How do you let someone know they have stinky breath?

@TheHorse (238294)

• Walnut Creek, California

11 Oct 17

I should give a lecture about oral hygiene at the beginning of the semester.

2 people like this

Judy Evans

@JudyEv (381942)

• Rockingham, Australia

11 Oct 17

I wouldn't say anything but is there any way to tell if you have bad breath yourself? That's what worries me.

4 people like this

@TheHorse (238294)

• Walnut Creek, California

11 Oct 17

I try to test it now and then. In my case, I'm sure my preschool kids would let me know. One asked if I was pregnant once.

4 people like this

DianneN

@DianneN (254931)

• United States

11 Oct 17

@TheHorse

4 people like this

Judy Evans

@JudyEv (381942)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 Oct 17

@TheHorse And were you?

That would send me on a diet pretty quick.

3 people like this

patgalca

@patgalca (18481)

• Orangeville, Ontario

11 Oct 17

I don't say anything. It's hard though because there are some people who really come up close to talk and I wish they would just let me keep my space then I wouldn't have to smell their breath. If I can smell their breath than they are too close.

4 people like this

patgalca

@patgalca (18481)

• Orangeville, Ontario

11 Oct 17

@TheHorse I have a highly sensitive sense of smell. I smell stuff that isn't even there. So I'm guessing I could smell it and quite possibly bother me.

2 people like this

@TheHorse (238294)

• Walnut Creek, California

11 Oct 17

My breath smells like ambrosia and nectar (and Altoids), so it wouldn't bother you.

1 person likes this

@TheHorse (238294)

• Walnut Creek, California

15 Oct 17

@patgalca I have a sensitive sense of smell too. Sigh.

1 person likes this

Shavkat

@Shavkat (141906)

• Philippines

11 Oct 17

I usually bring chewing gums with me. I don't need to say foul statements towards a person with halitosis. I offer a gum to ease up breathing with this person.

2 people like this

Shavkat

@Shavkat (141906)

• Philippines

12 Oct 17

@TheHorse Then, I will endure the agony.lol

2 people like this

@TheHorse (238294)

• Walnut Creek, California

11 Oct 17

That sounds like a good plan. But what if they say no?

2 people like this

@TheHorse (238294)

• Walnut Creek, California

15 Oct 17

@Shavkat The humanity!

2 people like this

Kharla Jolly

@kobesbuddy (78833)

• East Tawas, Michigan

11 Oct 17

My suggestion, similar to how you take care of your own breath. Kindly offer that person a breath mint, while taking one yourself, first. This will help resolve the problem, without saying a single word:)

3 people like this

@TheHorse (238294)

• Walnut Creek, California

11 Oct 17

I've done that. When they say "No, thanks," I suddenly remember that I have an important meeting to go to.

2 people like this

Kharla Jolly

@kobesbuddy (78833)

• East Tawas, Michigan

11 Oct 17

@TheHorse LOL Good for you, your breathing is a whole lot more important than another person's silly question!

1 person likes this

Felicia Kane

@DesirousDreamer (34776)

• Peoria, Arizona

11 Oct 17

I normally just try to keep my distance or smell my arm or sleeve or something. and if they are one of those people that are always in my face then I just slowly say halllitoooosisss. And then leave, I am way too sensitive to smells haha

3 people like this

@TheHorse (238294)

• Walnut Creek, California

11 Oct 17

A am too and always have been.

1 person likes this

kiran8

@kiran8 (15348)

• Mangalore, India

25 Oct 17

I have the same problem , some of my colleagues have such awful breath that it becomes difficult to make conversation . They insist on coming close while speaking which makes it worse . I honestly don't know how to tackle that.

2 people like this

kiran8

@kiran8 (15348)

• Mangalore, India

25 Oct 17

@TheHorse I feel that is a combination of poor dental hygiene and drinking not enough water especially in a tropical country like ours where we need to drink a lot of water .

