How do I tell people they smell?

xoxo2200

I'm not trying to be ugly but today I almost walked out of my Zumba class as soon as I went in. The entire room smelled like $%#%
and I'm sure everyone else smelled it, but chose to pretend or ignore it? I do pick up on scents easily. I guess my sense of smell is stronger than most? Anyway, this young lady next to me smelled so bad, it almost made me vomit. I was so pissed off because I only stayed there for like 20 minutes and it (the odor) disturbed me to the point to where I couldn't focus on my work out. I went to the elliptical machine instead to reach my goal.

Now how do I tell this person without offending her? I swear I stated in the class for as long as I could. This other lady came out after me and said she couldn't take it anymore. I knew I wasn't the only one that could smell it. She mentioned maybe because this young lady is Indian and they all smell bad, to which I reply one of my coworkers is Indian and works out with me and she doesn't smell bad. I'm sorry if my questions offend anyone but it is a bit frustrating that it prevented me from completing my workout

We all sweat, but that was beyond sweat.

whierd

Are you pregnant?

whierd

I'm not trying to be ugly but today I almost walked out of my Zumba class as soon as I went in. The entire room smelled like $%#%
and I'm sure everyone else smelled it, but chose to pretend or ignore it? I do pick up on scents easily. I guess my sense of smell is stronger than most? Anyway, this young lady next to me smelled so bad, it almost made me vomit. I was so pissed off because I only stayed there for like 20 minutes and it (the odor) disturbed me to the point to where I couldn't focus on my work out. I went to the elliptical machine instead to reach my goal.

Now how do I tell this person without offending her? I swear I stated in the class for as long as I could. This other lady came out after me and said she couldn't take it anymore. I knew I wasn't the only one that could smell it. She mentioned maybe because this young lady is Indian and they all smell bad, to which I reply one of my coworkers is Indian and works out with me and she doesn't smell bad. I'm sorry if my questions offend anyone but it is a bit frustrating that it prevented me from completing my workout

We all sweat, but that was beyond sweat.

Lol...racism.

Justjamie0418

iulia_maddie

She mentioned maybe because this young lady is Indian and they all smell bad, to which I reply one of my coworkers is Indian and works out with me and she doesn't smell bad.

Tell her that it might be her ignorance that stinks.

mrshoneydew

She mentioned maybe because this young lady is Indian and they all smell bad, to which I reply one of my coworkers is Indian and works out with me and she doesn't smell bad.

I feel like this part doesn't need to be here.

whierd

I've worked with several Indian people. While they sometimes smell of strong spices, they rarely have body odor.

And I happen to like curry, so no problem.

jannessy

yea you shouldnt have mention that part she there to work out not to worry about others

xoxo2200

Are you pregnant?

I don't think so.

xoxo2200

I've worked with several Indian people. While they sometimes smell of strong spices, they rarely have body odor.

And I happen to like curry, so no problem.

Not all Indian people smell. I do like and eat curry as well. I've worked out with them before, si that's not the case

xoxo2200

She mentioned maybe because this young lady is Indian and they all smell bad, to which I reply one of my coworkers is Indian and works out with me and she doesn't smell bad.

I feel like this part doesn't need to be here.

I'm sorry you feel that way.

ninerbuff

I'm more than sure the odor you despised didn't take up the whole room. Just move to the opposite end.

A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

mrshoneydew

She mentioned maybe because this young lady is Indian and they all smell bad, to which I reply one of my coworkers is Indian and works out with me and she doesn't smell bad.

I feel like this part doesn't need to be here.

I'm sorry you feel that way.

Just looking out for people's feelings....my bad.

Dunkirk

Perhaps change your zumba schedule

fluffykitsune

When you feel so strongly about something, it tends to get exaggerated in your mind. You probably couldn't smell it on the other side of the room, but all you were thinking and focusing on was the smell so it lingered in your mind.

Honestly. Stop worrying so much about others. It sounds like you were looking for an excuse to not be there, even if you were doing it unintentionally. I'm sure theres a lot of smelly people in your classes.

emcdonie

Something I try to live by is I attempt to think of others, before myself. I would rather my nose be offended, than dare hurt or injure another person.

