Classmate who smells...awkward moment

physics girl phd

I feel like this is a quote of the day.

(Although I personally find AXE really stinky), you need to show him this:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7ODAx_CpdY

lisab

I guess you could sugar-coat it a bit (basically a white lie) and say, "I have allergies, and for some reason I have a reaction when I'm near you."

Not sure if the first part of the statement is true, but it is true that you "have a reaction" when he's near.

JaredJames

"Uh, yeah, you see I have this allergy and it always flares up around you..."
"Really? What are you allergic to?"
"Bad smells"
Possible downside: he believes it's the little amount of aftershave he uses and decideds to just completely give up...

Proton Soup

i disagree. it seems that some people can be plenty smart and plenty stubborn, too. especially if they're a bit on the socially disabled side. we've had them coming on the forum complaining about others complaining that they don't bathe.

and speaking of funk, i chose a seat poorly today. i kept getting a whiff of loaded diaper. only have a wild guess of which one it was.

KingNothing

You could be honest with him, or avoid the discussion. Frankly the whole "hinting game" that girls play is really stupid.

xxChrisxx

This is a typical response from women, lie to protect feelings. It's completely the wrong one for a man to deal with. It just sets someone up for a bigger blow later. Being honest and to the point is by far the best option when dealing with a man.

He may genuinely not know he smells, which will be embarassing but he'll make a conscious effort.
He may know and it's because he has a medical condition (such as http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trimethylaminuria) - which will also be embarrasing but at least there is an explination.

Or he may just be smelly and not care, so there is no harm in telling him.

Femme_physics

I told him today. Yes, I also told him that I like him but that I smelled a bad smell at tuesday's class that I thought was coming from him and that's why I moved. It was kinda awkward and embarrassing, he was unsure what to say, got a bit defensive and told me he's always putting on the deodorant. I wasn't really sure what to say back. "I'm not sure what it was, I just had to move." I said. Though, I'm sure it was him and he's in denial. He did say eventually "I appreciate your honesty."

Suffice to say, it was a really short and awkward conversation and I didn't sit next to him that day or spoke to him that day. Damn it. But, it had to happened I guess...


(Funny thing though, someone moved away from ME at the break! I immediately went up to him and went "what the hell? do I smell bad?" and then I sniffed my armpits lol. He was like "god forbid of course not! There's just too much chattering in that area"....)

JaredJames

Yeah, because a woman comes up to you screaching "what the hell? do I smell bad?" and you're going to tell her the truth...

xxChrisxx

I would. I'd probably do it just to be awkward, and becuse it would be interesting to see the reaction.

lisab

You'd lie to make someone feel uncomfortable and awkward, just to see their reaction?

JaredJames

Assuming it's a lie.

My post was meant to say "even if she was, with that reaction to you moving would you tell her the truth?".

lisab

OK, I understand. But to say something (truth or not truth) when your motivation is to see someone squirm...well, that's not a kind thing. I'm not saying you'd do that btw .

xxChrisxx

Depends completely on the scenario.

Run up to me, and use the phrase "what the hell? do I smell bad?" out of the blue. My immediate response would be yes.

Ask in a non crazy way and I would be honest.

Femme_physics

LOL! It's just my personality.

But I actually do make sure to put deodorant, perfume and not wear something I wore without washing it. Plus, I'm a girl, so I naturally smell good anyway.

I like Serena

I think it's a good thing that you approached him about it.
Apparently he didn't know yet and he really should know.
Also, I believe it's important to not just tell him and walk away, but to give him a chance to digest it, and by taking the time to listen to him and talk about it, you also show you care, and that you don't reject him as a person.

Sounds like you did right!

[edit]Just keep the chattering down will you? [/edit]

Borek

We won't know without smelling a guy next month.

Femme_physics

Thanks Serena! :) I really appreciate your feedback.