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Of course, body odor issues don't always emanate from you. Perhaps just as bad? Being wedged next to someone with a problem—on a bus, plane, barstool, or in a neighboring cubicle. When a friend or colleague suffers from B.O., daily life can become, well, the pits.
That's the premise behind a new service called Deodorgrams. On its website, the Arizona-based company asks: "Ever hold your breath when high-fiving your best friend? Do you find yourself secretly cracking the window in the car? Would you rather take the next elevator than ride with your shirt over your nose?" The anonymous solution: Log on and select a deodorant (lavender, citrus, lime and clove, or unscented) that says For Pits Sake! in big letters. The gift-wrapped stick is sent with a preprinted message like "You've always been such a cute little stinker, now you can just be cute and little! Please enjoy this hard-working, natural deodorant sent to you from a caring friend."
Seem like a bit much? There are other options. Try stopping by a drugstore with your friend under the guise of picking up some deodorant for yourself—and offer to grab her a stick, too. One way to phrase it: "Have you tried this deodorant? It smells so good. Here, you'd like it."
Or go the direct route, so long as you're in private. No need to make a scene or up the embarrassment factor. Word it in a casual, friendly way: "I noticed your deodorant isn't doing what it should. Try this." Keep in mind that a medical condition could be triggering the problem, and don't suggest that your friend has poor personal hygiene—she'll likely be offended.
Despite the trickiness, speaking up is worth it. "You would want someone to tell you," Day says. "And I really do think a true friend will mention it. If your friend has no hair, she can't do anything about that. But with body odor, you can make a difference."
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