A smelly situation

LegacyUser

Hi,
I need some advice. I work in a fitness centre and have a client who absolutely stinks and its not the kinda smell from exercising its like she didn't wash her clothes for a week!
Some days she doesn't smell much but other days its absolutely repulsive and makes me want to vomit! How in the name of Jesus do I sort this out?? I know I need to say something to her but HOW and WHAT do I say without seeming like a complete bitch?

Please some serious advice is needed, I can't hack it for much longer!

Neyite

Unless you are the manager, and you've made a decision to forgo any further income from the client when she cancels her membership and causes a loss of business for the organisation by telling her friends and family then I don't think you can say anything to her. Having worked in retail, I can tell you that some customers who absolutely reek. It's par for the course and you don't say anything. I even memorably had an auld wan that pissed on my newly mopped and spotless floor. I just waited until she left and re-did it.

Bring it to the attention of your boss, and let them decide how to deal with it or not. If you bring it up yourself with a customer you could end up being the subject of a complaint, or disciplinary even.

Diamond Doll

I don't think it's your place to say anything to her. If anything, you could approach your own manager and ask that you don't work closely with her, if it's really affecting you that much. Unfortunately though, I think the most professional thing you can do is just grin and bear it.

magicmushroom

If someone told me I smelt, I can guarantee I would never go back there again. So I'm 99% sure you'd be losing a client. And also causing her deep embarrassment which could really affect her.

Have you had complaints from other customers?

I don't think there's anything you can do, maybe just try and avoid her.
I would think though that in your profession, this is just one of those unfortunate parts of the job.
Like a beautician having to deal with smelly feet or a dentist with bad breath.
I work in credit control and my 'perk' is getting regularly abused and sworn at almost every day :eek:

PinkLemonade

You have to say something as your being unfair on all the other customers in your gym otherswise. You can't not say it in fear you'll lose business from her, she could be driving off business!

I'd talk to your manager first though, this has to be handled sensitively

lollsangel

You could perhaps put out a members memo that there has been complaints about certain members and their personal hygiene. And in the case of health and safety you require that people use clean clothes each day for the gym?

fussyonion

I'd say it to the gym manager. It's up to him/her to discuss it with your client.
In the gym I go to, it's common for customers to complain to managerial staff if someone is absolutely stinking.

freshpopcorn

My aunt used be a manger of a gym back In the 2000's. She noticed the smell and left it go and when other customers started complaining she had a chat with the woman because it was effecting there business.
The lady thrown a bit of a hissey fit and got annoyed for a bit but when her weight loss continued and she achieved her target she became friendly with my aunt again.
This was however a very hands on gym with its members and my aunt was the manger and got complaints so she had to deal with it. I'd suggest you chat to your manager.

stickyfinger

If I were the woman in the gym I'd rather be told that I smelled. It's difficult to say and difficult to hear I'd imagine. I have said it to someone before and they took it ok, said they genuinely didn't know, and said they were glad that someone told them, and they did something about it. Then again, I would definitely check with management before saying anything when it's in your workplace, and be prepared to lose the client.

CaraMay

How do people not know they smell so bad? Yep mention it to the manager

Teyla Emmagan

If I was a member of your gym I would find someone like that lady massively off putting. I have a very sensitive sense of smell, and to me there is nothing worse than breathing hard (as you should be doing in the gym) and getting a mouthful of stench with every breath!! It would actually put me off the whole place.

Neon_Lights

sheepyshenanigans wrote: »

Hi,
I need some advice. I work in a fitness centre and have a client who absolutely stinks and its not the kinda smell from exercising its like she didn't wash her clothes for a week!
Some days she doesn't smell much but other days its absolutely repulsive and makes me want to vomit! How in the name of Jesus do I sort this out?? I know I need to say something to her but HOW and WHAT do I say without seeming like a complete bitch?

Please some serious advice is needed, I can't hack it for much longer!

Wear a nosepeg and spray her with some deodrant before her session. She'll get the message.

Mod Note:

Poster banned.

MrWalsh

CaraMay wrote: »

How do people not know they smell so bad? Yep mention it to the manager

Lots of reasons. Mental health issues (neglecting personal hygiene), sinus issues (just cant smell it), economic issues (just cant afford to replace the washing machine) etc....

Some people just have different personal standards than others.

I would issue a global edict and put notices up requesting that all members endeavour to practice good person hygiene for the safety and comfort of all other members.

Riskymove

MrWalsh wrote: »

Lots of reasons. Mental health issues (neglecting personal hygiene), sinus issues (just cant smell it), economic issues (just cant afford to replace the washing machine) etc....

obviously none of us know the reasons but I'd just like to add that it can actually happen for medical reasons

years ago I worked in an organization who had an employee in that situation. It wasn't pleasant or easy to deal with as a colleague but it was even more difficult for the person themselves as there was little they could do about it.

the person eventually left work due to a breakdown and unfortunately took their own life


so we should always be careful about how we approach these issues

fussyonion

Funny enough I was thinking more about this today and I think the problem is probably that your client could be wearing the same outfit days in a row and they were probably left, damp and sweaty, in her gym bag with damp towels?

Only reason I say this...When I take off my gym clothes, I put them in a plastic bag, then I shower and put my wet towels in the same bag.
I get home and throw it all in the wash.

But it stinks if left. I accidentally left that bag in the boot of my car the other day and the smell was horrible. Musty and dirty.
So that might be it?

Flippyfloppy

fussyonion wrote: »

Funny enough I was thinking more about this today and I think the problem is probably that your client could be wearing the same outfit days in a row and they were probably left, damp and sweaty, in her gym bag with damp towels?

Only reason I say this...When I take off my gym clothes, I put them in a plastic bag, then I shower and put my wet towels in the same bag.
I get home and throw it all in the wash.

But it stinks if left. I accidentally left that bag in the boot of my car the other day and the smell was horrible. Musty and dirty.
So that might be it?

That's what I was thinking. Maybe she just has one set of gym clothes? Not that it makes it right!