For some very interesting reason we are uncomfortable telling someone that their breath stinks. Bad breath (poopy stinky) is generally caused by the Porphyromonas Gingivalis bacteria, which looks like the little critter you see here. I’ve asked myself and others why it is that we can’t just flat out say “hey your breath is kinda stinky”. The general response was that most people don’t want to cause embarrassment to the stinky breathed person. Ok, this is a pretty valid reason, but what can be done to convey that poop breath is NOT good.
Total Avoidance: Dodge their breath path every time they speak…they may get the hint.
Total Avoidance: Dodge their breath path every time they speak…they may get the hint.
Indirect Directness: Offer them a piece of gum or breath mint. If they refuse just make it very clear that “yes, you really should take one.”
Passive Aggressive: Leave a sticky note on their computer monitor that kind of says that their breath sticks without using the words “breath” or “stinks”.
Straight Forward Directness: Just straight up tell them. Most Americans are not comfortable with this option, more of a European approach. You can always pretend you are from England and with your fake English accent say, "did you know thar your breath is very unpleasant? Here, please do take this Orbitz gum. It'll clean it right up". Odly enough you can say things with an English accent that in an American accent would sound plain rude.
Comic Relief: Make it fun and innovative. Buy them the special “Bad Breath” (Porphyromonas gingivalis) plush toy. Hand it to them and say “you need to take care of this”.
No matter how you handle it, the topic is just one of those social farts no one wants to touch. Now that you have an arsenal of ways to get the message across, step outside of your comfort zone and try one you would never ever normally do.
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