in front of other people, but pull them aside and just lay it out plainly for them.
A good friend said: “You been eating ass? No. Then why does it smell like it”? Best guy ever.
“Would you care for some gum… and some delousing powder?”
If it is at work, *never*. Bring it up with a manager or HR and let *them* bring it up to them.