Nov 18
CrazyChick asked:
I work in a small office environment, and every morning I’m assaulted with the smell of perfume as I walk through the door. The coworker works in an open, yet cramped, office space three rooms away from the front door. Everywhere you go, the smell is there, lingering, with a vengence. Because of the way the office is set up, I have to literally sqeeze past this girl to get to the printer/scanner/copier. I use all three more than anyone else, so that means probably 50-75 times a day, I’m within inches of the smell. I’ve had chronic headaches since she’s been there. I don’t know her well, so I’ll probably end up talking to the office manager - her boss, not mine - but how do I put it?
Am I completely out of line?
I work in a small office environment, and every morning I’m assaulted with the smell of perfume as I walk through the door. The coworker works in an open, yet cramped, office space three rooms away from the front door. Everywhere you go, the smell is there, lingering, with a vengence. Because of the way the office is set up, I have to literally sqeeze past this girl to get to the printer/scanner/copier. I use all three more than anyone else, so that means probably 50-75 times a day, I’m within inches of the smell. I’ve had chronic headaches since she’s been there. I don’t know her well, so I’ll probably end up talking to the office manager - her boss, not mine - but how do I put it?
Am I completely out of line?
November 20th, 2008 at 4:04 am
put an anonymous note in her mailbox saying the following:
“Your overuse of perfume is unbearable and frankly, making the whole office uncomfortable. Please take care of this problem. Thank you.”
November 23rd, 2008 at 2:29 am
sneeze…sneeze..sneeze she will soon get the hint,,xx
November 23rd, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Just be very candid and non-judgmental. Say it is too strong for you, that you are sensitive. If you blame it on you, it won’t come off as bossy.
November 26th, 2008 at 11:18 am
This has happened to me before. You could always try sneezing or coughing and if the person asks you what is wrong you can say you think you might be allergic to her perfume. If you claim allergies then it does not sound rude. I know this is one of the hardest things to do but if you casually cough or sneeze you can make your point without hurting her feelings.
November 27th, 2008 at 2:50 am
keep in mind she probably doesn’t realize that it’s that bad once you wear the same sent for so long you get immune to the smell and can’t smell it at all i have a tendency to put on too much perfume and don’t even know it cause i can’t smell it i wouldn’t go to the boss if i was her that would make me mad just talk to her honestly
November 29th, 2008 at 3:14 am
What i would do a complain about the smell openly and not direct it toward her. Like just say when she’s near, “man! Is it really necessary for people her to use sooo much perfume?” and “ugh, I have a headache. I **** the smell of perfume” or, “cough cough cough, ugh… perfume. Who is that?”
December 1st, 2008 at 2:16 pm
She might actually appreciate you telling her…just make sure she thinks that you are telling her because you care about her, not because you think she stinks. Good luck.
December 4th, 2008 at 8:00 pm
LOL!!! maybe this question is better in etiquette.
I would politely tell her that her fragrance is a bit strong and your a little sensitive by how strong it is . Some people are very sensitive to strong car fresheners and perfumes.
Only go to her supervisor if she has a problem with you discussing the issue.
December 5th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Because of the headaches, you are probably allergic to it. Many people are allergic to perfumes. Just tell her boss the scent is overpowering and is making you feel ill. She should handle it from there. This woman obviously doesn’t know that a woman’s perfume should be discovered, not announced, and she’s immune to it.
“a fox can’t smell his own hole”.
December 5th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
Just tell her you are sensitive to perfumes. She might be someone like me with a weak sense of smell, and dosent realize shes doing it. It dosent bother me when people call me out as long as they are not rude, I appreciate it. Youd tell your blind friend he hed accidentally put on a hot pink britany spears t-shirt wouldnt you?
Just tell her the truth, that you have a lot of allergies and you are sensitive to chemicals, that puts the fault on you in case she is sensitive.
December 6th, 2008 at 8:00 pm
Just tell her how you feel, some people don’t have a good sense of smell. She may not know how over-powering her scent is. Just tell her politely, after you take her to lunch.
Talk to her first before you go running to your boss, because you have to go past her numerous times a day. As a supervisor myself, if you came to me with this issue I would ask you if you had a chance to voice your concerns to her before you came to me.