How to tell someone that they smell bad

It is possible that during our day to day we have to interact with someone who does not smell particularly good. These types of situations are usually quite uncomfortable and can cause us a certain level of confusion and tension. This is because it is difficult for us to know how to act and what to do in order not to hurt the feelings of others, but at the same time we feel rejected when faced with such an unpleasant stimulus.

There are several coping strategies for being with someone who smells bad, be it a friend, your partner or a co-worker. In the following Psychology-Online article, we will expose the best ways to manage the situation and know how to tell someone that they smell bad.

Index

1. What to do when someone smells bad
2. How to tell a partner that he smells bad without offending
3. People who smell bad

Body odor is one of the most unpleasant sensations when interacting with others, it takes us away from that a person who does not smell good and is likely to be uncomfortable not knowing what to do when someone smells wrong. These types of sensations are completely normal but we have to resolve the situation in the best possible way. Here are some strategies we can use if we don't know what to do when someone smells bad.

1. Ignore the problem

There are people who choose to ignore the smell and continue to maintain the same type of relationship with that person. Ignoring the smell avoids coming into conflict with that person. This style of coping not very effective if the bad smell is extremely unpleasant. It is best to understand the situation and make a mature and courageous decision.

2. Avoid that person

Many individuals often choose to stay away from the one who smells bad. If they avoid the company, they avoid the smell and that can be a quick and effective solution. However, it may not be so easy for us to get away from that person. If you are a co-worker or someone very close, it is best to propose a solution based on communication.

3. Talk about your body odor

Talking to someone about your bad smell depends on many factors. Depending on the type of relationship we have, we must choose a communicative style or another. Before talking to that person, it is important to stop for a moment to think how we can communicate it in the best possible way, being clear but without damaging their feelings.

If the person who does not have a good body odor is someone we appreciate, it is best to let them know. If we decide to talk about things directly, it will be better to follow a series of tips to facilitate the most appropriate communication possible:

• Find out first if he has a hormonal problem or some kind of change: It is possible that that person is already aware of your situation, there are several hormonal problems that produce quite unpleasant body odors. Before you share your thoughts with him, you need to find out if he already knows and is doing something to avoid it.
• Try the indirectLeaving an air freshener, giving him a deodorant, or offering him a peppermint can all look good ideas at first, however, clearer language may be necessary to deal with this type of topics.
• Look for the best moment: Not always is the best situation to tell someone that they smell bad. It is important to find a quiet moment in which the other is attentive and willing to listen to what we have to say.
• Talk to him or her in a private place: To know how to tell someone who smells bad, it is very important to communicate the situation in a place where you do not feel attacked and can take the news with relative ease.

There are many reasons why someone may smell bad, and not all are due to poor personal hygiene. That is why we should not accuse them of being irresponsible or lazy and our speech should not be aimed at making them feel guilty of your situation. Sometimes people who have a bad smell may be conscious and feel high levels of stress and anxiety when interacting with others.

There is a disease called bromhidrosis which consists specifically in smelling bad. This disease is related to the apocrine glands which are affected by a malfunction and secrete a sweat of different characteristics. Bromhidrosis is of genetic or physical origin and is practically uncontrollable, it can only be treated through very specific guidelines, hygiene and care routines.

Finally, it is important to comment that the subject of body odor is something quite delicate, it requires patience and a good training to learn to be assertive, no one is going to be happy if we tell them that it smells bad, however, sometimes it is a comment that we believe it is necessary to do for our personal well-being and for the environment that we share with that person.

This article is merely informative, in Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.

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