# My co-worker's perfume is killing me! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 24, 2006, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-co-workers-perfume-is-killing-me/345930 "2006-02-24T16:20:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2006, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-co-workers-perfume-is-killing-me/345930/1 "2006-02-24T16:20:40Z")
This has been building up for some time now and I’m ready to just scream! I work in a call-center. There’s about 80 of us and one of the new girls wears so much perfume that today I can actualy taste it. There are 3 or 4 of us who are coughing and choking. And just so you think I’m not some kind of namby-pamby nasal wimp I will point out that I smoke stinky cigars, BUT NOT IN THE OFFICE! I spoke to the boss and he said he’d send out a general email on the subject. Unfortunately it will probubly be so watered down that it will have minimal effect. I’ve tried to bring this up politely with the person who I thought was responsible but she seemed oblivious to the concept that perfume could be painful to someone else. I mean, c’mon, we all share a big room, a little consideration please. What ever happenned to a shower and deodorant? Why do some folks feel the need to drench thamselves in panther-musk? (or whatever that scent was in “Ron Burcandy”). It’s not like we have a whole slew of available bachelors working here (just a couple). ---
**Author:** ![velvetjones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/5f9b8f/32.png) [@velvetjones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velvetjones)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2006, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-co-workers-perfume-is-killing-me/345930/2 "2006-02-24T16:25:16Z")
I hate that. I work in an office with a large sales staff, most of them men. There are some that are guilty of the same thing with their cologne. I wonder how they make any sales like that. I used to wear perfume but when I ran out I just decided to stop wearing it. It seems somehow pointless. ---
**Author:** ![Honey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honey/32/5074_2.png) [@Honey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honey)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2006, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-co-workers-perfume-is-killing-me/345930/3 "2006-02-24T16:29:03Z")
The smell of perfume gives me an instant headache and runny nose. For some reason men’s aftershave doesn’t have the same effect. Anyone know why? ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2006, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-co-workers-perfume-is-killing-me/345930/4 "2006-02-24T16:29:32Z")
Hmmmmmm… What to do, what to do… Tie a kerchief over your face and glare at her? Get an industrial-sized can of air freshener and spray it in her direction every ten minutes? Smear Limburger cheese underneath her chair seat? Get a handheld fan, the bigger the better, and aim it toward her? ---
**Author:** ![missbunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/76d3ee/32.png) [@missbunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missbunny)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2006, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-co-workers-perfume-is-killing-me/345930/5 "2006-02-24T17:00:33Z")
> [@BMalion](#): > > And just so you think I’m not some kind of namby-pamby nasal wimp I will point out that I smoke stinky cigars, BUT NOT IN THE OFFICE! Hmmm. That perfume would kill me too. On the other hand, I am not sure about cigars, but smokers stink to high heaven when they return to their desks exuding their repulsive smoke molecules, which are embedded in their hair and clothes. They don’t smoke “in” the office either. Is it possible cigar-smokers have the same effect on other people? Maybe she is wearing so much perfume because the stench (maybe not of you but of cigarette-smokers) is bringing on asphyxiation? I don’t like gallons of perfume either but I’d take it over Eau de Stale Ashtray going up my sinuses for 8 hours. Or, maybe she’s just a big ol’ smelly nose-impaired perfume-wearer. You’re probably going to have to say something directly. ---
**Author:** ![Giant\_Spongess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/94ad74/32.png) [@Giant\_Spongess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giant_Spongess)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2006, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-co-workers-perfume-is-killing-me/345930/6 "2006-02-24T17:18:00Z")
This happened to me once. I did the amazingly simple thing of telling the overdoser that his cologne was making me feel sick. There’s no reason you can’t just go up to the perpetrator of this outrage and ask her to tone it down. Or you could just vomit in her lap. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2006, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-co-workers-perfume-is-killing-me/345930/7 "2006-02-24T17:18:02Z")
> [@missbunny](#): > > but smokers stink to high heaven when they return to their desks exuding their repulsive smoke molecules, which are embedded in their hair and clothes. They don’t smoke “in” the office either. Is it possible cigar-smokers have the same effect on other people? A concern that I am very much aware of. I try to keep that to a minimun as much as I can. I only smoke at home with a window open, I _hope_ my clothes don’t reek of cigars but I wouldn’t be surprised if they did. I sometimes ask my non-smoking friends if my cigar scent offends, and the only answer I’ve gotten is “how do you expect us to smell cigars over all the garlic from your cooking?” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2006, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-co-workers-perfume-is-killing-me/345930/8 "2006-02-24T17:22:45Z")
I used to occasionally wear a little fragrance, an all-natural essential oil mixture. Very mild and not long lasting, and I used it VERY sparingly. This woman I worked with complained just “on principle”–that wearing fragrance is like smoking, and is politically incorrect. Then she’d go in the lunch room to microwave her macrobiotic lunch, that made the whole place smell like seaweed and vomit in the jungle sun. Plus, she herself seemed to bathe only very rarely–on principle, no doubt–and applied absolutely nothing to her armpits. There were literally wavy lines in the air above here cubicle. ---
**Author:** ![missbunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/76d3ee/32.png) [@missbunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missbunny)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2006, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-co-workers-perfume-is-killing-me/345930/9 "2006-02-24T17:45:23Z")
BMalion: it might not be you giving off Ashtray fumes - but other people who smoke cigarettes. I would ask management to inform ALL employees that anything that causes strong smells or is disruptive to co-workers (perfumes, cigarette molecules, smelly lunches, lack of personal hygiene, loud phone coversations, loud computer volume) should be avoided; and then make individual requests to the people who can’t get the general message. ---
