How would you handle a college student with incredible body odor?
By The Horse
@TheHorse (205287)
Walnut Creek, California
November 15, 2018 3:41pm CST
Actually, I wouldn't handle him at all. I can stand being close to him. He's 18 or so, and has some challenges, including mild autism, some developmental delays, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
But he is not obsessive or compulsive about hygiene. I don't believe he has been taught that once one is well into adolescence, in American culture at least, one should shower occasionally. Some people here deodorant and some do not. Most do, I think.
His body odor is so bad that it stinks up the entire classroom. It overwhelms me as I lecture 15 feet in front of him. What would you do? As a fellow student to discreetly inform the student about the issue? Tell him myself (in these PC times, I worry that I would be fired)?
I've taught college for 30 years and have never experienced this particular issue. At least not in this degree.
22 people like this
28 responses
@cindiowens (5120)
• North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
15 Nov 18
Is this a special college class? If not, then I would privately talk to him about it. After all, the other people in the class need to be able to learn the material as well. It would sound a lot better coming from you than some of the other students. You know how mean they can be. I am sure the smell is a distraction to them as it is to you. Maybe there is something that you don't know about preventing him from being able to shower???
5 people like this
@cindiowens (5120)
• North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
15 Nov 18
@TheHorse That's too bad. By Indian, you mean from India? I know their culture is different, but I would think it would include teaching your children to be clean.
3 people like this
@xFiacre (12614)
• Ireland
15 Nov 18
@thehorse Perhaps make a general humorous announcement to the whole class to the effect that we all need to remember to shower every day, or ask the whole class if they prefer hot or cold showers and hope he picks up that once you’re 18 you need to do so frequently? Gentle, oblique references might however go over his head.
4 people like this
@MommyOfEli2013 (81908)
• Rupert, Idaho
15 Nov 18
I knew someone like that when I was in high school. It was hard be around them in classes and such. Not sure what I would do if I were in your situation though. Hopefully someone has some good advice though!
5 people like this
@MommyOfEli2013 (81908)
• Rupert, Idaho
16 Nov 18
@TheHorse I definitely understand....hard to know what to do when you have to worry about your job being on the line.
@MALUSE (69416)
• Germany
16 Nov 18
Whichever way you choose, it will be a shock for the student.
You could explain in the letter that you've chosen this way because the topic is embarrassing and you are too cowardly to address him directly, but that you feel you should do something in order to help him.
1 person likes this
@Namelesss (3368)
• United States
15 Nov 18
Pull him aside and tell him bluntly. Forget PC just be honest and forthright. Even special needs people appreciate that and likely no one has ever told him bluntly that he stinks and needs to bathe everyday, other than possibly his family. What kid listens to mom and dad? Ask him straight up if he knows what deodorant is and how to use it. If not, there's your opportunity to teach him something of real value.
If others don't like it send him to their office to sit a spell.
3 people like this
@TheHorse (205287)
• Walnut Creek, California
16 Nov 18
@Namelesss Fortunately, my allergies have been acting up lately, so I probably can't smell it as much as my students. Heh. That's selfish, isn't it?
@Namelesss (3368)
• United States
16 Nov 18
@TheHorse Well if you're afraid to speak up then...
1 person likes this
@hillhjill (23664)
• United States
15 Nov 18
I would pull him to the said and tell him in privet so that he don't get embarrassed and just be honest and tell him that it's disturbing the class and that you don't want any of the students to be rude to him about it.
3 people like this
@TheHorse (205287)
• Walnut Creek, California
16 Nov 18
@playertwo When you're really young, like in middle school and early high school, I think you can be honest with your friends. But as adults, it becomes more difficult.
@GardenGerty (157494)
• United States
16 Nov 18
@TheHorse Perfume over sweat is nauseating. We had a problem in a choir I sang in. We wore robes even in the summer. We sweated. Every person wore aftershave, cologne, perfume, hair care items and scented deodorant. Our choir president would bluntly, two or three times a year would make this announcement about coming clean, but unscented to sing. Maybe you need to make a blunt announcement to the class to please come clean, and unscented.
@nawala123 (20852)
• Indonesia
16 Nov 18
just imagine, i have friend in my workplace with such condition, bad odor
1 person likes this
@nawala123 (20852)
• Indonesia
16 Nov 18
@TheHorse yes, and finally he took deodorant and rub in his armpit
1 person likes this
@Aquitaine24 (11653)
• San Jose, California
16 Nov 18
A lot of schools have rules about that kind of thing.Maybe a poster of the rules?
1 person likes this
@Aquitaine24 (11653)
• San Jose, California
17 Nov 18
@TheHorse Well, sometimes places have posters or notices about stayimh home if you feel sick.Something along that line cpuld apply here, since it asks people to be considerate of others.
@LeaPea2417 (36399)
• Toccoa, Georgia
16 Nov 18
I would just be honest with him and say in this culture, people wash themselves by taking baths and showers so they can stay healthy. They wash their clothes in washing machines or by hand, so that they don't stink to where they offend others. I would say, he needs to clean himself up or he wont be allowed back in the class.
1 person likes this
@Fleura (29097)
• United Kingdom
16 Nov 18
That is a difficult issue. Perhaps he just has no sense of smell?
Everyone prefers a different approach. If it was me, I would prefer if you took me to one side and simply had a direct but discreet word. But some people would take that the wrong way. Still something does need to be done - not only for the rest of the class but because he has the rest of his life ahead of him and surely doesn't want everyone he approaches to fall down in a faint!
Maybe you could get him soap for Christmas??
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
16 Nov 18
I would go to my boss and ask them to address this problem. If no one had told on him, your boss does not know. Tell, ask for help.
1 person likes this
