Office odors

Dear Old Schooler: There’s a guy at work that constantly smells of poop. He doesn’t just smell bad, he smells acutely of feces. Everybody notices, but nobody tells him. Is it worse for me to confront the guy, or to go on avoiding him and his stinkiness?
—Offended, 20, Greenwich Village

Alice Peralta, 72, Upper West Side
I’ve already encountered—many times—things like that. It can be in the bus. It can be in the subway. I always thought that once you reach a certain age, shouldn’t you take very good care of yourself? How hard is that? You don’t need a million dollars for that.

Either he must have a nose that is not sensitive, or he wasn’t brought up that way. I would tell him it’s offensive. Tell him nicely, “Can I have a word with you? Your personal hygiene is not up to par…. A cake of soap does not cost a fortune.” Why not buy him some soap? That would be a good deed for the day. I think everybody should get involved. It’s for the good of the company. The boss has [to make it] a priority for the company.

And then, when the man looks clean and walks in looking like Prince Charming, congratulate him. “Gosh, I didn’t know you looked that good before!” You could praise him! You can make him proud that now he knows how to take care of himself.
—Interviewed by Fareed Mostoufi

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