# I feel bad about this, but should I? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 12, 2007, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-bad-about-this-but-should-i/407647 "2007-06-12T01:23:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![pool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pool/32/4152_2.png) [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2007, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-bad-about-this-but-should-i/407647/21 "2007-06-12T06:10:56Z")
In 9th grade I farted in Algebra and this really hot (but very obtuse) girl sitting next to me asked me if I smelled burning rubber. I pretended I had no idea where it was coming from. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2007, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-bad-about-this-but-should-i/407647/22 "2007-06-12T07:42:58Z")
No, you’re fine. I have even gone to store security and complained about an especially fetid person and asked that they be removed- but that was because we were in a grocery store that served hot food. ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2007, 7:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-bad-about-this-but-should-i/407647/23 "2007-06-12T07:58:12Z")
All I can think is, “He had a **kid** with him?!” ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2007, 10:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-bad-about-this-but-should-i/407647/24 "2007-06-12T10:43:59Z")
You didn’t do anything wrong. It’s not as though you were following the guy around, pointing, laughing, and holding your nose. > [@Caricci](#): > > One of the things I hate that my husband does is talking about “what’s that smell???” all the time because it could be a person or that person’s effects that stink. So…yes, I’m sorry but, IMO, you should feel a little bad. Hell no. IMO, it’s a lot ruder to stink\* than it is to comment on stinkiness. \*With the exception of, and all due apologies to, the infinitessimal number of people with a weird stinky skin condition that they can’t do anything about. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2007, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-bad-about-this-but-should-i/407647/25 "2007-06-12T12:25:15Z")
[QUOTE=DrDeth] complained about an especially fetid person and asked that they be removed- [/QUOTE] Did they do it? ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2007, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-bad-about-this-but-should-i/407647/26 "2007-06-12T12:29:39Z")
[QUOTE=delphica] I shouldn’t even go down this road … but what do dead worms smell like and how do you know? [/QUOTE] I thought everyone knew this smell. It’s the smell you get after a big rain that forces the worms out of the ground, and then the sun bakes 'em. It’s a familiar odor to me. He probably didn’t know you were talking about him, but if you did, since it wasn’t a comment TO him, I wouldn’t sweat it (pardon the pun). ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2007, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-bad-about-this-but-should-i/407647/27 "2007-06-12T14:47:48Z")
[QUOTE=Zoe] Sometimes people get used to their own stench and they can’t tell that they smell. It’s better that he heard it from a perfect stranger. [/QUOTE] Several years back I was explaining something to one of my brothers, using my computer. As he leaned over my shoulder, I said “uh, listen, I love you and stuff, but when was the last time you brushed your teeth?” He said “you shittin me? _sniffs his breath_ I don’t smell anything, but I do believe you.” “Stinks. Please brush for a long time and gargle too, I think you may have an infection.” The brushing and Listerine helped but it was clear something was wrong with his mouth or throat. We inherited Dad’s nerve endings, at least in the mouth. He had a rotting tooth and it hadn’t hurt him at all; he _had_ been brushing his teeth. My boss’ breath makes me nauseous. I reach for the box of sugarfree chewing gum every time he leaves my desk (you know, in case mine is anywhere near half as bad), but I haven’t been able to work up the courage to tell him. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the OP’s remark, since first, it wasn’t an “oh my God you stink” and second, he may have needed to know about it. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2007, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-bad-about-this-but-should-i/407647/28 "2007-06-12T16:27:48Z")
[QUOTE=Nava] \My boss’ breath makes me nauseous. I reach for the box of sugarfree chewing gum every time he leaves my desk (you know, in case mine is anywhere near half as bad), but I haven’t been able to work up the courage to tell him. \ [/QUOTE] Is it coffee and cigarette breath? I can smell coffee and cigarette breath from across a room, it’s so bad. ---
**Author:** ![ZebraShaSha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/eada6e/32.png) [@ZebraShaSha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZebraShaSha)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2007, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-bad-about-this-but-should-i/407647/29 "2007-06-12T16:57:21Z")
“Have you ever noticed that when you investigate a smell, it never turns out good? ‘Oh, what is that smell! _Muffins._’” - Demetri Martin (Nothing to add otherwise) ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2007, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-bad-about-this-but-should-i/407647/30 "2007-06-12T18:01:51Z")
[QUOTE=carnivorousplant] Did they do it? [/QUOTE] Ine one case, yes, with gladness (they thanked me for mentioning ot as their company policy sez that they could not throw anyone out for being smelly unless “customer complained”, and apparently that is not uncommon). In another case, they said “we’ll keep an eye on him” and with the guard staring at him, he left. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2007, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-bad-about-this-but-should-i/407647/31 "2007-06-12T18:08:36Z")
[QUOTE=jsgoddess] Edited to add: Three guesses what Lynyrd Skynyrd song I have running through my head. [/QUOTE] Give me three steps, give me three steps mister, give three steps towards the door. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2007, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-bad-about-this-but-should-i/407647/32 "2007-06-12T18:41:32Z")
