Comments on: How to Address Bad Body Odor

By: anz

anz — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 21:03:34 +0000

This story/scenario is the crux of any interaction between two or more people. I especially appreciate the clarity of this statement: “We are responsible to care about how others feel, but we are not responsible for how they feel.” This is such a crucial point, it ought to be printed on T-shirts and billboards across this great country. I greatly appreciate your contributions to the world.

By: Scott Lien

Scott Lien — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 16:47:41 +0000

WOW!!

That was an INCREDIBLE response to a very awkward topic. Joseph is right, his approach on this matter can be applied to so many other things that go on with other people in our life. I liked it so much I printed it and put it on the wall where I work. Its his point of view I like so much. Its RESPECTABLE advice. His advice, I’m going to take it and I’m going to use it – I hope he doesn’t mind. I know its the right thing to do.

By: Wendy Schmidt

Wendy Schmidt — Wed, 31 May 2017 17:38:33 +0000

I truly enjoyed reading this article and will share with family/friends and will apply to many situations in my life which need this type of break down for the discussion. I will Google other articles from you to hopefully get more wisdom.

By: Joe B

Joe B — Wed, 31 May 2017 17:28:14 +0000

I guess you can use these skills to address other body smell issues like bad breath or smelly feet.

By: Clifford Spoonemore

Clifford Spoonemore — Wed, 31 May 2017 17:11:32 +0000

This same thing happened to me as an Resident Assist. This is way before CC and the only way I knew how to handle this was to call in the School Nurse. In my case the person did not show up with bad odor, but it came on over the semester. There was other things going on in this persons life. Also the Nurse was an outsider and had no vested involvement.

After learning more here with CC I can see that I should have made a different effort to seek first to understand (Covey) and then move towards a safer place to make sure the two of us had the conversation. As an RA I accepted the fact that I needed to have a good relationship with every person on my floor. I passed that responsibility for my actions off on the Nurse. I did not own my feelings. I did not understand that he will also have to own his feels.

CC should be a part of a curriculum in High School or College. Not a full semester, but part of a required humanities course (interpersonal Communications maybe). Not to be certified, but to share the concept and inform the individual that a more complete CC is available once they have graduated.

By: Sheree

Sheree — Wed, 31 May 2017 14:18:54 +0000

Good advice. It is always possible that the roommate may not be aware of his body odour and the polite feedback could make him aware of the pain point.

By: Constance Robinson

Constance Robinson — Wed, 31 May 2017 14:18:46 +0000

The CC model is so practical, humane and grounded. And this particular example is an excellent teaching tool for deciding when we truly want to have a CC. I encourage all my colleagues to sign up for the newsletter, and endeavour to apply the model in my CCs in all facets of my life.

By: Ann

Ann — Wed, 31 May 2017 14:02:41 +0000

This: Your actions are yours. His feelings are his. Brilliant! Thank you.

By: Ade Adenekan

Ade Adenekan — Wed, 31 May 2017 13:17:33 +0000

Hey! If someone is your roommate I assume you do get along to some extent or you won’t be roommates in the first place. If he truly does have a body odor, you will be helping him by letting him know. If properly handled, your roommate will always appreciate rather than recent you for talking to him about it.

By: Vel Worley

Vel Worley — Wed, 31 May 2017 13:03:56 +0000

I appreciate this information, especially “We are responsible to care about how others feel, but we are not responsible for how they feel.”
I did want to comment that some cultures eat differently then we do. For example, some cultures eat a lot of garlic in the diet, or fish, and those odors may come out. It was just a thought. It might not be because someone doesn’t bathe or use deodorant. 🙂