My flatmate stinks
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- domacle
So I live in a house with 4 people and one of my flatmates absolutely stinks.
He's the skinniest little fucker too, but the stench is unbearable. His sister is staying with us currently so he's sleeping in the living room, and walking in there after he's slept in there is horrific.
It smells like the equivalent of a block of BO (if you could somehow solidify BO) put in an oven, and then wrapped in mouldy cheese.
I've hinted at it before, but he gets incredibly defensive and then tries to put it back on other people.
I think he showers regularly and uses deodorant but am adamant it's more than this and he needs to see someone about it. Quite a few people have commented too.
How do I broach the subject with him without him sidelining it by trying to make excuses or get defensive?
It's become untenable.
Discuss.
- set0
I lol'd at the thread title haha.
That's a tricky one dude. Of course the best thing to do is tell him about it, it's a shame he gets so defensive. If I smelt that bad I would certainly want someone to tell me so I can do something about it.
I guess you just have to be assertive and quite forceful and if he gets childish and defensive just bring that out into the open as well and tell him you aren't trying to be rude or be a dick, but rather it's simply an issue that is enough of a problem for you to need to talk about it.
Or you could wait until he goes to sleep each night and run in with a wet sponge and some aftershave.
- orrinward0
Get passive aggressive on him. Leave air fresheners hanging from the ceiling.
You say he's sleeping on the sofa at the moment? Maybe leave a nicely wrapped can of deodorant on the arm every time he arrives home?
- sureshot0
when he sleeps tie him up. than trow him in a bath of ammonia.
- domacle0
Haha orrinward, I actually hid one of those air fresheners that goes off when you walk near it (motion detector) in his room, and he got defensive about that; "why'd you hide an air freshener in my room for?!"
Then he just put it in the bathroom.
- sea_sea0
"cause you effin stink that's why!" ^
just tell him dude. bring his sister into it too, she might be able to help talk to him.
- sea_sea0
or better yet, have a cute girl he likes tell him straight out.
- goldieboy0
I lived with a 'stinker' at uni. It was horrible but he was a really good mate. I took him out for a beer one night and just told him the way it was. We were good mates so it was probably easier. He 'cleaned' his act up after seeking medical advice. The bastard started pulling all the hot chicks at uni after that!
Therefore, move-out and let him stew in his own BO!
- GeorgesII0
move out,
problem solved
- domacle0
Moving out isn't an option as love the place, area and the other housemates. I like him too - just that he stinks.
- take him out for a beer and just tell him in a 'good mate' waygoldieboy
- kick his ass to the curbmonospaced
- maikel0
if you want him smelling nice, do what sea says. get a good looking girl (or boy depending on your roomy orientation) to comment on the smell. Surely he will do something about it.
otherwise move on your own ffs!
- Miesfan0
"Hey, your mother just called--your father is dead."
"What?! Oh my god, I--"
"Just kidding. But seriously, take a fucking shower -- you smell like moldy cheese hiding inside a dead skunk's asshole."Or mulling over the idea of paying a prostitute to tell him...
- lolgoldieboy
- miesfan you don't need to pay a prostitu - perhaps a female friend will sufficemaikel
- hahaha, just kidding!Miesfan
- HAHAHAHAProjectile
- hahaheathen
- SunSunSun0
Yeah I would tell him in a respectful 'bro' type way. He might have one of those diseases where you just smell like shit no matter what.
Someone's gotta do it at some stage. It's your calling man if you're so disturbed by it.
On an unrelated note - is his sister hot?
- Projectile0
yeah if you say "pfaaah man you staaaynk!!" he's gonna get defensive. You gotta sit the fucker down.
Does this guy have a really bad diet or something? Or maybe it's not about washing himself but his clothes and bedding?
- Come to think of it, yes he does have an incredibly bad diet. But again - doesn't think he doesdomacle
- SunSunSun0
Q
Is there a test for fish odor syndrome, and if so, where can I get it? No matter how often I shower, use underarm deodorant or brush my teeth, my body and breath smell really bad. I can see how people react to me.
A
Fish odor syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that causes people to emit the smell of rotting fish. The odor can be mild or strong, but it has nothing to do with personal hygiene - the problem is an enzyme deficiency that prevents the breakdown of trimethylamine (TMA), a byproduct of protein digestion released by bacteria that live in the gut. The medical name for the condition is primary trimethylaminuria.
- them0
move out, you will develop asthma and or other breathing issues as well as feeling remorse and anger since you mention and bring it up.
- unparmas0
Tell him you'll be throwing a birthday party next week. When he asks you your age tell him it's illegal and call the cops.
- orrinward0
My first year at Uni I lived with a stinker and I think it was mainly his diet -> Canned Peas on plain pasta, with Tesco Southern Fried Chicken every day. Oh, and toast with ketchup. That's not an example diet either, he only liked certain foods and had a weird routine.
Is it a BO smell or like a mouldy smell - It could be the way he washes his clothes -> Not enough detergent / confusing detergent with softener / Not opening the washer door when the load is finished, letting it sit in the moisture for ages.
- the washer machine thing is a good point. you can ruin clothes like this, towels especiallyprophetone
- Vinegar in the prewash will cure this. Just plain white vinegar will get it back to neutral. Avoid conditioner.mikotondria3