Do i have to tell her?

telling the truth - tell it or keep it?
@kring_m (107)
Philippines
April 1, 2007 10:22pm CST
They say that our body odor depends on the food that we eat, our body chemistry or the way we keep proper hygiene. I have this friend and whenever we talk about our friends she always talk of unpleasant things about them, like our other friend who has a bad breath, bad odor, etc.. I know it is not right to talk like that about our friends knowing that we're all like sisters. And i think she doesn't have the right to bad mouth, because, she also has a body odor! And whenever we walk just a few blocks away from school or sometimes at the mall, I swear! She really smells bad! But what surprises me is that, she eats healthy foods and she takes a bath 3 times a day. So, do i have to tell her that she doesn't smell good? What are the things I have to consider before telling her? Or do I have to keep my mouth shut for the rest of my life not doing anything about it?
8 people like this
18 responses
@mickidmw (992)
• United States
2 Apr 07
Wow, rough one! hard to say #1 WHY DOES SHE BATHE 3 TIMES A DAY! That is NOT good for the skin! #2 Buy her some underarm deoderant as part of a treat yourself foo foo kit! #3 Tell her. I cannot believe she cannot smell herself. Has she been sick???
1 person likes this
@kring_m (107)
• Philippines
4 Apr 07
buying her a deodorant or antiperspirant would be offending on her part. and maybe the reason why she can't smell herself is because she was too immune with the smell..
• United States
2 Apr 07
Maybe the answer is to send her anonymous note. You will be able to be frank with her and she will not know it was you.
1 person likes this
@kring_m (107)
• Philippines
4 Apr 07
actually, i was thinking about that.. :)
• India
2 Apr 07
well had i been there and my friend would have been at ur place, I would have in 99% cases told my friend becuase already i am popular as a blunt striaghtforward outspoken guy!!! but in a one percent case, where the friend of mine being referred here, is too much sensitive or minds up things easily, then this might stop me because of the fact that my outspoken nature has already hurt others a lot!!then why more....but as a genuine friend one should....coz if something is getting wrong, but is corrigible, then it is better if someone your won warns you of it and u get it correected, befoire a third party comments anything about it!!!
1 person likes this
@onabreak2 (1161)
• United States
2 Apr 07
There really is no nice way to tell someone they stink. If someone eats onions or garlic it seems to seep out of their skin or something. I hate to sit on the bus next to someone who smells like onion or garlic. It makes me sick. I had a friend who had bad b.o in high school. I cant believe they cant know they stink. That is probably why she takes so many baths. Tell her you found a really good deodorant that last a couple of days and if you miss a day you don't stink. It is mitchums and it works. Good luck. Oh and people that have really really bad breath usually have teeth problems.
@kring_m (107)
• Philippines
2 Apr 07
lolz.. well thanks for responding to this discussion and for the good advice you gave. maybe the reason why they can't smell their selves is because they're already immune with the smell.. feel sorry for those people.... :(
1 person likes this
@catcai (1056)
• Philippines
3 Apr 07
I think you should tell her, i think shes like that to your other friends because of she doesn't smell herself. I guess she's become immune to her smell that she doesn't notice it anymore. Maybe she needs to use a deodorant, you can suggest that she use one too or better yet give her a deodorant, and just make it clear that your not giving it to her to insult her or anything. If you are trully her friend i'm sure she would listen to you and not take it againts you. Just make sure you say it in a nice, concerned way. I think even if she takes a bath thrice a day as long as she's not really cleaning her body properly, then its no use.
@kring_m (107)
• Philippines
4 Apr 07
she does have a deodorant but i wonder why she's not using it.. :(
• Singapore
2 Apr 07
This is a very tricky. If she takes it the wrong way, that might be the end of your friendship. Perhaps you can choose a suitable time to tell her. As for what defines "suitable", I think you would be the best judge. She would have to be happy enough not to flare up, and be receptive enough. One trick to use may be after telling her about her "problem", you can add that you know this happens to you sometimes too (even though it may not be the case hehe). It just might make her feel better. ;-)
@kring_m (107)
• Philippines
2 Apr 07
hahaha... i think that would be too much of me to say.. i know for myself that i don't stink (unless i do not take a bath for a week.. lolz... :p) i'll try ur suggestion.. tnx! you're really a wiz.. :)
@KrisNY (7590)
• United States
2 Apr 07
I would most certainly tell her- If you're a good friend. I'd tell my friend if they were smelly. I would want my friends to tell me- Perhaps she doesn't notice it- But if she is that smelly I can't see how she wouldn't- Maybe you could suggest or buy for her a new soap-- Drop hints.. I just love this smell-- what do you think. Try some deodarant-- Buy a new kind-- same kind of thing. Be nice about it-- I wonder why she does have body odor if she showers that much?
