Dealing with Other Students Who Have a Foul Odor

Is it correct you have encountered other students who literally stink? Are you interested in learning what to do if you come into contact with fellow classmates who smell bad? There are steps you can take to address the problem. You will learn how to deal with other students who have hygiene problems.

You have the option of sitting or standing back. If you and others continually do this, the offenders should get the message.

You can hold your nose. I usually do this when someone who has just been smoking heavily outside suddenly sits down at a computer next to the one I am using at a local university computer lab. In addition to covering my nose, I move back as far as I can before maybe deciding to go to another computer station.

If they reek from tobacco smoke, you can bring it to their attention. Once when I talked with a student who had just smoked, I asked, "Have you been smoking?" After he admitted he just smoked a cigar, I said, "It made you smell horrible."

If they reek from sweat or exercising in hot weather, you must call them to account. Once after I stopped by the admissions office to register for the fall semester after taking a long walk in hot weather, a student waiting in line behind me stepped back and said to a fellow student behind her, "He stinks." I paid the price for walking a long way to my campus audiovisual assistant position in hot summer weather. Once when I reached my hand across a fellow worker training me in the audio control room to touch something, he asked me not to reach my underarm across him, then he walked out. I lost my job at the end of the summer.

If they have poor breath, there are ways you can bring it to their attention. One is to offer them a breath mint. Another is to ask, "Did you brush your teeth?"

If they reek from not bathing, you can diplomatically let them have it. You should ask, "When was the last time you took a bath or shower and put on deodorant?"

You must stand your ground. You can refuse to hang out with or get close to them. You can also be persistent in holding your nose and complaining. If they live on the dorm with you and refuse to bathe, you must report them.

Follow these steps to deal with other students who have hygiene problems!