[QUOTE=pool] In 9th grade I farted in Algebra and this really hot (but very obtuse) girl [/QUOTE] Are you sure it wasn’t geometry? > [@Zoe](#): > > What good has it done either of us that I can’t forget hurting her? I still cringe at the fact that I let the door shut on the fingers of a slower-moving old lady in the nursing home. The upside is I am much more careful now, so as to prevent something else from guilting me to death. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2007, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-bad-about-this-but-should-i/407647/33 "2007-06-12T20:27:28Z")
[QUOTE=Zoe] Sometimes people get used to their own stench and they can’t tell that they smell. [/QUOTE] I’ll have to disagree with you here. I know that smell. I’ve smelled that smell. I’ve been that smell. There was no way he wasn’t aware of it. He was probably embarassed already, and couldn’t get home fast enough to change, but his errands couldn’t be postponed. Last time I had that smell was when I was on vacation last year. Fortunately, I only offended one person. Unfortunately, it was my girlfriend, and it was in her car. We managed to put up with it for our 15-minute trip to the beach. Seawater cleared it right up. (The problem was a bathing suit that was improperly hung up to dry.) Oddly enough, that was not the most annoying smell we encountered at that particular resort location. Hint: If you are going to collect sea shells and store them in your hotel room, be certain that they do not contain live occupants. ---
**Author:** ![Beltane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/aca169/32.png) [@Beltane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beltane)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2007, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-bad-about-this-but-should-i/407647/34 "2007-06-12T20:55:57Z")
It is possible that he could have not been able to smell himself- or anything else. Anosmia- the inablility to smell is actually very very rare, but it does exist. My father has no sense of smell. (as a result of a taumatic brain injury.) ---
**Author:** ![Omega\_Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7c8e57/32.png) [@Omega\_Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omega_Glory)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2007, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-bad-about-this-but-should-i/407647/35 "2007-06-12T20:59:35Z")
[QUOTE=Kalhoun] I thought everyone knew this smell. It’s the smell you get after a big rain that forces the worms out of the ground, and then the sun bakes 'em. It’s a familiar odor to me. He probably didn’t know you were talking about him, but if you did, since it wasn’t a comment TO him, I wouldn’t sweat it (pardon the pun). [/QUOTE] Yea, it’s rotten, and earthy at the same time. I know what it smells like in its concentrated form, because I come from a family of fishermen, and once someone left their baitbox on the boat, and all the worms died, then the baitbox was opened and… Just be glad you weren’t there. After I got back into the room, and the guy was gone, the secretary pulled out a can of air freshener and started spraying it everywhere. I was glad I wasn’t the only one who couldn’t take it. ---
**Author:** ![Tristan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tristan/32/18058_2.png) [@Tristan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tristan)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2007, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-bad-about-this-but-should-i/407647/36 "2007-06-12T21:10:12Z")
[QUOTE=What’s That Smell?] Sorry. I can’t help it. [/QUOTE] Best De-lurking Comment. EVAR!! ---
**Author:** ![Flea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d78d45/32.png) [@Flea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flea)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2007, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-bad-about-this-but-should-i/407647/37 "2007-06-12T21:14:41Z")
Screw the smell, did you call CPS? ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2007, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-bad-about-this-but-should-i/407647/38 "2007-06-12T21:18:54Z")
[QUOTE=Flea] Screw the smell, did you call CPS? [/QUOTE] Are you serious? ---
**Author:** ![Lunar\_Saltlick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/977dab/32.png) [@Lunar\_Saltlick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lunar_Saltlick)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2007, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-bad-about-this-but-should-i/407647/39 "2007-06-13T12:57:24Z")
[QUOTE=Shagnasty] … “Good sir, you really do smell horrible but I know how hard you people have it \*\*working down in the sewer for sub-minimum wage and all \*\* and you don’t have anymore clothes so I will refrain from such commentary in the future.” … [/QUOTE] [Bolding mine] A few years ago, I read an article about strange jobs, and it turns out that sewer work pays really well. After a few years, when you’ve got some experience and shown that you can cut it down there, they really don’t want to let you get away, and really open the floodgates (money-wise, that is, not the _other_ floodgates). I believe that experienced sewer workers make more than I do. This is a useless factoid to kill the thread. ---
**Author:** ![Licentious\_Ectomorph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/5e9695/32.png) [@Licentious\_Ectomorph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Licentious_Ectomorph)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2007, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-bad-about-this-but-should-i/407647/40 "2007-06-13T14:31:27Z")
[QUOTE=featherlou] Is it coffee and cigarette breath? I can smell coffee and cigarette breath from across a room, it’s so bad. [/QUOTE] ☹ Actually, I keep mints in every room in the house, in my car, and on my person at all times for that very reason. I’m obsessive about my breath, and would be mortified if it were bad. No one ever tells me it’s bad; in fact, my friends rib me about the amount of mints I eat, and one gives me a big ol’ jar of peppermint candies for Christmas every year. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-bad-about-this-but-should-i/407647.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-bad-about-this-but-should-i/407647.md?page=3)