Posted: 5/9/2007 8:05:08 AM EDT
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Girl here at my office asked me the best way to advise someone that they were wearing too much cologne (not me, she told me who) The person is kind of sensitive and might get his feelings hurt. Person is also someone who you can't just go up and tell him off or something. Needs to be very diplomatic, by get the point across. Thanks TXL |
The girl is not the one with the problem, she was tasked to handle this by the HR person. TXL |
Sounds like your HR person is a weenie. Still, is it REALLY that bad? Put it on the HR person. "Susan in HR wanted me to tell you that your cologne is overpowering. I think it's fine personally, but you know how it is." 
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Grab a fire extinguisher and approach him slowly. Fire up a lighter in his presence. If he asks what you are doing, just say that several of the people in the office were concerned that the excessive amount of cologne that he wears is a fire hazard. You were just checking to put their minds at ease. He should get the hint. Either that or give everyone in the office a can of odor neutralizer. As they pass by him in the morning, they can give him a quick spray. Again, he should get the hint. |
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The best way is to be direct and polite. Hello, I have something akward to talk to you about. I'm very sensitive to perfumes - for some reason even the slightest amount gives me severe migraines. I hate saying anything to you but would you mind going a little easier on your particular fragrance? I haven't gotten a migraine yet but I feel one coming on. I'm very sorry. I know its akward."  why some people feel the need to marinate in fragrances?
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Dude, you smell like ass... |
Patty said it a lot better than I could. Subnet-I wouldn't get offensive if someone said I had body odor or something like that. |
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I'm assuming it's because he is another race? That is the only reason I can see the tiptoeing. If that is the case, or even if it isn't, approaching him as a buddy giving a warning that management said something would be appropriate. Basically something like, "Hey, I heard management complaining about someone wearing stronger cologne. I could give two fucks but you may wanna scale it back for a while." After that, have someone give him a compliment a week or so later when he complies and takes it easier. Emphasizing the lighter scent. Or just tell him to stop bathing in cologne...he's not a cabby... 
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HMMM, you know him and I don't so I'll take your word for how fragile he is. How about telling you overheard some people talking about it, and thought he would like to know? |
that's essentially what I did. mentions some migranes and such. He took it well Thanks all TXL |
Depends on that person's self-confidence level. Some people take such advice as constructive criticism. Others tell would-be advisors to F--- OFF! ;-) |
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I cant stand smelling someone else's perfume. I found its easier to state my case and let the offending person do what they want about it. Me: Hey Mary : why 3 ft away ? Me : Why 3ft because Dear ABBY says if someone can smell you 3 ft away you are wasting your perfume by putting too much on. Just something I read along time ago. The offenders tone it down 90% of the time, the other 10% need a  . |
Tex, I've actually had to break the news to aguy that he was wearing too much cologne...and to top it off, he was wearing CHEAP cologne and alot of it. He used to come into the office 1/2 hour before me and sit at my desk and make calls.  He wasn't my boss, but he was someone I had to work VERY closely with and I AM particularly sensitive to smells. That sensitivity was on MAX when I was pregnant with my eldest boy. Pregnancy is a wonderful bunker to hide behind! "Howard, I'm sorry, but if you're gonna sit at my desk making calls 30 minutes before I come in, either <producing alcohol prep wipe> wipe down my phone or stop diving into your bottle of English Leather." So...next time get the pregnant lady to do it. NOBODY with any sense messes with a pregnant woman! |
Bullshit! If it has been brought up to HR, then HR should handle it! How about this: 
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Tell HR to do their own fuckin' dirty work. Problem solved. 
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