On some days, not everyone manages to maintain perfect hygiene.
The problem of unpleasant body odour is a taboo subject, and drawing attention to it can be extremely embarrassing, especially when it comes to co-workers.
Meanwhile, Aleksandra Pakuła from the Institute of Etiquette suggests how to signal a body odour problem without hurting someone’s feelings. She says the key is gentleness and calmness.
“It is worth pointing out possible solutions. If someone is struggling with, for example, excessive sweating, it is worth recommending a specific product or doctor and adding that you once had a similar problem and this product or doctor turned out to be very effective,” advises the expert in an interview with Onet.
How do you tell your friend she smells bad?
Another approach is to send an anonymous email or note. Pakuła points out, however, that such messages can be received with reserve. The key is for the person receiving the anonymous note not to feel embarrassed.
“Lethabo, I’d like to talk to you. I’ve noticed lately that you sweat more on these hot days. Many of us have this problem, including me, but I decided to bring this up with you before someone else notices.
“As I said, I struggle with this too and XYZ helped me a lot. Maybe it will work for you too? I know that you always take great care of your hygiene, and now you definitely do too, but we can’t smell our own body odour that well,” Pakuła suggests as an example of the content of a letter to a friend or work colleague.
Regardless of the method chosen, the most important thing is to understand that the problem of unpleasant body odour is a common issue, and talking about it is intended to protect the person from unpleasant comments from others and is motivated by the desire to help, not by sarcasm.
