skoobidude

I started working at a new company 3 weeks ago. The day after my 1st day another guy also started. We are both sharing the same office.
As nice as my new colleague is, his breath abosolutely stinks! I get used to it after a bit but every time I leave the room, then return, the smell hits me! Other members of the company are starting to comment about it.
The Director spoke to me in the kitchen today and said in a light-hearted way "You need to have a word with your new friend about his breath! Does he not brush his teeth in the morning? I offered you both mints earlier as a favour to YOU"
Its hasn't been half as bad this week as he is suffering with a cold and is drinking lemsips quite regularly - which seems to kill some of the odour.

I'm am not moaning about it so please don't read this thread and think I am nit-picking. I only want subtle suggestions as to how the problem should be approached without causing offence. Also to share with other users their similar experiences,

ta

Nick

CraigH

Ask him if he's using new Colgate Dog5hit. Subtle enough?

chaos.

Tell him he's got death breath and ask if he's bin eatin' **** butties ..

Problem solved, probably never see him again.

skoobidude

I'll try some of that myself, Craig. We'll clear the whole building between us!

Blimey, 1st response from a guy who lives on the same estate as me.

Spoon

Just tell the smelly twát.

mj

A very good mate of mine has the breath of a thousand camels, trouble is he is such a nice guy it would be painful to tell him, for risk of hurting his feelings. It doesent help that he is one of those jovial blokes that comes really close when he is having a joke or spinning a yarn. I have seen the coulour drain from peoples faces before now .

He has a full set of false teeth, I found this out a few years ago when I lost my front tooth, I had to wear a pallet while the bridge was being made. We were talking one day and he just popped them out - feckin hideous . I asked him if he popped them in a glass of water overnight - no was his reply, he just brushed them while they were in his mouth EEEEEUUUUURRRGGGGGGGGHHHHH - there must have been food behind his falsies from the dawn of time <barf>

I'm used to it, I just move away discreteley.

Sith

Just ask if he has a tooth or gum infection. He may not be aware his breath is bad. A subtle way like this will allow you to broach the subject without risk of getting flattened.

I had bad breath and didn't know it. People were **** scared of telling me. I could be errrr, volatile. I realised when several people offered me mints. Now I keep mints with me.

Bubba po

Are you his supervisor? If not then you should tell his supervisor, and if he has a professional attitude to his work, he will broach the subject with your colleague.

skoobidude

No I'm not his supervisor. But I have the "pleasure" of sharing an office with him. Our office is now known as The Pig Stye or Compost Corner.
The boss has already hinted by offering him mints.

Nick

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

Its funny, it must be part of the job description for certain roles at our place.

No excuse for it normally, though certain health problems and medications can cause it, I spent a charming afternoon with a lady at work who was on some kind of medication that made her breath smell like farts, she told me and apologised about in advance but still sat way too close 'rifting' at me every ten minutes, hemmed into a corner I was.

Gus M

How big was this "pallet" you had to wear while your bridge was being made.

SC008Y_MAD

iTrader: (5)

Be honest with him.

mj

ok I'll be honest , it was about the same shape as the roof of my mouth

16vmarc

I too work with someone with a bad breath, he also smokes. Youd think that after cleaning his teeth the smell would go lol

milo

dont tell him yourself - its not your job. ask his supervisor to, or ask human resources to - thats one of the reasons they're there for. they'll have had to do this before no doubt and will know how to handle it. they probably have the relevant training in these delicate matters.

not saying u should always pass the buck on everthing, but theres no sense in u having to feel awkward speaking to him about it when u dont need to.

Jap2Scrap

Eat a shedload of garlic tonight then go in tomorrow and stand close to him whilst breathing hard. If he says anything you know he'll understand if you reciprocate.

Seems fair.

mj

how many work in the office?

why not leave an anonymous note in his desk drawer, politeley saying that his breath is somewhat savage on the nostrils, maybe he needs to see a dentist.

It possible he has a problem with his wisdom teeth, my GF has at the moment and she ****in honks ( they are coming out next week ). Tis not all bad though, it's an ideal excuse not to have to kiss her .

Chris L

Thank the Japanese They have the answer to your problem. Just leave one of these on your colleagues desk

Peanuts

iTrader: (15)

offer him a sandwich,if he declines then bingo!

he's on Atkins

Abdabz

Yip - its one for the boss to deal with - the "Someone's mentioned" routine... easy peasy unless ya the boss