I think we all value honesty. Most of us try to be honest and give honest opinions. Of course, there are those out there who just habitually lie and we all eventually don't trust them anymore. And what about those people that just say what we want to hear? They are liars too. Yet we all do I it sometimes. I know I do. Things like confirming to my white haired grandmother that she didn't draw in her eyebrows too dark. I just don't want to burst her bubble because I know she put effort into how she looked. If it gives her some sort of confidence, then who am I to bring her down? So I'm fine with lying to my grandmother.
My problem is trying to find some way to be honest with our new driver. I'm telling you, I nearly passed out in the car yesterday. This is not a joke. I held my breath for so long that I was very nearly unconscious. In the end, I just had to take short, shallow breaths. Like the type a fish takes when its out of water.
And why did I need to do all this? Because the driver was driving with one arm resting against the side of the door. Y'know, putting his elbows up to just where the windows starts. That means the side air conditioning vents shoot right through the armholes of his shirts and straight to his armpits. That jet of air just propelled the smell straight to the backseat where I was with Aaron.
I know some people have problems with body odour and that its often because of bacteria instead of uncleanliness. Well, perhaps lack of hygiene in the very first place caused the bacteria to be there but how can I tell him? Richard says we should just buy him some deodorant or some perfume. But wouldn't that just embarrass the guy and make him self conscious around us? I know he still feels new and is trying to make a good impression so this would be terrible for him.
This is an instance where honesty would really be the best policy for everyone but how do you do this without making him feel bad?
8 comments:
Oddly enough, I had the same problem many years ago. We had a lady on our staff who had absolutely staggering body odor...so bad that people would look for excuses to avoid her or leave her office, and she just seemed to be oblivious to the problem. It fell to me as the deputy director (read, "the boss's hatchet man") to speak to her about it. I decided the best way was just to be up front about it: I went to her office (which was an ordeal in itself) and told her as gently as I could that although she may not realize it, she had a problem that affected everyone else. Surprisingly enough, she took it well and began to make an effort to control the odor...she never quite got rid of it all, but it was much less ghastly after that. I suppose you could also ask the person who was responsible for hiring the driver to speak to him about it. Either way, it's an uncomfortable situation, and I can sympathize with your plight.
Have you husband do it - that's what I'd do -tee hee! No, really. This is an awkward situation - maybe your husband could approach him - man to man - it would be less awkward than coming from you. Take care - Kellan
Certainly a bad situation, but an entertaining post, Amanda. Why not have Aaron say something? Kids can get away with a "Mom, what stinks?" or a "Somebody needs a bath!"
One has to be honest with themselves.
Ugh, I've been there. It's no fun, and there is no answer. I traded stocks on a crowded hot floor. One summer I had a clerk with the worst BO. I just suffered through and never said anything...it was miserble:(
You could perhaps just open the window and say that you need some fresh air. After all, you wouldn't be lying. :)
LOL! Seems live we've all been in these situations before. Yes, I think I'll let my husband do it, somehow. Hopefully he will be as good at is as Bilbo was.
When Aaron is older, I'll certainly use him for these types of sticky situations ;)
OH Amanda, you poor thing! This truly is a no-win. I'd have your hubby say something or else purchase a lot of air freshners along! :)
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