confrontation, what do you think?

I would feign an allergy and ask her, like you said, to not stand so close because her fragrance has triggered it twice or three times orn whatever. Just so she knows you're not just saying "Hey - you stink." I'd be really apologetic about it, even though I don't think you've done anything wrong. It just makes you look like you're not being a b*tch about it. From there, I'd take it to management and try to get a no fragrance policy put into place, as previously suggested.

I would feign an allergy and ask her, like you said, to not stand so close because her fragrance has triggered it twice or three times orn whatever. Just so she knows you're not just saying "Hey - you stink." I'd be really apologetic about it, even though I don't think you've done anything wrong. It just makes you look like you're not being a b*tch about it. From there, I'd take it to management and try to get a no fragrance policy put into place, as previously suggested.

Agreed.

People suffering from allergies to synthetic fragrances is becoming a bigger and bigger deal - it's also largely the reason why so many companies enforce a fragrance-free workplace now. Just casually mentioning that you notice she likes to join you for your workouts, and while you appreciate the comraderie, unfortunately the fragrances she wears are triggering your allergies and make it incredibly uncomfortable to continue your workout. Maybe add that this is the reason you keep having to find a machine away from her, and that it's not personal - just self-preservation.

If I'm addressing my fragrance allergy with someone who's wearing something overbearing, I always lighten the conversation by adding that my grocery trips have to be done with someone or I send my husband back without me to get anything on the soaps/detergents aisle because I can't even walk down it! We usually have a chuckle and I say how sad it is, because it really is. Since having my son, I'm MUCH more sensitive to fragrances and they trigger horrible migraines.

New time she does it, just fart real loud. She will get the hint either from the sound OR the smell.....I know that's what I do!

From what you've described, the passive solutions offered won't work. It seems she wants to be near you (maybe for her own motivation) for whatever reasons and moving to another machine every time she shows will definitely foster ill will. After a few times of that, she'll pick up on that and be offended for sure. My husband is very, very sensitive to perfumes and since we are a perfume free house, heavy perfume on someone will lead to a headache for me. I carpooled with a lady for over a year who layered her perfume - body soap, lotion, then perfume. She reeked! After the first time she rode in my car and after I got home, my family and I took off for dinner out. We did not get a block from the house and had to go back due to a violent sneezing attack my husband had due to her perfume. I very politely told her the next day that on the weeks I drove, she had to be perfume free or we wouldn't be able to carpool due to my husband's allergies. She was very nice about it and even toned it down on the weeks she drove. I had people at work thanking me for getting her to tone it down.

As fas the lady at the gym, try pressing it with the staff again and bring up your reaction to her perfume. Point out that if you or someone get ill, pass out, etc. at their establishment because of the perfume, they are liable. That might get their attention. If they still don't act, follow the polite suggestions you've been given about approaching her and explaining what the perfume is doing to you. You might tell her it's nice to have someone else working out nearby and staying motivated by that, but you are faced with changing your workout altogether if the perfume issue can't be resolved. Be nice and unless she's a total meanie, she should understand and stop. Good luck!

WOW- this could be a tough one. I think its all in how you say. Start very nice, like hi, how are you? Then say something like i love your dedication, i see you everyday. Next lead with you have very bad allergies or sinus issues and that perfume and strong orders make them worst and you noticed that when she works out near you have issues. Last end with it really great that's she working out and your not trying to offend her its just you want to get the best workout too.

She may not even know its that strong since no one has told her. If she's a classy lady she'll take your words in the kind spirit you give them. If she's not hopefully she'll get mad that when you arrive or she see's you at the gym she moves far away from you.

This. Sandwich it in nice complimentary stuff. When addressing the complaint stick to facts: I notice your perfume I notice I have a strong allergic reaction, looks like there are other machines a little ways away you can choose.

Establish your respect for her hard work and say you hate to make this strange request but you seem to be chemically sensitive and she seems like such a nice person you were hoping she'd understand.

Even though you may be uncomfortable try to resist relieving your discomfort by joking. It would come out wrong if youre anything like me.

1. Your gym SUCKS for management's lack of balls. Yes, it is clearly bothering someone. There is no reason they can't post a "please no perfumes as some of our patrons are sensitive" at the front desk and in the locker rooms.

2. I would not mention it to her. It won't go well.

3. Change machines - and if you don't like that, change gyms and find one where management has balls and takes care of business.

This ^^ I wouldn't be supporting somewhere that didn't cater to just plain common sense unless I absolutely have to and saying something to her isn't going to work well.... Wouldn't it be funny that she's paranoid of smelling bad during her workout and puts it on specifically just before her gym time... LOL. Ohhh neurotic people are so fun to watch though.

1. Your gym SUCKS for management's lack of balls. Yes, it is clearly bothering someone. There is no reason they can't post a "please no perfumes as some of our patrons are sensitive" at the front desk and in the locker rooms.

2. I would not mention it to her. It won't go well.

3. Change machines - and if you don't like that, change gyms and find one where management has balls and takes care of business.

THIS!!!

Many places of employment have "scent free" zones due to people with allergies, etc.... I would go to management and let them know that the employees refused to assist you. It is their JOB to make sure everyone is comfortable...uh, and can BREATH!

Not only that, some perfumes will smell great on some people and horrible on other people - if I really liked a perfume but it smelled awful, I would want to know. Although I would probably only say something if I knew that person REALLY well.

1. the above post hilarious
2. I would ask for the gym manager, she is bothering you, I totally understand, I am supersensitive to smells, If the manager wont do anything, I would confront her, the worst she thing she could do is be rude to you and talk about you to her friends, and not get on a machine right next to you.

Don’t confront her. Take the passive aggressive approach by eating lots of high-fiber foods, specifically, beans before a work out. Broccoli won’t hurt either. When she starts coming around wearing her overbearing perfume, start ripping mad *kitten* around her. She won’t want to come around you again.

This is an amazing response!