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God I’ve got to tell someone they have a personal hygiene problem tomorrow

216 replies

Thedeuce · 27/05/2025 21:22

Please please please if you’ve ever had this convo before give me top tips. It’s a man not a female and it’s BO.

OP posts:
Hoogey · 28/05/2025 08:28

KievLoverTwo · 28/05/2025 01:18

Good lord. This post is so full of wrong that I actually had to leave my bed at 1am to go and sit on my desktop PC in order to reply to you.

For someone who claims to have autism and ADHD you sure don't seem to know jack shit about either condition.

On the autism front, I'll concede that there's a particular aspect of autism in some people that has them think they are RIGHT about ALL OF THE THINGS all of the time. You seem to have that in bundles!

I should know; I was diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder many, many years before it twigged that I'm almost certainly autistic. It used to make me think I was right about everything all the time too. I told a bunch of friends about this diagnosis (97% certainty off the back of some 200 question personality test at a mental health trust) who said 'huh? Well, you're opinionated, but that? Nah, you're way too thoughtful.'

ALL OF THESE THINGS AFFECT DIFFERENT PEOPLE DIFFERENTLY.

Do you think the majority of the population really want to stand in the shower and scrub their armpits for 15 minutes straight? Hell no. Baths and showers bore me to tears, and I want to be in and out in 5 minutes flat. I'm happy to use deodorant

OTHER PEOPLE DO NOT HAVE YOUR DISCIPLINE

That's the way it works you see, because brains are different.

Let me tell you it took me two years to 'condition' my ADHD partner into remembering how to shower then dry then use deodorant and then wait. In the course of those two years I had to throw out a dozen of his favourite new shirts out where he'd keep forgetting and the smell was so bad that after two 60 degree washes it would still stink when I ironed them. You really think a grown arse man wants that level of humiliation in his life? And throwing away some of his most favourite things?

Prior to that it took me about a year, including numerous huge, handwritten signs in the bathroom to get him to stop wiping his toothpaste laden mouth on our hand towels every day.

There are so many more examples I could give you but it's honestly stressful just writing up two; take my word for it, people with INATTENTIVE ADHD have very little control over what they do and don't remember. Before we got together, I'd message him each morning and he'd say he was tired because he'd forgotten to go to bed.

Huh? Come again?

No. Literally forgot to keep checking the time to make sure he wasn't up past midnight. Many, many times. It had never occurred to him to set a reminder of when he should be going to sleep, because, again, inattentive ADHD - and he couldn't bear to have a clock in the room because of light sensitivity/not tolerating ticking sounds (autism). It really does seem to wipe out the best of common sense a lot of the time with my other half.

So, please, before you judge everyone in the world on the spectrum to be EXACTLY the same as you, with exactly the same capabilities, please go away and learn more about your various conditions, because you spouting this absolute bs off in a thread with various people who have ADHD relatives, who, I have to say, genuinely have to suffer on a daily basis to cope with their loved one's conditions, is deeply, deeply insulting and upsetting.

And, if you can't be bothered to learn, do the world a favour and just scroll past the threads and resist the temptation to comment.

"Everyone can do it because I can do it and anyone who does not is just lazier than me" is possibly the weakest argument I've ever read on the internet.

You sound like such a lovely person for your husband. He must adore you. It is a very difficult situation for you to be in xxx

ThePussy · 28/05/2025 08:34

When you deliver the message, do just that, and then pause. Pause for longer than you think necessary, as they will need the message to sink in. Then ask them if they have any questions, don’t fill an awkward silence with babbling about soap powder and deodorant - you can do this after you have asked if they have any questions.

IthasYes · 28/05/2025 08:42

Op in light of some recent posts I'd drive home the message it's not fair on the other workers and they shouldn't have to tolerate it

Hoogey · 28/05/2025 08:49

@Thedeuce good luck and let us know how it went xx

MiracleCures · 28/05/2025 08:52

ThePussy · 28/05/2025 08:34

When you deliver the message, do just that, and then pause. Pause for longer than you think necessary, as they will need the message to sink in. Then ask them if they have any questions, don’t fill an awkward silence with babbling about soap powder and deodorant - you can do this after you have asked if they have any questions.

