Body Odor in Meetings

[NOTTHOR]

What the hell is protocol? We had 10 people in a conference room for almost 14 hours a day the past two days while we were banging out a purchase agreement, I barely had time to peak at the Wasteland. Either me or one of the guys who works for my client, has egregious BO. I don't think it was me, I tripled up on deodorant in advance of the marathon session, and when I went to take a piss, I smelled my pits, which were both clear and sweat free. Then, I walked back into the room, and BO was kicking hard on our side of the table. Do you guys think maybe it was me who smelled?

Is it okay for me to broach the subject? It was pretty damn bad.

[socal]

Doesn't sound like it was you.

But for business protocol sense, you should actively seek the offender & have a sidebar.

If you smelled it, it's likely the other side smelled it... which isn't the best indicator of "professional".

(Hippie perhaps, but not professional)

[101]

BTR.....see, this is exactly the type of thing that happens when you walk around, picking clothes up off the floor and using the old "sniff test" to see if they are clean.

Make a date with your washer and dryer, get familiar with each other and these problems won't occur any more.

[Saggitariutt Jefferspin (ith)]

It was most likely not you...BO is something that can usually be sensed pretty easy by yourself (at least for me it is), so if you did the sniff test - you're most likely not the perp.

In my meetings I always have one guy with rancid breath...could kill a cactus by breathing on it. I make sure to get to meetings a little early to not sit by him. I don't know if I should bring Altoids or what, he'd likely turn them down if I offered so he could let whatever is festering in his mouth live.

Bad breath is much harder to self-detect than body odor. After sitting by this guy - I get paranoid and try to do the whole hand-cover-mouth-while-breathing exercise.

[MoHawk]

There is a guy that works overnights for us at the radio stations, sort of babysitting everything from 12A-6A to make sure nothing blows up, that is an absolute friggin' mutant. There are mornings when I get to the office (I get in at 9A) that I can still smell him in the studio.

Our morning guy at 6A dry heaved for the first hour of his show just last week the smell was so bad.

Back to BTR's question, I suspect it was someone other than yourself. And I would definitely identify the offending party and have a quick word with them about personal hygene or at the very least the need for extra deodorant when having marathon bargaining sessions.

Just out of curiosity, was it a collective bargaining session?

[detlef]

Your BMCLF must not be paying the A/C bill. Bob Bowlsby's expertise is needed.

[scotthawk]

I think in your profession, you should be able to say something about it. Now if you were all construction workers, I'd say that is part of the job.

We had that happen where I work earlier this year and they wanted me to say something as the offender is a cousin of mine. He doesn't work in the same department as me so I don't have to smell it so I said it wasn't my problem.

[101]

Post this at his or her desk.....maybe they'll get the hint.


1. Turn on the light, enter the bathroom, and close the door. Then you might want to take off your clothing and any jewelry that will rust. If you lock the door, be aware that if you fall or are injured while showering, it will take longer for assistance to reach you. Consider leaving it unlocked, if you live alone or with people whom you trust.
2. Position the mat or rug near the tub or shower stall, for you to stand on when you get out.
3. Remove your clothes. Place your clothes in an area where they will not get wet. (The toilet is not the best place, as it can harbor germs.)
4. Turn on the water to your preferred temperature. Check the position of the shower head, to be sure that water is spraying downward rather than out of the enclosure.
5. Check the temperature frequently and as soon as the temperature is correct, carefully step into the shower.
6. Pull the shower curtain closed, or shut the door, to prevent water from getting on the floor. If your shower has a curtain, check to ensure that the shower curtain is inside the tub. If it falls outside, water will drip to the floor and can damage the house.
7. Wet your entire body. Make sure your whole head is wet.
8. Massage a small amount of shampoo into your scalp. You need to gently rub each part of your scalp, making sure all the strands are sudsy. Shampooing your hair is more to clean the scalp, than to clean the hair. Do not let it sit too long.
9. Thoroughly rinse all of the shampoo out of your hair. (Repeating is usually not necessary, and can dry out or irritate the scalp, causing dandruff.)
10. Next, apply conditioner, and let it sit for two to three minutes.
11. Wet your washcloth well. Put a small amount of facial soap onto the washcloth and clean your face. Leave a corner of the cloth without soap, so that you can wipe the soap out of your eyes. Turn on the water to rinse your face, as well as the washcloth. When both are rinsed, turn off the water.
12. Pour your bath soap onto your washcloth, and scrub yourself all over. It is best at the hands and feet. Remember to wash behind the ears, back of the neck, and in between each toe. Make sure you are cleaning under each arm pit, your private area, and in between your butt crack. This may embarrass you, but remember: No one can see you clean yourself in the shower. These are important areas that can make you smell bad if you do not clean daily.
13. Rinse off the conditioner and soap, you may need to run your hands through your hair and make sure all the conditioner is rinsed out. If you do not wash out all the conditioner, this will make your hair greasy.
14. Give yourself a final rinse. You may wish to turn the water to a cooler temperature to close your pores and refresh yourself.
15. Rinse the tub or shower stall so that there is no sign of your visit other than drops of water. Be sure all hairs, soap, and shower debris is washed down the drain.
16. Turn off the water, make sure it is turned off tightly.
17. If you have long hair, squeeze it out in the shower. Do this gently to avoid hurting your head or damaging your hair. Do not twist the hair to wring it out, this causes split ends. The hair is more prone to stretching and damage when it is wet.
18. Do not rub the towel on your hair, this damages the hair. Only pat and squeeze the towel on your hair. Next, gently pat dry your face, neck, and arms, then your stomach and back. It is best to pat as this is most gentle to your skin. Do not vigorously rub as this damages the skin.
19. Exit the shower. Standing on the rug or mat, gently dry your pelvic region, legs, and feet. If you have done this carefully, the only water should be on the shower mat or rug, not on the rest of the floor.
20. Put your clean clothes on, starting with clean underwear and bra, followed by clean clothes and socks.
21. This is a good time to clean your ears with a cotton swab, as the waxy substance in your ears is softer from the heat and water and is more easily removed. This also helps to remove excess water from the ears. Take care to avoid inserting the swab too deeply, as this can cause damage.
22. Pull the shower curtain most of the way closed again to facilitate drying, while leaving it open slightly to allow air to circulate between the stall and the rest of the room. This will inhibit the growth of mildew on the shower curtain.
23. When you exit the bathroom, turn off the light, and leave the door wide open to allow the water vapor to escape.
Then in BOLD, large font type, give them this.

1. Unwind or pull off the deodorant cap.
2. Take off plastic casing, if it applies to your deodorant.
3. Proceed to apply deodorant to the underarm region. Principally over the sweat glands.
4. Apply with a gentle to and fro motion. For most people, one to four strokes should do it. Based on our history of smelling your pits, perhaps 10 strokes would be more appropriate.
5. Allow to dry for about one minute. Take care putting on clothes as the deodorant can sometimes leave a mark on clothing that shows on the outside.
6. Replace the cap and put the deodorant away.

[Earl]

I think I'm going to post those in my room at school.
Try 18 adolescents just starting puberty......after gym class.......uuugggghhhh!