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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to feel despondent about having to be in the same office as my hideously stinky colleague who doesn't believe in deodorant?

51 replies

ScummyMummy · 08/05/2009 20:15

And, if not, what can I do? He is otherwise perfectly personable but the aroma emanating from him is nigh on unbearable. He's been spoken to by the boss and another colleague but he apparently thinks deodorant is dangerous and evil and he consequently will presumably live forever but continue to smell gag-inducingly dreadful. Our office windows don't open, everyone is commenting negatively about him (which is sad as he seems quite nice apart from his stench) and we are apparently in for the hottest summer since time began. Weeeep. Should I put up and shut up or is there a magic solution or what?

OP posts:
StercusAccidit · 08/05/2009 20:19

Walk up to him, say 'i think you need introducing to mr deo dorant' and hand him a can.

Then tell him there's no point spraying it on top of sweat so to wash mrs betty swallox first.

Then spray copious amounts of oust in his direction.

Till he gets the message.

Or if you're chicken, get the can of deodorant and wrap a ribbon round it, leave it on his desk.

CarGirl · 08/05/2009 20:20

get one of those aluminium free ones think they are called biosen??? Or a salt rock?? Something bodyshop sell?

goodnightmoon · 08/05/2009 20:23

clothespin for your nose?

Ripeberry · 08/05/2009 20:23

Take to wearing an orange with cloves in it and give it a sniff when it all gets too much and come over with a swoon, wave your hanky around as if it was the middle ages.....muttering about peasants.

Thunderduck · 08/05/2009 20:24

I'd buy natural deodorants for him. I know Lush sell some but Boots will probably sell a few brands too.

pushmepullyou · 08/05/2009 20:25

You could always Febreze him.

Or try what our finance director did with his assistant and take him aside and say "S lad, its getting a bit high in here"

We never saw him again....

Kimi · 08/05/2009 20:26

Fabries [sp] the sod as you walk past or get a glad plug in and put it under his/ your desk

cheshirekitty · 08/05/2009 20:26

Is he wearing his clothes for too many days? Can he afford to take them to the launderette? Has he got access to a washing machine?

This is a tricky one. Could you buy him some smellies for his birthday?

DorisIsAPinkDragon · 08/05/2009 20:27

Boots sell pit rock which I believe is fairly harmless but V effective (dh likes it as he reacts to everything else)

And YANBU maybe a stronger word from the boss?? If he refuses to wear deodorant then he needs to think about washing more frequently and maybe a change of clothes for lunchtime??

CarGirl · 08/05/2009 20:28

Get one of those spray air freshner thing and when he comes over spray it.

Original poster
ScummyMummy · 08/05/2009 20:30

lol ripeberry! And goodnightmoon.

Do you think I should actually buy him a natural deodorant, then, Cargirl and ThunderDuck or just suggest it to him?

I am chicken, Sterrcus, but it seems that he has been given the message in no uncertain terms and with varying degrees of kindness and bluntness many times but to no avail....

OP posts:
chipmonkey · 08/05/2009 20:31

LOL! My former boss handled this ny talking to the colleages's mother!

BigBellasBeerBelly · 08/05/2009 20:32

Not being funny but can someone in HR have a word with him?

If it's that bad someone needs to tell him

Original poster
ScummyMummy · 08/05/2009 20:34

I'm never sure if the smell of air freshener mixed with strong B.O. is much better than the B.O. alone!

OP posts:
SallyJayGorce · 08/05/2009 20:37

You could wear one of those bird shaped masks with the beak stuffed full of dried herbs like a plague doctor. That might freak him out.

Original poster
ScummyMummy · 08/05/2009 20:38

I wonder if it might come to that, BigB. Poor guy. I do feel sorry for him in a way- I guess he just doesn't believe what he's being told to the extent that he's willing to risk his health, as he sees it.

OP posts:
StercusAccidit · 08/05/2009 20:39

PMSFL ripeberry

Tell the bloke you want to hide some drugs and can he have them cos no sniffer dog could get close enough without passing out

I work with loads of lads when not on maternity leave, and tbh, some of them are a bit, RIPE

I usually wave one of the stop/go lollipops at them and say "You fucking stink" but then i'm not one for mincing my words

It sounds like he's in denial. Go in with a swine flu mask on armed with a can of oust or febreze, oust is better

Original poster
ScummyMummy · 08/05/2009 20:39

lol SGJ

OP posts:
lunamoon2 · 08/05/2009 20:40

I would have a word with your boss and tell them to speak again to the culprit.

I would also get a can of air freshner and spray it in front of the offender, saying something along the lines of "It stinks vile in here"
Sorry but he is unclean regardless of what he thinks.

Original poster
ScummyMummy · 08/05/2009 20:43

...and now lol Stercus! Maybe I'm being too wet and need to get nastier. But some of my colleagues are not wet at all and blunt info on his condition delivered in point blank fashion doesn't seem to have worked either...

OP posts:
lunamoon2 · 08/05/2009 20:43

PML at Stercus and Sally

SoupDragon · 08/05/2009 20:45

BTDT, it's ^horrendous" isn't it?

Buy a natural deodorant and leave it anonymously on his desk.

SoupDragon · 08/05/2009 20:47

I also worked with someone who actually smelt like they were rotting. That was probably the worst. Plain old BO was pleasant compared to that. And compared to the person who smelt like a compost heap.

StercusAccidit · 08/05/2009 20:48

Hmm having had a rethink maybe you have to tread carefully on this one, in the day and age of everything being classed as workplace bullying

Blondeshavemorefun · 08/05/2009 20:51

bo can be a serious problem and for all those near them, awful

you dont need to be nasty,but you do need to say something or for your boss to have another quiet word

we had a smelly girl in our gym class, and she stunk the room out, i was feeling physically sick, and she stood in front of me in our class, and as we moved with the music, i would move into her space and could smell her even more iykwim

I am polite, but also very blunt 9as some on here may have gathered) no one would tell thsi girl so i did, nicely of course

she was mortified, but started to wear anti p and clean clothes