Agree with this.

Don't make comments that assume what the problem is. Let them digest it and talk when they feel ready. If needed let them take a break and continue the conversation when they feel ready.

Fraaances · 28/05/2025 08:53

There are a few medical problems that cause this - you could request that they see their GP for advice.

MiracleCures · 28/05/2025 08:55

cumbriaisbest · 28/05/2025 07:49

I don't see what's wrong with the leave some toiletries in the locker type of scenario.
As a starter.
The person may pick up on the hint and respond.

Really? You can't see any problem with this?
Mine boggling.

Its passive aggressive and cowardly for starters. I'd put it in the category of bullying/ harassment as well.

It's not a remotely professional way to handle things

RosesAndHellebores · 28/05/2025 09:01

Much of the previous advice but I'd frame it as "I have noticed" rather than giving the impression that the rest of the office has and has been complaining.

Maddy70 · 28/05/2025 09:11

Also have hygiene packs in all toilets. We have them at work and it's really helpful.

Anti perspirant
Sanitary protection
Hairspray
Wet wipes

GotToWearShades · 28/05/2025 09:18

Canshehavewaferthinham · 27/05/2025 22:28

Sorry, both diagnosed ASD.

Interesting, I suspect the 2 people I'm thinking of have some OCD in the mix. One is certainly always getting out the hand sanitiser. Bless.

Re the toothbrush and minimal overnight packing. I recall an overnight business trip where one of us had a full sized suitcase, I had a small overnight bag and our other colleague a slightly bigger than usual handbag to accommodate knickers, toothbrush and hairbrush. Interestingly, she was the one who went out in search of nightlife after dinner.

MeezerMeezerLemonSqueezer · 28/05/2025 09:25

I took the line of least resistance. We still had pigeon holes (we still do actually) and I tore out a deodorant advert from a magazine, put a post it on and said "Tony I think you should try this" and put it in an envelope in his pigeon hole.

We never noticed that he stank after that.

creativelady22 · 28/05/2025 09:32

Don't do what my old boss did to someone once, he sat them down and said someone in this room smells and its not me!!

navelgazing · 28/05/2025 09:38

MeezerMeezerLemonSqueezer · 28/05/2025 09:25

I took the line of least resistance. We still had pigeon holes (we still do actually) and I tore out a deodorant advert from a magazine, put a post it on and said "Tony I think you should try this" and put it in an envelope in his pigeon hole.

We never noticed that he stank after that.

You seem proud of yourself. That was a cowardly move almost like bullying imo. Especially if anonymous but even if not, tone is hard to read and could come across as spiteful

Notsandwiches · 28/05/2025 09:45

I'd avoid saying it's impacting other members of the team because it makes it apparent you've been discussing it behind their back. I'd say either "it's been noticed" or "I've noticed."

Brooklynbridge · 28/05/2025 09:45

OurManyEnds · 27/05/2025 21:27

I’ve had to do this a couple of times, it’s hideous.

I always opened by saying this was going to be genuinely uncomfortable for both of us, but that we’d noticed there were some issues with personal hygiene, and ask if there was anything I could do to help.

One woman…turned out she’d been brought up really badly and had never been taught about daily washing and properly washing hair, cutting nails, all that stuff. Quite sad actually. She had a lot of questions for me.

That’s heartbreaking. Poor woman.

Brooklynbridge · 28/05/2025 09:46

MeezerMeezerLemonSqueezer · 28/05/2025 09:25

I took the line of least resistance. We still had pigeon holes (we still do actually) and I tore out a deodorant advert from a magazine, put a post it on and said "Tony I think you should try this" and put it in an envelope in his pigeon hole.

We never noticed that he stank after that.

You sound like a weak and terrible manager. You should have had a conversation with him.

WeAllHaveWings · 28/05/2025 09:46

JohnnyMcGrathSaysFuckOff · 27/05/2025 21:40

OP don't use the word hygiene.

It implies they are dirty. They may instead have a medical condition which is not their fault.

I would say, "I need to have a conversation with you about a personal issue. I am really sorry I am having to do this as you are a great colleague and I don't want to make you feel embarrassed. But it is impacting other members of the team. You sometimes smell quite strong. Have you ever been told that before?"