**Author:** ![Amazon\_Floozy\_Goddess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/779978/32.png) [@Amazon\_Floozy\_Goddess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amazon_Floozy_Goddess)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2006, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-co-workers-perfume-is-killing-me/345930/10 "2006-02-24T18:06:57Z")
Maybe if everyone sent her an email politely telling her that she smelled too strong, she might get the message? The perfume-showerers are awful. Once I was sitting behind a guy on the bus who smelled like he’d spilled a bottle of Old Spice all over himself. I already don’t like Old Spice so this was even worse. I felt increasingly nauseous during the 20 minute ride, which felt like 2 hours. If the bus hadn’t been packed I would have moved, but from the looks on other people’s faces it wouldn’t have mattered where you were on the bus. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2006, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-co-workers-perfume-is-killing-me/345930/11 "2006-02-24T18:26:28Z")
Direct approach (recommended): “You know, I really don’t want to offend you, but your perfume is triggering migraines. Would you mind toning it down in the future? I’d really, really appreciate it.” (This can be followed by a small gift when she complies.) Indirect approach: “Boss, either that woman’s perfume or me have to go. Choose one.” Passive/aggressive approach: (loudly) “Holy crap! Who’s doused themselves in Chanel no. 5? Is there any oxygen left in the room cause I’m getting lightheaded.” ---
**Author:** ![Mindfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindfield/32/19759_2.png) [@Mindfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mindfield)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2006, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-co-workers-perfume-is-killing-me/345930/12 "2006-02-24T18:33:04Z")
I hate it when I pass someone that wears excessive perfume or cologne. I swear I ran across a few that wore so much of a scent that was so spicy that the very air around them shimmered and the nearby insects instantly keeled over from the alcohol vapors. As for me, I tried to hold my breath, lest I singe my nose hairs or develop cirrhosis. Fortunately I’ve never had to actually work with such a pungent individual. If I did however, one of the first things I’d probably say would be “Whoa – did the forecast call for scattered _Anais Anais_ this morning?” But I tend to be a little sarcastic that way. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2006, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-co-workers-perfume-is-killing-me/345930/13 "2006-02-24T18:37:07Z")
> [@lissener](#): > > There were literally wavy lines in the air above here cubicle. Did you take a picture of them? ---
**Author:** ![Indygrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@Indygrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indygrrl)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2006, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-co-workers-perfume-is-killing-me/345930/14 "2006-02-24T18:44:02Z")
I feel your pain. It truly sucks to be next to someone who is radiating bad perfume. Occasionally someone in spinning class comes in and reeks up the room with perfume, while working out no less. Ick. It makes it hard to breathe. Perfume can be wonderful, just avoid the cheap shit and don’t overdo it. ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2006, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-co-workers-perfume-is-killing-me/345930/15 "2006-02-24T18:46:12Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > Did you take a picture of them? I tried, but the smell broke my camera. Literally. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2006, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-co-workers-perfume-is-killing-me/345930/16 "2006-02-24T18:53:25Z")
Just sneeze whenever she passes, or you pass her. After a day or two, ask her what she wears, nod, and say you think you might be allergic to it. Well, that’s what happens to me with certain perfumes. ---
**Author:** ![Ponder\_Stibbons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponder_stibbons/32/343_2.png) [@Ponder\_Stibbons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponder_Stibbons)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2006, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-co-workers-perfume-is-killing-me/345930/17 "2006-02-24T18:56:32Z")
**BMalion** , perhaps you should switch to a diet of beer, beans, and brocolli. And then visit her cube often. 😉 > [@lissener](#): > > I tried, but the smell broke my camera. Literally. You are a very silly fellow. If I had a fish, I would slap you with it. Well, if you were nearby and I had a fish, I would slap you with it. Well, if it wasn’t too smelly of a fish, and you were nearby … Wait, I’ll come in again. ---
**Author:** ![Missy2U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2006, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-co-workers-perfume-is-killing-me/345930/18 "2006-02-24T19:08:57Z")
I, too, feel your pain. I had the same problem over here at my cube farm - and it was a good friend of mine. What worked for me was asking her, “Did you start wearing a new perfume? The only reason I’m asking is I think I’m allergic to it - I’m really sorry!” and she stopped. She then tried another one, but then I was able to get her the hint that it was ANY strong smelling perfume. The direct approach DOES work, and it can be handled gently. Or you could just vomit in her lap, like **Giant\_Spongess** suggested. Yesterday at the bar, one of the pseudo-wannabe-regulars came in reeking of cheap perfume - we all just opened the front and back doors and were generally ignorant assholes about it. But we all think she’s a bitch, so it was all good. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2006, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-co-workers-perfume-is-killing-me/345930/19 "2006-02-24T19:22:10Z")
Update: My boss and supervisor called me into the off to give me the major smack-down. Apparently I’m acting like a drama-queen. I probubly over-reacted I admit, but dang, my head hurts from the aroma. The boss said that he’d speak to her about it but told me I was causing a bigger problem because I was making too much noise about it. Told me to turn off my fan. While typing this my sinus cavity feels like I’m breathing in amonia fumes and I’m coughing. I suppose i could throw a chair through the window, but it’s winter and we’re on the 7th floor. Maybe it’s just me. ---
**Author:** ![PinkMarabou](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ec9cab/32.png) [@PinkMarabou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PinkMarabou)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2006, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-co-workers-perfume-is-killing-me/345930/20 "2006-02-24T19:26:14Z")
[Try this.](http://youhavebo.com/) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-co-workers-perfume-is-killing-me/345930.md?page=2)