Would you shy away from telling someone you dont really know that their breath stank?

Neil3030

I was doing some work with a colleague this afternoon, who I've only recently met. Her breath absolutely stunk, and the nature of how we were sitting at fairly small desk meant that every time she spoke, it would assault just about every one of my senses.

I tried the polite approach of eating a chewing gum and then offering her one.

She declined.

I probed a little further,

"Are you sure you don't want one, I'm bloody addicted to these things."

"No, no, I'm fine."

So I left it at that and just powered through the work as swiftly as possible. My eyes were practically watering by the end.

Anyone else had this situation? What's the etiquette here? I don't want to humiliate the poor girl but by Christ I don't think I could take another sitting with her if its a recurring problem.

chin_grin

Falcon punch.

Neil3030

chin_grin wrote: »

Falcon punch.

Illegal in Italy, sadly.

Icyseanfitz

offer her a tic tac, then the next day offer her one of those fishermans friends keep offering ****e like that until she gets the hint

Chuck Stone

Is she hot?

If she's not hot it doesn't matter. Just pretend you died or something.

For Forks Sake

Blast her with listerine

BraziliaNZ

yeah i've done it before, suggested to people that they should brush their teeth if it's really bad - i'd hope people would say the same to me too!

Blast her with Listerine.

Repost, jaysus.

Saila

just say as you offer her a chewing gum "so when did that bird crawl down your throat and die?"

Chuck Stone

Blast her with listerine.

KeithM89_old

Make a letter out of newspapers cuttings telling her she stinks and leave on her desk.

Saila

Neil3030 wrote: »

Illegal in Italy, sadly.

must be all the garlic they put in the bolognaise

RichieC

if it's halitosis or something like that the mint wont help, in fact it will just make the smell that much more tart... *eyes water*

orourkeda

For Forks Sake wrote: »

Blast her with listerine

Blast her with pisterine

My name is URL

I wouldn't mention it to someone I didn't really know. There's any number of reasons that her breath could have stunk.. certain medications and conditions can cause bad breath so it'd be a bit risky/unfair to put it down to bad hygiene.

amacachi

Neil3030 wrote: »

I was doing some work with a colleague this afternoon, who I've only recently met. Her breath absolutely stunk, and the nature of how we were sitting at fairly small desk meant that every time she spoke, it would assault just about every one of my senses.

I tried the polite approach of eating a chewing gum and then offering her one.


She declined.

I probed a little further,

"Are you sure you don't want one, I'm bloody addicted to these things."

"No, no, I'm fine."

So I left it at that and just powered through the work as swiftly as possible. My eyes were practically watering by the end.

Anyone else had this situation? What's the etiquette here? I don't want to humiliate the poor girl but by Christ I don't think I could take another sitting with her if its a recurring problem.

Subtlety isn't your strong point is it?

jester77

cock breath can be nasty

Dublin Chick

My name is URL wrote: »

I wouldn't mention it to someone I didn't really know. There's any number of reasons that her breath could have stunk.. certain medications and conditions can cause bad breath so it'd be a bit risky/unfair to put it down to bad hygiene.

Do you want a mint?:D

MungBean

You say "Did you have garlic for lunch ?" Whether she did or didnt she'll know her breath stinks but wont take offence hopefully. Offer a mint or chewing gum shortly afterwards and she'll take it.

Problem solved.

Sykk

Day 1: Offer chewing gum
Day 2: Offer Tic Tac
Day 3: Offer XXX Mint
Day 4: Offer tooth brush and listerine
Day 5: Offer voucher to the dentist

I've come across this before and never had the balls to tell the person. It would come across as rather offensive, but now that I think of it, their breath was offensive.

Abi

jester77 wrote: »

cock breath can be nasty

What do you use for it?

biko

Say, "it's doesn't smell much but it makes my eyes water".

Stiffler2

You should step in dog $hit on purpose as a backup.
Then next time she unleashes her wrath just say.

"Jasus" ( while wafting at your nose ) make a couple of sniffs as well
"Did someone stand in dog$hit or is it just me"

make sure you also have chewing gum on the table
hopefully she'll get the hint, if not just wipe your shoe under her table
She won't want to sit there for long

livinsane

Start wearing those paper masks that painters use.

Lando Griffin

This is surly a task for your HR department to undertake.
You should mention it to them and ask to remain anonymous as I am sure you are not the first person to notice.
Sit back and observe how professionally the complaint is dealt with by the HR department, followed by immence weeping and crying and and a look of oh sh*t on the HR persons face.
Reinact the situtation in the pub and have a good laugh over a few beers.

EdenHazard

thats manky **** situation to be in mate ughhh

Angeles

Neil3030 wrote: »

I tried the polite approach of eating a chewing gum and then offering her one.

She declined.

Ok she either has no sense of smell or is just plain scummy.
I don't know anyone who has had a case of bad breath and not actually been aware of it.

Next time your beside her with this case, start randomly heaving and putting your hand to your mouth as if to throw up, then when she asks if your ok? offer her chewing gum again.

Capt'n Midnight

jester77 wrote: »

cock breath can be nasty

How did you find that out ?


On second thoughts you needn't answer

Red Hand

I used to work with someone like that before. Her breath smelled like dog poo...it was unreal.