Say it as kindly as possible and then give them chance to say their piece.

But don't assume they don't know how to operate a washing machine. I mean, they might not. But wait for that to become clear.

Agree with most of this. But I would drop the "impacting other members of the team" part at this initial stage. They don't need to know, or have it pointed out to them others have reported it/talked about it.

Pericombobulations · 28/05/2025 09:48

As the person receiving this, I would advise talking privately and directly with them.

I was temping in the 90’s and had had a very physical day. When I got home the agency called to tell me the complaint. I was gutted that not only did someone smell it but had taken it to my agency rather then quietly speaking to me. I not only refused to go back to the job, I refused to work for the agency as it upset me as I couldn’t be sure that they were all gossiping about me.

The reason? I had an allergic reaction to my deodorant and was under doctors orders not to use anything until it had cleared up but had to find a new brand that didn’t cause a reaction which wasn’t easy. Even now I have to be careful when my brand becomes hard to get or is discontinued.

Pregnancy3panic · 28/05/2025 10:08

I have actually been on the receiving end of this message Blush one of the most embarrassing moments of my life, probably the most embarrassing, but it did have to be done.

For me, the nasty body odour was the side efffect of some medication that I was taking. I kind of fooled myself into thinking everyone else couldn't smell it. My supervisor at the time, who worked next to me, could smell it.

She told me about it quite directly, but said she wanted to do it in a separate meeting at the end of the day and not in my upcoming performance review (as that would have overshadowed the review, she said). I actually don't remember most of what else she said. She didn't give me any hygiene advice or anything; just said she had noticed and she thought I'd want to know. Also she said she knew this was an uncomfortable conversation, and that I wasn't the only person she had ever had to speak to about this, and that no-one else in the team had mentioned it (not sure how true that was but anyway).

So yes, I wanted the ground to swallow me up but we both survived. I changed my medication as soon as I could (explaining why to my GP) and also started showering at work, and the problem went away.

NotSmallButFunSize · 28/05/2025 10:10

Please approach it in a kind way, from concern about their wellbeing, not as a "you stink and it's awful" way.

I sweat terribly - I wash daily, use antiperspirant and wear clean clothes but I know some days I still absolutely honk. I would be mortified if someone just told me I stink as if I knew nothing about it. I know, believe me.

Riaanna · 28/05/2025 10:14

allthemiddlechildrenoftheworld · 27/05/2025 22:11

@Thedeuce Make a couple of signs and laminate them! "Be nice to be near" next to the signs place some mens and womens antiperspirants. get some petty cash to cover this. and maybe start a loud conversation when smelly is in the room about this or that kind of deodorant

Horrible advice.

Riaanna · 28/05/2025 10:14

NotSmallButFunSize · 28/05/2025 10:10

Please approach it in a kind way, from concern about their wellbeing, not as a "you stink and it's awful" way.

I sweat terribly - I wash daily, use antiperspirant and wear clean clothes but I know some days I still absolutely honk. I would be mortified if someone just told me I stink as if I knew nothing about it. I know, believe me.

You considered Botox?

billycat321 · 28/05/2025 10:21

I knew as a child that I stank to high heaven. Our house had no bathroom and water was brought in from one outside cold tap. I had to wear the same knickers for a week. Now I couldn't bear the thought of wearing the same pair 2 days running. DH did not apply this principle to his underpants . Yuk

Ficklebricks · 28/05/2025 10:46

Random tip if anyone finds body odour lingers in the armpits of clothes after washing - spray white vinegar in the pits before the wash.

New washing machines don't use as much water as they used to and even on long cycles I had problems with my teens sports tops retaining a faint smell.

I can imagine a lot of people being caught out by this and assuming the clothes are clean. Modern machines are rubbish!

StripyShirt · 28/05/2025 10:54

chaosmaker · 27/05/2025 23:14

Interested to kow if anyone has had to tell a worker that they stink due to too much spray crap especially Lynx which is an abomination.

No, but I've had to share office space with those who were over enthusiastic with the application of that and other deodorants. I'd honestly prefer it if they 'just' had BO.

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