So there I was, at my desk at work minding my own business, when a coworker came along to use a piece of software on my computer which he couldn’t access on his own. He hadn’t been there three seconds when I noticed a bad smell. The bad smell got worse the longer he was there. He was there less than a minute. The smell peaked in intensity shortly after he left, when it reached almost overpowering levels, before finally fading away.
I suppose it would be rude to say anything. Or would it? How best to let someone know that they are a walking stink machine?
SHARK MESSIAH UPDATE: This blog has already reported immaculately conceived komodo dragons and chimps. Now we have reports of a virgin birth shark.
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May 27, 2007 at 8:30 am
Pete Aldin
Mark, I struggle with this one too. Do you say “Listen mate, because I care, I’m gonna tell you something: either your clothes or you are a bit smelly. And it’s a shame because you’re a good bloke but it’s undermining you”?
Do you paraphrase a Dirty Harry line and say with a sneer “Your deoderant ain’t makin it!”
Or do you just stay away, have a gas mask handy or get them fired?
May 27, 2007 at 8:52 am
markk
I think a lot depends on how friendly you are with the coworker. If the two of you get along well, the first approach you mentioned should work with no hard feelings. But if all you say to them normally is hi and bye, best leave it alone!
May 27, 2007 at 9:06 am
Pete Aldin
Or get around wearing a clothes peg on your nose. (Actually they hurt)
May 27, 2007 at 11:52 am
markk
Or stuff tissues up your nose. Less painful that way.
May 28, 2007 at 9:42 am
themolk
Or… just leave a can of deodorant with a bow around it when he isn’t at his desk…
May 28, 2007 at 9:48 am
markk
Or keep some coffee beans near your desk at all times for emergency sniffing :p
May 28, 2007 at 12:00 pm
someone pretending to be markk but who is probably his brother mat
Who was it? Pete P?
May 28, 2007 at 7:15 pm
Pete Aldin
Who is Pete P? Peter Parker?
May 28, 2007 at 8:54 pm
markk
Mat, what have I told you about posting comments while logged in as me? Geez.
May 29, 2007 at 6:11 pm
website copywriter
I was going to suggest leaving him a deodorant on his desk, too. But you could always breathe through your mouth when he’s around.
May 31, 2007 at 8:53 am
SaRz
I dunno bout smelly co-workers, but on a different note, say he had food/drink on his face…I think you ought to tell him straight away…
Not wait an hour or two later…
*ahem*friday*cough*
=p
May 31, 2007 at 9:58 am
markk
Or you could just watch her walk around for hours with a huge brown moustache. That would be fun!