@steney (1418)
• Philippines
2 Apr 07
I would appreciate if my friend told me the truth. No matter how bad the truth may seem, as a good friend, it is your duty to tell her. She might not be aware of it, as it is the case with most people who suffer from body odor or even halitosis. There are other underlying factors other than the food one eats and the frequency of bathing. It could be something in her body system that makes her emit odor through sweat, or maybe she needs to use a stronger deodorant for that matter. Whatever the reason may be, it is best that you inform her right away so she can do something about it. This can also be a humbling experience for her, because as you said, she is fond of bad mouthing other people who have body odor, bad breath, etc. Maybe this will serve as a lesson for her to look at herself first before judging other people. You can help her both ways as she might even change her attitude after telling her, so goodluck! :)
• United States
2 Apr 07
If she is a true friend then she would be greatful that you told her.. I may get mad at first for them to tell me that I smell bad. But in the end I would be greatful that they told me.. I would tell her in private..and tell her that you care about her and that you are doing it not to hurt her but to help her..
@healer (1779)
• India
2 Apr 07
Its your friend so frankly tell her she will simply like you and trust you in the future also. People say there are metabolic problems that can cause this. If your friend is probably not aware of it, and I guess your friend bathes frequently lol. Anyway ask her to go for some medical check up.
• Philippines
2 Apr 07
That sounds not too good after you saying that she takes 3 showers a day and even eat healthy foods. Well, does she use deodorant? Or maybe the one she's using is not just as effective? Maybe you can be honest to her and suggest her to use the one you're using.
@juliefaye (1214)
• Philippines
2 Apr 07
Body odor is not just on the food or improper hygiene. The following are some causes of body odor: 1. Liver and intestines may be clogged up causing odors to emanate from the body. 2. Dietary imbalances resulting in deficiency of magnesium and zinc 3. Kidney or liver disease, fungal infection These are one of the reasons aside from excessive sweat. If i were on your shoe, i'd rather tell her that she smells bad in a way that is polite so she won't get hurt.
@kring_m (107)
• Philippines
2 Apr 07
thanks for the scientific explanations you did but still i don't know how to tell her the truth because for sure, she will get hurt and maybe, will have a lower self-esteem and self-confidence.. :(
• United States
2 Apr 07
best thing to do is to tell your friend. no one can tell her except you. if you cant say it in person, why not give her a gift? a deodorant? that may help you tell her that she smells. attach a note apologizing for not telling her face to face. and that you dont mean to upset her(if ever she'll be upset) that you dont want to hurt her but you need to tell the fact. i know it sounds a bit rude but i think there is no other nice way to tell her. hope this helps you. ^^,
@bad1981 (799)
• United States
2 Apr 07
Id tell her in a nice way, and as a friend you can do that. Someone else might tell her and it will be rude and it hurt her.
@kathy77 (7486)
• Australia
2 Apr 07
Yes this is right body odour does come from the food that we eat. oh what kind of friend is she anyway as if she is talking about other friends like this especially as she has bad odour herself then she is nothing but a hibercrite. Yes but the problem is that a lot of people do not use deodorant and then they will stink. No I would try to say something nicely when she brings up the subject ask her does she use deodorant and what does she think that these friends could do to elliminate the smell and then maybe she will get the hint.
@marlyse (1056)
• Switzerland
2 Apr 07
i would try to talk with her. gently but she needs to know the truth. maybe you can help her to find out why she smells bad. that helps to get her through that situation, and maybe she see what shes doing with badmouthing about friends.
• United States
2 Apr 07
i would tell my friend.but i wouldnt sound mean everyone gets that way some times.because when your walking of course you are going to get sweaty.so tell her.
• India
2 Apr 07
Yes it would be better if you tell her that she smells the same way as she feels about other. This would stop her from telling anything bad about others. Hope she will do something to stop that bad odour.