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Smelly Family
I do not know what to do anymore, dropping hints, etc... how do you tell a couple of your family members that tney have very bad BO and that they need to shower daily, every time they visit our furniture needs to be disenfected and deoderized, then to top it all off they always seem to stay a day or 2 longer then they say.
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Maybe give some free advice about: Families?
I've been in this situation a couple of times and I've tried a few different ways without coming out and completely saying it.
1. Make it clear that you smell something. You don't have to say it's a person, but let it be known that you have found an odor and it's bothersome. Open windows if you need to "air the place out" for awhile. If you feel it would be helpful, ask them if they think YOU smell odd (this will tell them you smell body odor).
You can also follow this up by pointing out you still smell the odor in the car when they are present. Roll down the windows if at all possible.
2. As suggested below, remark about a product that you feel does smell good. By remark I mean, make an entire conversation out of it. Ask what the visitors use and you may add, "I've used that before and I wasn't too pleased by the scent. Why don't I send you home with some [product] for you to try out for a few days?" You'll have to really hype it up if you will be suggesting giving them some of the soap/deodorant/whatever.
3. Announce that you will be taking a shower. Ask if anyone will be needing the restroom for awhile. You can even let them know you'll take a quick shower so you can save them some hot water to use if you have noticed they haven't showered yet. When they do go shower, let them know where the new soap is in case they want their own bar. Make it sound as if you are simply being courteous.
4. Make plans for the next day and say, "Well, I guess we can get up at [time] and get our showers in early before we leave." If that isn't good, remark that, at the end of the day, you reek from sweating and such and desperately need a shower.
5. Do laundry and offer to wash up theirs while you're at it. The theory is, if you offer up enough times, they'll get the hint.
6. Simply be honest. Get them in a room alone and seriously (but kindly) let them know that this past visit you've noticed they have brought an odor with them. You can ease the blow by saying that you understand it may be embarrassing but you were afraid that their co-workers/friends/other family members noticed and would talk about them behind their backs and you don't want them doing that because they (the visitors) are good people. You ARE doing them a favor by telling them straight out.
Do not describe the smell unless they specifically ask. Save them some embarrassment and do not attempt to or it may look very bad on your part (it can come off as you looking down on them and you do NOT want to do that).
This should start some sort of conversation in which you can tell them what you think might help. Give suggestions like, "Maybe you could up your daily showers or something," or throw in the product idea. You can also give them some slack by blaming it on their soaps, "I bet it's just your laundry detergent. I've used some brands before that really left the clothes smelling funky."
It also always helps to relate. If you have ever had an odor problem that you've known of, let THEM know. Tell them it was embarrassing and you had to change some habits. Always offer them help.
Anyway, I'm voting for you to be honest with them about the odor situation. The worst that can happen is they get upset and never come back--but at least you did let them know! I hope you get it all sorted out!
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There is two ways you could do it.
one: Tell them they really have bad odor and they really need to bathe.
OR
two: Tell them that they should try a product.
Or maybe be like all of us should take a shower and than go out somewhere.
Or when they come in say man we all stink,
we needa bath.
:] hehe.
hope i helped
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Try tricking them into it.
"Hey, you should try this [insert soap brand or body spray product here], its so good! I LOVE IT. You'll like it too"
or just come out and say it. They are family so you should be honest with them.
Good luck.
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