Stink Politics
One of those more Seinfeldian issues: How do you tell someone if they stink?
This came up last night. After a reasonably hard day's work of Saturday server upgrading in one of those polyester-cotton shirts that you really shouldn't sweat in, I ended up playing board games around the dining room table at my parents' place with a handful of good friends. On average they have all known me for 7 years or more.
Anyway because I'm so manly and hardworking, I was, quite admittedly, a bit on the nose. Unfortunately, I didn't notice it for a bit. It took me about half an hour to work out why the individual sitting next to me at the table didn't wish to remain in her chair, instead preferring the floor. Other "you smell" behaviours followed. It got to the point where she may as well have been doing that thing that primary school kids do when someone farts, covering their nose with their t-shirt.
Eventually, I just asked straight out if it was an issue. It's actually something that's really hard to gauge when it's your own smell. I changed my shirt and the problem seemed to be effectively minimised. What got me was, why wouldn't you just point it out? Surely if you've known someone for most of your adolescent life, the degree of familiarity is high enough for you to tactfully raise that kind of thing without it being that big of a deal? If you know someone well, you know that they don't regularly stink and you know that they'd probably prefer not to be causing a 'problem', I personally don't think you have to suffer in silence. I put this principle into practise with my housemates quite regularly.
Boys smell. Deal with it.
This came up last night. After a reasonably hard day's work of Saturday server upgrading in one of those polyester-cotton shirts that you really shouldn't sweat in, I ended up playing board games around the dining room table at my parents' place with a handful of good friends. On average they have all known me for 7 years or more.
Anyway because I'm so manly and hardworking, I was, quite admittedly, a bit on the nose. Unfortunately, I didn't notice it for a bit. It took me about half an hour to work out why the individual sitting next to me at the table didn't wish to remain in her chair, instead preferring the floor. Other "you smell" behaviours followed. It got to the point where she may as well have been doing that thing that primary school kids do when someone farts, covering their nose with their t-shirt.
Eventually, I just asked straight out if it was an issue. It's actually something that's really hard to gauge when it's your own smell. I changed my shirt and the problem seemed to be effectively minimised. What got me was, why wouldn't you just point it out? Surely if you've known someone for most of your adolescent life, the degree of familiarity is high enough for you to tactfully raise that kind of thing without it being that big of a deal? If you know someone well, you know that they don't regularly stink and you know that they'd probably prefer not to be causing a 'problem', I personally don't think you have to suffer in silence. I put this principle into practise with my housemates quite regularly.
Boys smell. Deal with it.
5 Comments:
Paul, that was one of the more amusing blog entries I've read in a while. Refreshingly honest.
Paul!!!! You are unbelievable. One: I can't believe you actually wrote about that on your blog, and Two: that is a very egotistical thing to write about because you obviously were so consumed by your own reservations about whether or not you had worked up a sweat during the day that you interpreted the situation only from your own perspective because THREE: I did not have any idea that you may have been 'on the nose'- I was lying on the floor bc I was overtired and laughing too much to stay seated on my chair- i was having a very hyper night. And I personally have no idea why i was being silly with the box- it probably fitted over my face nicely. Anyway I deal with enough foul smelling things in my work to be able to handle a slight persperation odour even if i had been able to smell it. So stop being paranoid- please. Man, you're frustrating.
Haha. Never let the truth get in the way of trying to sound like Jerry Seinfeld.
Sorry Trav... I may have altered the facts just slightly to make story better.
Or maybe you're just a paranoid person! :-P
hahahahaha don't worry- I would have told you.
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