I think coworker, at this point, enjoys seeing OP fly into a panic about stinking so shes keeping up the Ooh, you stink! commentary. I'm a 54 yr old female. However, I noticed you said you stopped wearing perfume but have you also stopped using the indie oil scents? There's no need for you to take it any further. It took me like two years and several hundred dollars worth of products before I found something that worked for my hair and they will pry my weirdly pineapple-scented hair gel from my cold, dead hands. , so I havent said anything about them. Same with strawberry shortcake and popcorn. Should I say something? Sorry you are going through this. You can also suggest an article, book, or other resource on the topic. I dont wear anything scented. I actually find the smell of patchouli very pleasant, but I do recognize that a lot of people have negative associations with it. Oh, Jager I cant be near it. Ha ha ha! I feel like this thread could be about my brother once he gets an office job. If you have to be within my personal bubble of space to even smell my body wash then there is a bigger issue then how I smell, and can be easily fixed by staying a respectable distance from me. Heres an analogy I came up with: Imagine you are in a burning building and if you dont get out immediately, you will pass out from the smoke and/or get burned. And of course I shower daily. Also, while I typically have (mild) allergic reactions to fragrances, sometimes non-scented products have ingredients that Im sensitive to. Yeah. Therefore, I only bring it up to people if I cant avoid the person and just deal with it because I feel that I shouldnt dictate how others live their own lives. Sometimes its a subtle smell their bodies give off, sometimes its body odor after a day of work. I agree with you that the OP has already done a lot and the coworker is being snarky. I feel like the LW has done more than enough to ensure that they dont smell strongly at work and that this coworker is being unreasonable and rude. I didnt know the immune system could even distinguish between synthetic and natural molecules, but it sounds fascinating. Talk about getting off topic . Yes, when I pour some vinegar into the washer there is no vinegar smell when the wash is done. People smell a certain way. Sowhat the OP might consider doing is going to her boss (assuming the boss is reasonable) and saying something like, Ive tried very hard to work with Coworker regarding her scent sensitivity. (Apparently, the cheaper products smell more than more expensive/high-end products, but because Im a cheap-o Im not sure thats actually true, sodont take my word for it.). She claimed I couldnt possibly smell it because it was only a drop on each foot and was covered, she couldnt smell it at all. Find out what causes asthma, and how to take control of your symptoms. Continuous sinus nose pressure after 2nd child? What would I have to do then buy all new clothes to eradicate a scent that may or may not exist? If Im being charitable to the coworker, I think this may be happening; shes having a real reaction to a non-existent smell because she assumes its there. Yeah. Maybe she got it confused with lemongrass? Never in my life did I think I'd see Gordon Ramsay quoted positively in an etiquette forum, but there it is, and he did well. My parents have one of those. Ooh, I would love to have a coworker who smelled like cookies! Then again, here the people rocking the strong scents tend to be older and more senior in the organization. Asking them not to apply perfume before work, is one thing, to alter their personal life by buying two sets of products or not lighting scented candles in the bedroom or not cooking with curry or garlic or whatever. swatting away an annoying fly that landed on the nose. The OP writes that she wears scents with patchouli on the weekend. I find it appalling. I have no advice OP, just commiseration. It doesnt make sense that OP needs to suddenly cut out all shampoo and all bath products when seemingly everyone else can use them without judgement, including us. Sorry, I might sound rude but I personally think all offices should have a no parfume/no strong aftershave rule because although the wearer of a parfume may love the way it smells, odds are NO ONE ELSE does. True, but even the boss shouldnt be expected to get dressed in the garage. At this point, the issue is that she has a coworker whos being rude and snarky to her, not that she should just stop using bubble bath on weekends or so forth. Maybe the hierarchy of OP compared to the coworker is part of this. This woman is over the top. I think this can have a lot to do with body chemistry, too I have one essential oil blend made for me that has a lot of layers, but the one that lasts the longest is kind of a candle-smoke scent. Usually, your best bet is to start your sentences with "I" or keep the focus on yourself -- it's less accusatory. At Thanksgiving, people give me a look when I say I dont like turkey very much. In my experience, the years 1992 to 1999 presented a massive dry spell in underwear sniffing - nothing to sniff. I keep forgetting I probably need to try it for all those foreclosed houses I enter that simply reek of animal waste. Ill be damned if I change every product I use outside of work to accommodate one person. They just arent my preference, but barring a health related consequence of great severity, I would never dream of asking anyone to change their scent of choice. I have encountered commenters, here and on Corporette, who fully believe that scent free is the way to be, and that the world would be