A delicate problem

Aveline

Good suggestion but not sure I've got the nerve to actually do it. The person might never speak to me again and I'd hate that. I'll keep thinking.

I'd mention it framed as " You and I trust each other completely so I know if I ever had this problem , you'd tell me right away ".

Some odours (that aren't leaks) are linked to serious health issues that need to be investigated. It's a surprising list.

iere.org/what-diseases-can-be-detected-by-smell/#google_vignette

Could you tell a white lie and say you have been asked to do some market research and you have to find two more people to do it.Then say its a shampoo brand you have to test out,and give the person a bottle of sweet smelling shampoo.Tell them They have to use it at least twice a week and then report if it has made their hair stay fresh smelling.Say you are enjoying testing it.Worth a try?

It would depend on how close a relationship you have with the person. I could quite easily tell my husband or sons they had started to smell, and I would fully expect them to tell me if I did, no.offence taken, just grateful to be told. But other than very close family, it's a tricky one.

Personally I think you owe it to this person to tell them what you have noticed. I would say something like ‘please don’t be offended but I know you would rather I mentioned it to you in case other people might notice’. Make it clear that no one else has said anything to you though. Suggest perhaps that deodorant isn’t effective enough in this hot weather. Of course they will probably be upset but I’m sure they would be grateful for you telling them. I know I certainly would rather than to think people were talking behind my back.

Patsy70

Well Lathyrus3 you might smell in this hot weather, but personally I make a point of not smelling! 😳 I realise that it is a sensitive subject, but I hate body odour and unpleasant smells, so would avoid close proximity or find a way of diplomatically telling them. Not easy, is it?

Everybody smells of something.

🤣🤣🤣

Old person smell caused by nonenal. Use Japanese persimmon soap. Available on Amazon and other retailers.

Yep... slightly damp clothes put in the wardrobe too soon stink greyfur.

Well Lathyrus3 you might smell in this hot weather, but personally I make a point of not smelling! 😳 I realise that it is a sensitive subject, but I hate body odour and unpleasant smells, so would avoid close proximity or find a way of diplomatically telling them. Not easy, is it?

I've seen her on a Tele programme years ago. Primrose. Amazing accuracy! I've smelt old persons smell on a few as well Petra. Not on me though 🤣

There is a special soap for old person smell. Sorry can't remember the name of it. A clever GN will know.

You could buy a bar or 2 and say you have bought it for you to use OP as you can't bear the thought of someone thinking you smell in this hot weather. And you really like it. Would you like to try it smell relly?

I would honestly really like to be told, kindly and helpfully as in including what might help solve it. Which might vary from shower more often or even someone might be needed to come in and help as in a carer.

but Aveline is it new? Has it sort of crept up and got worse? Perhaps if it has gradually got worse the person cannot smell it. Is it a case of this really hot weather making it worse.

Yes, I would be more direct, but still very tactful, with a man.

Here is the lady I mentioned who can sniff out Parkinson’s.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-34583642

There is such a thing as Old persons Smell
I’ve known about it for some years.

www.verywellhealth.com/old-people-smell-11922651

slightly damp clothes?

It depends on how close you are. I have a close friend who announced that she didn't bother using deodorant anymore "I don't sweat the way I used to". I joked and said "I'll be the judge of that." Ok She said. She didn't smell so maybe there's some truth in that. My housebound sister with COPD needs help with showering etc. If she's feeling very tired she says does my hair smell and if it does I say it's a bit whiffy. She'll let me wash her her the. So really depends on how well you get on with them.

I was reading about a lady who had such a keen sense of smell that she could pick out people who have parkinson’s and cancer. She was tested over and over in rooms with people who had parkinson’s and those who had not and the results were amazingly accurate.

Maybe your family person is not well. If it were me and a family member of mine I would tactfully suggest a GP visit.

I think you’ve got to put yourself in the position of the person who smells. If it were me who smelt, I’d be mortified if I thought people close to me hadn’t said something, and I was out and about, meeting other people too. It’s a cop out not to mention it if you’ve noticed it on more than one occasion I think, sorry.

Btw, how ever embarrassing it is, I’d far rather someone actually told me than just let it continue.

Unless it’s truly bothering you and others have commented, I’d say nothing.

However, if it’s someone very close and you’re worried about potential illness, I’d simply ask, “can you smell anything peculiar, I thought I did”

I know. I think I'll have to just leave it and try not to be in a confined space with the person. Just thought I'd try asking in case anyone had had a similar situation.

Don't stand down wind, seriously I wouldn't bother,let someone else have their head bitten off, it might be temporary, illness, washing machine suddenly packing up, who knows

Do you know an enfant terrible who could spend some time alone in an enclosed space with this person?

I think it needs to be more subtle if it’s a woman, you can start a conversation about hair products, shower gel or whatever, and rave about something you like, then say how often you feel the need to wash your hair, shower or whatever so hopefully she will realise what you’re driving at.

In my experience men are hopeless at picking up hints though, and if it was somebody I was close to, brother, dad, son etc. I’d come straight out with it and say you need to take a shower, I can smell you from here.

Don’t say anything, just leave it. You may offend and imo it’s just not worth it.

Good suggestion but not sure I've got the nerve to actually do it. The person might never speak to me again and I'd hate that. I'll keep thinking.