Have you ever had the nerve to tell someone that they...well, stink?

[Stepharoonie!]

I have SO MANY stinky customers in this store, it's unreal. It's a lot of (MAINLY) guys who appear to never take a shower or brush their teeth. Sweaty, dirty, ripped clothes. Dirt marks on their faces. All ages. Almost all are gamers. They all come in a few times a week.

I'm getting sick of dealing with the smells that come from these guys (who will hang around up front on the sales floor, stinking up the place). How can I politely tell these people to either take a bath or not loiter up front?! Since I'm the manager here, I can pretty much say or do what I want (within reason...I can't ban them).

Right now, there is one stinky individual (comes in every week) who is literally making my eyes water. It's disgusting. He's clear on the other side of the room, but I can still smell him over here.

 

[Beauty]

I'm not sure what your job is but if they are paying customers I wouldn't say anything. If, on the other hand they are just loitering then I would definatly tell them to leave.

The only two people I have told that to is my DH after hes been working in the yard, or my son when he comes in from sports practice.

 

[Stepharoonie!]

I'm the manager of a comic store.

The smell is literally so bad that other customers will leave without buying anything. The "stinky" customers never spend a dime.

 

[floridaminnie]

I would ask them to leave then. Especially if you are losing business from it.

 

[Beauty]

Yep I'd ask them to leave if they aren't paying customers.

 

[hydster]

No help here Steph but I was laughing at your title of the post! We took our kids to the movie a few months ago and we were there early and got GREAT seats!!! About 5 min into the movie this couple comes in and sits down in the seats in front of us and they stunk SO badly that we had to move. I mean like gagging us making us almost vomit bad! We moved to the front of the theatre in really crummy seats and felt bad that we had to move. By the time the lights came on after the show the couple was all alone and there was no one even close to them. Upon further inspection of them (yep we were lucky enough to walk out behind them...our lucky day) the woman had what looked to be a lice nit on her scalp where her greasy hair parted! Man I was so sick I couldnt eat dinner that night!!

No help but thanks for the giggle and some "diet" help with me remembering that disgusting scenario...now I dont feel so hungry! LOL

Heidi

 

[Stepharoonie!]

I'm not kidding when I say that this smell is SO BAD that my head is literally aching and I have watery eyes. I've NEVER smelled anything this rancid before, and this guy (it's a group of 4, but 1 in particular) REALLY TAKES THE CAKE!

BLECH! BLECH! Go away! I'm trying to be nice since I have 20 minutes before I close...

...oh, thank God. They just left. Did they buy anything? Nope. BLECH!

I still have very stinky regulars that come in during the week.

 

[Brer_Papa]

Yes.....i have the nerve....usually starts with something like..."Dang...you reek"....

Anyway....i agree with the other posters....it's a place of business....make them buy or make them leave...whether they reek or not....

 

[KristaTX]

I used to be a full-time school nurse and teachers would all the time send me kids to tell them that they. . . well. . . stunk. I tried to approach it in an "educational" way. But these guys are adults - they have no excuse. Too bad you don't have a comic store nurse to send them too .

Krista

 

[Lanshark]

Put out a sign:

NO Shirt
NO Shoes
NO Soap

NO Service

 

[CEDmom]

You know how some establishments have signs that say "no shoes, no shirt, no service"? Maybe you could hang a sign that says "no shower, no deodorant, no service".

 

[tigercat]

This is funny in a way. My dd when she was in grade 7 refused to shower or wash her hair. I went for a while forcing her into the bath but she was bigger than me. I finally decided that if she went to school like that her peers would help me. It worked. Then I had the problem that she started to shower twice a day and used all the hot water when she showered LOL
tigercat

 

[Serena]

Shoo them out the door. Say something about how glad you are that they like the place, but they need a shower.
Don't give them time to get embarrassed or comment, just say it and turn around and walk away.

 

[eeyore74]

Could you febreeze them?

I don't know how to tell someone they stink, other than DH and the dog. I do like Serena's advice, though.

 

[ilovepcot]

STEPH....is it possible that these men are homeless and only come in to find free entertainment? That's what happens at my public libray. Last time I visited, I was stunned over the number of homeless there. Many appeared to be sick and all were in need of bathing, clean clothes and medical attention. Sad!

 

[TIGGERSMOM]

Why not start handing them coupons for soap, and personal hygeine products?

 

[powellrj]

a few weeks ago on the show "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" one of the guys was having a big reading of his new play to some "big name" people who could help him. They had made him over with new clothes and personal products and the guys just about died when he got ready for his big night and didn't shower first. Bleck..... You would think a shower would be the first thing someone did, but I guess some people just have no clue.

 

[Chattyaholic]

I don't have an answer for you, but I can sympathize.

I'm a waitress and I remember one customer in particular, an elderly man, who reeked horribly. He came in almost every day about 4:00 to eat, so it wasn't like he couldn't afford soap, but he smelled so bad I would actually hold my breath when I went to take his order. The owner hated that he came in, but she would never say anything to him and I thought she should have. He finally stopped coming in, and I learned that he had to go to a nursing home. Hopefully they keep him cleaner there at least. Occasionally we have other customers who smell terrible, and I always feel sorry for people sitting next to them. I don't see how they can enjoy their food, smelling that person near them, ugh!!

 

[Jeafl]

I would get a can of air freshener and walk around spraying it asking the guy "Do you smell that? Something really smells in here". Maybe he will take the hint without coming right out an embarassing him.

 

[C.Ann]

You might approach them with the comment that a "customer" has complained about an offensive odor and suggest a new soap and/or deoderant that is on the market..

I dealt with someone like that once - but on a more personal level.. After numerous repeated "hints" fell on deaf ears I was finally forced to say, "You smell bad.. Do you think you could take a shower?"

It's a very uncomfortable situation to be in, but sometimes you just have to take the bull by the horns and lay it on the line..