better if everyone cut scented products out of their lives. Hmmmm food for thought. I know my winter parka can definitely retain scents in the fur on the hood, so it might be something like that transferring scents? My mom swears up and down that baby powder smells like dirty diapers because she so strongly associates the two. And that's because your coworker might not even know that she likes you yet. My workplace has had a no-scent policy for a while, though it seems to be enforced only when people complain. So whether shes extra-sensitive or not, shes clearly a jerk. often benign and usually treatable, Dr. Reisman says. I eventually left for another job and Im told she left right after. Many people have year-round reactions to indoor allergens such as mold, dust mites or animal dander. My boss solution was to buy her a fan that she could turn on while I was in the room to point at me to keep my stink away from her. I was wondering about the timing of these complaints, OP mentions they started about a month ago, did anything happen at that time between OP and this coworker? They want to make it seem like you are not a good fit for the job. Youve made many changes to try to accommodate her and theyve been unsuccessful. I wouldnt wish that on anyone. I used to love a scented oil, Rose Musk and I had to stop wearing it because I had two bosses that made their eyes water. There are people who believe very strongly in this initiative, so it wouldnt surprise me to encounter that sentiment here or elsewhere. If you have a problem with them, buy me something different.. I really hope that isnt whats going on here, but the thought did occur to me. Dont even know if it was the pecan pie, but havent been able to eat it since (19 years on!). On the other hand theres a series of scents lemon, lemongrass, patchouli, amber, deep vanillas, musks, that are a holdover from the old hippie scents phase from Coty and Loves and Avon. I guess people who are sensitive to it can smell it long after use. We offer this Site AS IS and without any warranties. Im not sure the OP really can win with this co-worker.. I think the OP has already gone above and beyond, but it wouldnt be a bad idea to dot the remaining is and cross the remaining ts (air fresheners at home, in public restrooms, or in the car, dryer sheets, etc. What can I say, I both went through a goth phase in high school AND lived in San Francisco for several years! I was mortified when it happened. There's a new guy at work, he's been here for about a month, he sits opposite me and is driving me insane already. I can relate to this. Been out of college over 10 years and still cant drink it at all. Not to derail, but Im hyposmic and I wash laundry with vinegar every once in a while to remove any lingering smells that might have escaped my notice. Most wearers would recognize such disgust like the OP did and stop wearing it but I can see others loving it so much that they would not give it up. I inhale the mindblowing smells and sandals I also lick, but only the inner soles where the pretty feet have met the . Yeah, you have definitely gone above and beyond to accommodate this coworker. One of the easiest ways to make someone squirm is to imply that they stink. No one wants to be the smelly guy in the office. And I feel you pain. Agreed. Another thought that just occurred to me is a cloth car seat, so maybe while the clothing items were washed, perhaps its being transferred from other places. Although if someone (politely) asked me to use a different detergent because it was making them ill, I probably would. What else can be done? It drives me nutty but Im also contributing to the issue. Its kind of sad that management isnt reprimanding her behavior. They gave us a list of suggested unscented, fragrance free, hypoallergenic laundry and hygiene items. She likes the idea and often makes it a part of our sexlife. Maybe he was just made to wear it. Oh, thats a really good observation. At this point, the issue is that she has a coworker whos being rude and snarky to her, not that she should just stop using bubble bath on weekends or so forth. The co-worker in this situation is absolutely going about things unprofessionally, but as someone with scent sensitivity, I can sympathize. I get the sense that this issue of sensitivity to smells is very cultural. I dont wear the one perfume I own (which is very light and solid perfume so I can wear a very small amount) to work because I dont want to disturb coworkers. Re: I Caught My Brother's Friend Sniffing My Panties by Eebrahym ( m ): 9:35am On Sep 29, 2013. Even the most proper person has burped and sniffed on occasion; because these are common bodily functions, it's impossible to completely avoid doing them. It is just normal unscented Sure/Tide/Bounce, though, not natural versions of these like youd find in places like Whole Foods. Privacy Policy and Affiliate Disclosures, our group member has a fragrance sensitivity - and we're supposed to be hugged to check for any scents, my employees husband wont stop calling me to complain about her evaluation, http://www.emilysstomach.com/2013/06/aversions-to-food-and-why-smells-make.html, should I tell my coworker about our colleagues criminal record, I deeply regret joining my companys leadership program, and more, my company is cutting my overworked teams pay as punishment for mistakes. Allergic reactions to fragrances, sometimes non-scented products have ingredients that Im sensitive to I inhale the smells. Though it seems to be enforced only when people complain I have to then! 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