Someone said I stink

[Jen871]

This is more like a rant. When I'm doing the school run I wear the same clothes as I work 12 hour nights 8-8 and my son starts school at 8.45. I wear the same clothes to work because I work in a factory and I don't want to ruin good clothes.

The other day I was waiting for the teacher to open the door with some other parents, when I heard one of the parents say to the other that I stink. This annoyed me but I didn't say anything.

The annoying part is that these women don't work. They drop their kids off to school and then god knows what, they have no idea the 12 hour shift I've just done and how hard me and my husband work to be able to afford the luxuries we have.

I don't want my son picked on at school because parents are going around saying I stink. It's annoying as hell. I can't get changed after work because there just isn't time.

I would either a) dump a can of that awful “impulse” body spray on you after work or b) stop giving a shit.

If you hear them say it again just make it clear that yes you have come off a 12 hour shift and haven’t got time to change. Then ask them what their plans are for the day.
People like this need calling out.

By the sounds of it it is your clothes that smell rather than you. Is there anyway you could just quickly change into some clean clothes before you leave work? Nothing fancy but a clean pair of leggings and a hoodie?

Is it def just cooked meat you smell of? If its a physically hard job are you sure it isn't sweat they're smelling? In which case I'd look at getting a stronger deodorant and applying it at break time and when you leave and be liberal on the last one so not just armpits.

Either way, were all in agreement they're dicks.

You can turn around and tell them you smell like a full time job etc but that won't stop your kid being bullied if you genuinely smell bad x

They are very rude, but for a time I lived near a meat factory and the smell is unreal. Are there any changing facilities? If you were able to quickly change into a tracksuit bottom and spray some deodorant would it help?

If its not possible, its not possible, though I would find a way to let people know you're coming straight off a nightshift and going home to change. Its possible they think you're just not bothering to shower.

Ahh meat factory. I used to work in the “wet end” of a cat food factory and got dumped a month in to it by an ex because I smelled…I would get in the bath immediately I got home, wash my hair four times, but he said the smell of meat lingered. Some people do have more sensitive noses to be fair; my ASD daughter really does. If I were you I would have at least a fresh top with you at work to quickly change before you leave to do the school run.
Ignore nastiness though, even if I thought someone was sweaty etc I wouldn’t dream of being so discourteous as to say something that could hut thei feelings, so shame on them and hold your head up high. You are teaching your children amazing things by being who you are.

Ie just change a few mins before the end of your shift? I'm sure her boss will love her wandering off to get dressed before her shift ends every morning 🙄

Is there any way you could change your hours? Even a 30 min adjustment would give you time to wash and change.

They were very rude to comment on something as personal as someones body smell in a public place.
However if people are noticing this then you need to do something to change it.
Cheap bottle of perfume/body spray you spray all over as you leave the car?
Dump the clothes in your hall and quick pull on leggings and a jacket?

Children get bullied at school for all sorts of reasons and no reason at all.
You don't know what these ghastly people are them saying to their children about you and your son!
I wouldn't want my child affected by this so now you know people are noticing the smell you need to take action to change it

Presumably you are clean when you do pick up in the afternoon.

You said: "...how hard me and my husband work to be able to afford the luxuries we have."

Is there no other job you can do during the day that would pay as well? I always worked but no way would I have worked all night in a stinking meat factory.

what about carrying a bottle of febreeze with you, that's meant to trap smells or something.

Op, I'm not sure if you just want to rant and get ass pat's for working hard whilst they don't or of you want actual advice on how to stop it etc etc.

But I would recommend talking to your son's teacher. Let them know to keep an eye out so that any kids saying shit can be corrected sharpish.
You could call the school and arrange a meating... Stop any escalation before it gets too meaty.. and next time, of you hear anything, say something and don't mince your words.. of they have a beef with you, they should come to you at hash it out.

Hope that helps..

Does your school offer a drop off zone? I don’t even get our my cat. Just plop dd to the zone and a high vis teacher ushers them in. Perfect!

Perhaps float the idea with the school?

I do agree though that a quick strip/change could be possible once home? Have the clothes ready , what about wearing a cap?

In one way I want to say who cares what others say but on the other hand kids can be mean and I would hate for your child to be teased because of this. Can you swap shirts in the car while your child is hoping in (have a singlet underneath or something? That might help.

OP you shouldn't have to make any of the changes suggested here. You are working to feed the nation and raise your family. Be proud of that.

If they make a comment again I'd respond with:

"Yes I know. I've just completed a 12 hour shift in a meat factory so you can eat. Remind me, what is it you do again?"

Could you keep a clean top in the car (doused in perfume) wear a vest top under your work clothes and do a quick swap over in the car? I know that wouldn't be enough to completely eliminate the smell but it might help a bit? Also keep some Febreeze fabric spray for the clothes you're unable to change?

Ps - make the drive home with your car windows wide open. The air will make a difference

A clean cheap jacket you can shove on when you get out of the car. Febreeze the shit out of yourself and get some of the perfume stuff you can get for your hair.

Otherwise, just ignore them. It says far more about them than it does you.

What a bunch of bastards.
Next time, if you hear then say that, I'd turn around and say well yeah, if you just did a 12 hour shift overnight you'd smell too.. Have fun going back to your workless, ladies that lunch lives.. Lol that's what I'd say in my head.
Please try not to let it get to you, from what you've said, there's nothing you can do.. Is your employer willing to let you finish 5 minutes earlier just so you can freshen up as much as possible. Can it be taken off your break?
I work in a hospital and often come home smelling of hospital.. If someone even dared tell me I smelled, I'll remember that next time you need treatment in a hospital! Twats.

I'm just impressed that you work 12 hrs then do drop off, good for you. Fuck the clueless arseholes.

I can't stand rudeness. I think if I overheard someone say that about me I'd have to pull them up on it. "I've worked 12 hours and have come straight here. Do you have a problem with that?"

What the hell are they teaching their kids? To be arseholes like them I assume.

@Jen871 YANBU to be upset that people are commenting on how you smell after a long work shift - if you are outside it shouldn't affect others too much. Can you put a non-work coat over the top as a barrier?

The annoying part is that these women don't work. They drop their kids off to school and then god knows what, they have no idea the 12 hour shift I've just done and how hard me and my husband work to be able to afford the luxuries we have
YABU here to assume they don't work and just do 'god knows what'. I know a professor who used to drop her kids in her joggers and people assumed she didn't work as it wasn't obvious to them.

Is there no other job you can do during the day that would pay as well? I always worked but no way would I have worked all night in a stinking meat factory.

Who should then? Someone has to! Riculous comment.

I would be worried that your ds will end up getting picked on, people are horrible and it rubs off on their kids, if the adults are saying you smell their kids will soon pick up on it. Can you not change before leaving work? It would only take 5 minutes to strip off and put some clean clothes on, spay yourself with something nice and then take ds to school?

I have worked in a few factories and it’s always been factored into the work hours that you need time to get dressed/undressed? You should be wearing some kind of overalls to protect your clothes and shoe covers?

Who are these people saying they can change and spray in 30 seconds?
And if it were possible, the OP would be doing it, she nowhere mentions in her post that she hasn't got a brain. I think some people just can't visualise being in such a situation, so think there must be an answer that the OP hasn't thought of yet.

It is horrible of these people to speak like that, without considering, or not caring, why there is a smell.