Advising a friend: Hygienic habits
@heaytheblogger (2876)
Philippines
December 13, 2012 11:45am CST
Having a friend is like extending yourself to someone, aside from your family, and your special someone (if you have). Friends are those people whom you can rely and give advices to. But what if you are in the situation wherein you want to tell your friend to change most especially in his/her hygienically habits.
A good situation is that you noticed and everybody notices that your friend is not smelling good and worse has bad body odor. Would you tell it to him/her and give her/him advice in such problem your friend has? Or rather you go silent about it?
If I were on that situation, though I did experienced telling one of my friend who has the same issue, I tell my friend privately putting on some small talks about proper hygiene in a nice and conforming way and then I pull the trigger and suggest to him about some good body products he should try on. That way, it did not hurt his feelings and did not ruin our friendship but hence, keep a close tie to our genuine friendship.
Your thoughts… 
1 person likes this
6 responses
@ofzhernandez (278)
• Philippines
15 Dec 12
I would rather tell him/her the truth, but privately of course so that he/ she will not be offended. Because there are people that did not want to be confronted about what they smell. They will never easily accepted the fact that they has bad odor. SO I think have them talk privately and never give then the yakkie expression. Make them feel that having odor has still remedy or preventive solution. And encourage them to use effective solutions so that they mutually use the product and may not feel embarrass.
@heaytheblogger (2876)
• Philippines
17 Dec 12
I think that's the most effective and conforming way of telling such poor habits... because it keeps a secret to the others and it doesn't humiliate the person you are telling...
Thanks for your reply.
@heaytheblogger (2876)
• Philippines
15 Dec 12
Very true, it's a nice way to not humiliate him/her also.
Thanks for your reply.
@aabuda (1722)
• Philippines
13 Dec 12
I think he will not be offended if I will do the same of telling him that he doesn't smell good and that he should use deodorant in order to avoid having such smell.
@heaytheblogger (2876)
• Philippines
14 Dec 12
Like what i had mentioned in the discussion, i already told him in a private and kind way by suggesting him to use products that will help his hygienic problem. So, by telling in such approach my friend would not get offended.
@jenny1015 (13366)
• Philippines
13 Dec 12
I'd probably be dpinv just the same as you did. I wouldn't want any of my friends to be a laughing stock among others. Besides, I don't think it will hurt her if she makes herself achieve a better self.
@41CombedaleRoad (5954)
• Greece
14 Dec 12
You were a good friend and a brave man! I am so glad that it paid off. A true friend would take the risk and tell in an acceptable way if there was a hygiene problem that needed to be addressed. It takes a good approach though and even so this is a two way conversation and a friend may react badly, at least initially.
I have worked in an office situation where there was a problem and the supervisor told the girl concerned but blamed it on the rest of the girls in the office. It was terrible because the girl was hurt and we were embarrassed and felt that the supervisor had betrayed what was a confidential comment. It spoiled a good atmosphere for a long time.
@Otanetix (508)
• United States
14 Dec 12
I think telling your friend is good, but take it slow. So far, your idea of telling about why it's good to have good hygiene and then "pulling the trigger" is excellent. If I had a friend who had that issue, I would also try to start off my suggestions with "no offense". For example, "No offense but I think you need to work on your hygiene". It still sounds mean but I think adding "no offense" tries to show your are at least trying to be nice. In general, it's not easy say something like that to a friend.
@heaytheblogger (2876)
• Philippines
14 Dec 12
Agree, telling them in an approach which is not offensive or insulting. taking it slow but also leaping from his bad habits...
Thanks for your response.
