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Original poster

Telling a stranger they smell of dog

44 replies

Hillyhillocks · 02/12/2025 07:53

I haven't, but recently on two occasions I've really wanted to.

Last week the small train carriage i was in stank of wet dog really strongly - two women in seats opposite. I thought they just need to clean the carpet. Cue 2 days later, one of the same women again and bad smell again.

Yesterday in a store I got a strong wiff and there was someone beside me. Went to another part of the store and the smell returned when she did.

Obviously I said nothing but if it was me I think I would want to know. The lady on the train was with a colleague or friend- it must be very difficult for them - the smell was overpowering. She was talking about having ten puppies - they must be peeing on her coat!

Would you ever say anything? I'm probably going to smell the train lady again.

OP posts:
ShesTheAlbatross · 02/12/2025 07:55

No, I wouldn’t ever tell someone this.

The only time I’d tell a stranger something was “wrong” would be if they could immediately fix it, and it was unlikely they’d get shitty with me (like “excuse me, you have something stuck to your coat”)

Eenameenadeeka · 02/12/2025 07:56

No.

Mumteedum · 02/12/2025 07:57

Sorry but you can't go round telling strangers they smell. I remember working in retail as a teen and a couple would come in who would make us all gag. My colleague would follow them round with air freshener.

People who smell can't smell it themselves. It's sad but there's no kind way of doing this if you don't know them.

researchers3 · 02/12/2025 07:57

I don't honestly know, but ugh, sounds really unpleasant- that smell is a horrible one!

I have a friend whose flat is damp, no central heating, so her clothes have thst damp smell.she is very clean but I can always smell the smell and it's not nice. I imagine she knows, I'd never say anything. Bit different to ten puppies 🐶!

TemporarilyCantDoMyself · 02/12/2025 07:58

No I would just avoid them. Would you tell an elderly person they smell of pee, or stale food? Surely not. Smelly people have as much right as you do to use public transport, ditto to go shopping. Public transport requires tolerance. What shouldn't be tolerated is bad behaviour that impacts on others. Smells I think you just put up with.
I use public transport all the time BTW, I don't drive.

CrackSpackle · 02/12/2025 07:58

I wouldn’t say anything, I would get as far away from them as I could.

** Out of curiosity, is it possible you may be pregnant OP? A sudden heightened sense of smell (hyperosmia) can be an indicator.

Original poster
Hillyhillocks · 02/12/2025 07:59

I know this really and I won't, I would probably want to know though if it was me.

OP posts:
HopSpringsEternal · 02/12/2025 07:59

It is horrible but not your place. I used to get the tram to work and would often stand near a woman who drank coffee. Her breath was so coffee like it was vile. But I would never say that!

Original poster
Hillyhillocks · 02/12/2025 08:00

Definitely not pregnant though I remember clearly feeling like a smeling superhero when I was.

OP posts:
MyThreeWords · 02/12/2025 08:01

No. Why would you tell them?

I don't mean you, OP, but in lots of MN posts there is a kind of glee among non-dog-owners who describe being aware of dog smells that dog owners don't notice. It comes up quite often.

What would you get out of telling them, OP?

Headyhead · 02/12/2025 08:02

This reply has been deleted

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Headyhead · 02/12/2025 08:03

If your child came to you with this question op, what would you say to them?

LadyGreySpillsTheTea · 02/12/2025 08:04

You can‘t say anything but I do have sympathy. I was once on a long train journey - and had treated myself to 1st class so it was an expensive trip- and a young guy got on who absolutely reeked. It was one of those small enclosed compartments so it soon stank horribly. I‘m afraid I went looking for an unreserved seat and moved compartments.

CandyCaneKisses · 02/12/2025 08:04

Absolutely not.

DiscoBeat · 02/12/2025 08:04

No!

OvernightBloats · 02/12/2025 08:06

You never know what your future holds. One day, you could be the person who smells. There are circumstances where this can happen.

Step yourself out of your shoes and into others. Would you like it if a stranger came up to you and told you that you smelt?!

And before you dismiss the possibility that you could never smell, consider that some illnesses can change a person's body odour.

TulipCat · 02/12/2025 08:07

No, you don't go round telling random strangers that they smell. Just move away. There is no justification trying to dress it up as them appreciating you letting them know in case they weren't aware - it's just rude and unnecessary.

DiscoBeat · 02/12/2025 08:07

Maybe they work with dogs and are wearing their work clothes.
Like pointing out to someone who works at Lush 'you smell of soap".

Onleemoi · 02/12/2025 08:09

Is it only dog owners who deserve to know they smell or will you be telling people with bad breath and BO too? If you do decide to tell them, please let me know how it goes.

Headyhead · 02/12/2025 08:10

I would really be curious to know what you would say if your child came to you with this question OP?

timenotime · 02/12/2025 08:21

It’s actually NOT kind not to tell someone if it’s a smell they can do something about.

By not telling them you are choosing to avoid your own temporary discomfort over what is best for the other person.

some people just have strong body odor. I wouldn’t tell them as they can’t do much about it.

However, if my clothes had a bad smell, I absolutely would want someone to tell me, as I can do something about it. Letting someone go about stinking is not kind.

JDM625 · 02/12/2025 08:26

Maybe you have sinus infection or some other reason you think you can smell dogs. I knew someone with a fungal, nasal infection which made them smell all sorts of nasty things 🤢

TheGoddessFrigg · 02/12/2025 08:28

I would accept it from a friend- because I know it would have taken them a lot to tell me! But a stranger? No, you could get a smack in the mouth.

I have super smell powers and find public transport very difficult for that reason

PropertyD · 02/12/2025 08:31

I wouldnt but people who don’t wash, or use deodorant - sorry, I really don’t understand. Why would someone do this. It’s really horrible to stand or sit next to someone who smells.

My line manager many years ago had to speak to a middle aged team member who smelt very badly of BO. When he took his jacket off the inside was stained stiff with sweat stains. He was married with children so presumably his family were aware too.

He was dreading it and he did do it but the guy apparently was bemused and said he would look into it but it didn’t really change.

AndSoFinally · 02/12/2025 08:40

I used to use public transport a lot and would always seem to get sat near a bad smell which used to make me feel travel sick

i would carry some Vicks in an old lip balm tin and just dab a bit under my nose when it happened to hide the smell

much better 😊