It’s Not Just Your Politics That Stink

Next to politics and religion, this has to be one of the touchiest topics of conversation between the closest of kin and the best of friends: body odor.

Few things are worse than having to spend time near someone whose odor is so strong you can hardly breathe. But because the offender is often unaware of the problem, someone has to step in. Personal and professional relationships, as you may well know, otherwise sadly and silently suffer.

Body odor and breath hygiene are included in dress codes, and workers are being sent to seminars to combat bad habits.

In Japan, a number of firms recently announced they are cracking down on “smell harassment” by ordering employees to brush their teeth at lunch, refrain from using perfume, avoid strong-smelling food before or during work, and use deodorant, the Daily Mail reported. It comes as a study shows 90 percent of Japanese men emit odors noticeable to others nearby.
“Bodily smells are not always a bad thing and they don’t always bother people,” Miyuu Sato of Japan’s Mandom Corp. stated, according to the Daily Mail. “Odors are a person’s unique characteristic.”

Not only are body odor and breath hygiene being included in dress codes, but workers are also being sent to seminars to combat bad habits. One personal hygiene company insists “the seminars can gently teach offenders to change their ways, and create a more tolerant office.”

While it’s highly unlikely anyone in the U.S. will go to such lengths, perhaps you’re wishing someone would. It’s not an easy conversation to have, but people do smell — and it’s not always good.

Related: Etiquette Errors That Can Sink Your Career

If someone’s overwhelming breath, body odor, or choice of scent renders you unable to function normally at work — this may be a healthy reminder this is why most human resources departments exist (or once did). Chances are, they’ve had to deal with the scenario before.

When it’s between just you and the offender, much as with politics, it may be best to arm yourself with the facts — and a little humor.

“My sister decided to start using all-natural body products and this seemed to work for her, until her ‘natural’ deodorant did not work,” said 43-year-old Dina Martin (not her real name) of Florida. “Every time I was around her, I noticed how awful she smelled. So I said, ‘I know natural products are important to you, but your underarm deodorant is not working.’ She looked at me in shock. We had a good laugh and she ultimately switched to a new deodorant.”

Related: How to Handle Politics in the Office

Before addressing someone who is “fragrantly challenged,” ask yourself how you might like to be told, family and relationship counselor William Gates suggested.

“Approach the person in complete privacy. Make it personal, and do not suggest ‘others’ have also noticed it, as the person may feel extra embarrassed. If it is about a perfume or cologne, it will be difficult, as it may only be you that doesn’t like it,” said Gates.

Be sensitive, supportive — and don’t be pushy, he added. Allow the person to make his own decision as to what to do about it. Let’s just hope he or she does something.