1 person likes this

@TheHorse (238294)

• Walnut Creek, California

25 Oct 17

Can you tell where their stinky breath comes from? Is it gum disease? Is it anxiety? Is it poor dental hygiene? Is it some deeper disease? I'm always curious.

2 people like this

divalounger

@divalounger (6182)

• United States

11 Oct 17

I offer breath mints!

2 people like this

@TheHorse (238294)

• Walnut Creek, California

11 Oct 17

Do you first say, "Your breath smells like baby poop"?

1 person likes this

rebel_woman06

@SIMPLYD (90717)

• Philippines

12 Oct 17

It' a hard situation because when the person talks to you in a close manner, you have no choice but to bear it. Though sometimes, I would stand and pretend to get a tissue and blow my nose so I can go near the trash bin on the corner of my table place.

2 people like this

rebel_woman06

@SIMPLYD (90717)

• Philippines

12 Oct 17

@TheHorse

1 person likes this

@TheHorse (238294)

• Walnut Creek, California

12 Oct 17

I start thinking about laundry, and what shirts I have ready to change into.

2 people like this

Belle Starr (Iz)

@BelleStarr (61463)

• United States

25 Oct 17

It can be very awkward but if it someone you must have contact with then maybe a subtle offer of a Tictac might suffice. If they refuse, insist it would be a good idea, that should get the point across.

2 people like this

Belle Starr (Iz)

@BelleStarr (61463)

• United States

25 Oct 17

@TheHorse Well it beats pointing out that the odor of garlic sure does linger lol

1 person likes this

@TheHorse (238294)

• Walnut Creek, California

25 Oct 17

I'm not sure if that method would work for me.

2 people like this

Anna

@LadyDuck (502316)

• Italy

11 Oct 17

It's hard to say something, some people get offended. I would suggest to bring mints with you and to offer immediately some to the "offender".

2 people like this

Anna

@LadyDuck (502316)

• Italy

25 Oct 17

@TheHorse You eat one mint and offer one, just it was a candy, this way people should not feel offended.

1 person likes this

@TheHorse (238294)

• Walnut Creek, California

25 Oct 17

A student bummed a "f*g" from me last night. I enjoyed that. But I don't know if I'd feel comfortable proactively offering someone a mint.

2 people like this

fishtiger58

@fishtiger58 (29819)

• Momence, Illinois

11 Oct 17

I wouldn't know what to say. I would just try to move a bit more away if that was possible.

2 people like this

@TheHorse (238294)

• Walnut Creek, California

11 Oct 17

I'm bound by my job to listen carefully and provide helpful responses. Sometimes I want to take a shower when I get home from teaching.

2 people like this

@TheHorse (238294)

• Walnut Creek, California

11 Oct 17

@fishtiger58 The Humanity! Two hours later, I'm driving...what the heck is that? No doubt a couple of doggy breath particles became dislodged from my clothing and floated up to my nose.

2 people like this

fishtiger58

@fishtiger58 (29819)

• Momence, Illinois

11 Oct 17

@TheHorse Yea just the thought of that is supremely nasty.

2 people like this

Scott Ganschow

@teamfreak16 (43581)

• Denver, Colorado

11 Oct 17

I don't know. I just keep quiet and try to get away as quickly as possible.

2 people like this

@TheHorse (238294)

• Walnut Creek, California

25 Oct 17

I think that's my usual strategy as well. But when it's a student, I'm trapped!

2 people like this

@TheHorse (238294)

• Walnut Creek, California

25 Oct 17

@teamfreak16 I can tel you everything they've eaten for the last three days and exactly how anxious they are.

2 people like this

Scott Ganschow

@teamfreak16 (43581)

• Denver, Colorado

25 Oct 17

@TheHorse - Yuck.

2 people like this

RedBurnet

@redurnet (1796)

• United Kingdom

24 Oct 17

I guess you could offer them a mint. I had a similar problem with a colleague but I was too shy to even offer them a mint!

2 people like this