I would never approach a stranger on such a matter. You have no idea the cause of the body odor, and there could be so many. It isn't uncommon that the cause could potentially be out of her control as well. You can't know either.

If I knew the person very well, and could safely speak to her without hurting her....only then might I consider saying something gently. Also only IF, big IF, I knew her well enough to know it was an issue within her control or not. (ie lack hygiene)

99% of the time, I would just put aside my own minor discomfort and deal with any smell. Bad smells can be hard to deal with I know. In my opinion, it never worth injuring another person over though.

Justjamie0418

mrshoneydew

One thousand years dungeon!!

xoxo2200

Something I try to live by is I attempt to think of others, before myself. I would rather my nose be offended, than dare hurt or injure another person.

I would never approach a stranger on such a matter. You have no idea the cause of the body odor, and there could be so many. It isn't uncommon that the cause could potentially be out of her control as well. You can't know either.

If I knew the person very well, and could safely speak to her without hurting her....only then might I consider saying something gently. Also only IF, big IF, I knew her well enough to know it was an issue within her control or not. (ie lack hygiene)

99% of the time, I would just put aside my own minor discomfort and deal with any smell. Bad smells can be hard to deal with I know. In my opinion, it never worth injuring another person over though.

I agree, that's why I tried to keep it to myself and left the room to get my cardio done and continue. I just didn't want to hurt anybody's feelings.

AbsoluteNG

Next time, hand them a stick of old spice.

Delicate

You're in for a treat if you ever go into a studio after High intensity interval training, body attack, or thai boxing

the entire room stinks of people training!

Chadomaniac

Op: Hey
Person that stinks: Oh hey , how are you?
Op: You really stink take a fkn bath you animal

easy

MyJourney1960

She mentioned maybe because this young lady is Indian and they all smell bad, to which I reply one of my coworkers is Indian and works out with me and she doesn't smell bad. I'm sorry if my questions offend anyone but it is a bit frustrating that it prevented me from completing my workout

We all sweat, but that was beyond sweat.

the racial comment aside (repeating stupidity like "*THEY* all smell"? really?), you treat this like a grown up - go to the instructor or director and say "there are some people in the room who have really strong body odor. This is beyond "natural sweat". Could you please send out reminders to people to shower/change clothing/use deoderant before classes?"

It may not work. in that case - just move to a nother side of the room .

PlayerHatinDogooder

Talk to a member of staff and have them tell her she needs to watch her hygiene before partaking in the next class.

kelly101386

One thousand years dungeon!!

Unacceptable!

Dr_Waffles

Try this before your next class. Put some vick vapo rub on your upper lip. You wont smell a thing for days. Enjoy and you're welcome.

nikilis

She mentioned maybe because this young lady is Indian and they all smell bad, to which I reply one of my coworkers is Indian and works out with me and she doesn't smell bad.

I feel like this part doesn't need to be here.

I'm sorry you feel that way.

its racist. most people would feel that way, except.. well other racists.

neandermagnon

She mentioned maybe because this young lady is Indian and they all smell bad, to which I reply one of my coworkers is Indian and works out with me and she doesn't smell bad. I'm sorry if my questions offend anyone but it is a bit frustrating that it prevented me from completing my workout

We all sweat, but that was beyond sweat.

the racial comment aside (repeating stupidity like "*THEY* all smell"? really?), you treat this like a grown up - go to the instructor or director and say "there are some people in the room who have really strong body odor. This is beyond "natural sweat". Could you please send out reminders to people to shower/change clothing/use deoderant before classes?"

It may not work. in that case - just move to a nother side of the room .

^^^ this

and the fact that it could be due to a medical issue.

Contrarian

Not all Indian people smell. I do like and eat curry as well. I've worked out with them before, si that's not the case

Right. So just SOME of them smell, purely because they are from India.

QueenGyn

Just keep smelling it, don't worry it will vanish before you finish your workout.
But seriously, ignore it and just focus on whatever you should be doing.
Mind over matter? :flowerforyou:

_Zardoz_

I've worked with several Indian people. While they sometimes smell of strong spices, they rarely have body odor.

And I happen to like curry, so no problem.

Not all Indian people smell. I do like and eat curry as well. I've worked out with them before, si that's not the case

So you counteract one racist comment by adding your own racist viewpoint in the mix.