So I'm in a non-African country with a lot of Africans. I'm african too, although I was raised elsewhere. So please excuse my ignorance

I noticed, unintentionally, that almost all of the ones that have recently arrived from Africa tend not to wear deodorant.

This habit has given black Africans a not so lovely reputation among locals here, unfortunately.

Whenever one sits next to a non-African, that person would shortly afterwards get up because the smell can be pretty overwhelming.

I don't think they realize that they have body odor. Or maybe they do but regard it as normal and not offensive.

The other day, one of them was dressed immaculatey for a job interview. I sat down with him to talk and immediately I could smell him. I know for a fact that he would never get hired smelling like that.
And sure enough, he didn't get the job. Now granted, it could have been for other reasons, but still, it would be a major hindrance.

A few days ago I was sitting next to another one while he was on a video call. He was bragging about not wearing deodorants. I couldn't believe it! He was saying that he would never do that and that he is not like that. The way he was talking was as if wearing deodrant is a disgrace.

The same one who had an interview, I was chatting with yesterday and he was telling me about certain ethnicities how they don't shower for 3 days and how they stink when you get close to them. I was screaming inside "that's you!". But I just couldn't bring myself to say anything. It's funny too that he brought it up. We were talking about race, and that's how it came up. I deduced from what he said that I don't think he realizes that he smells. Always immaculately dressed with really good clothing that are not cheap, but reeks for a block! It really defeats the purpose of looking good.

I like the guy. And I want to help him out. But I just don't want to offend him.

Thoughts?

You are a sadistic modafucking racist.

Only a thief can catch a thief. Only a deodorant user can identify another non deodorant user cos he/she too smells. That's the problem with us In this new generation. If someone had not invented the deodorant no one would be noticing another person's body odor. We can't just tolerate each other anymore unlike our forefathers. Our forefathers never used deodorant. It's wrong to generalize people in such manner.

Maybe your nose has a permanent smell you need to get raid of.

On a more serious note,get him deodorant as a gift.

Ncsamuel:
Only a thief can catch a thief. Only a deodorant user can identify another non deodorant user cos he/she too smells. That's the problem with us In this new generation. If someone had not invented the deodorant no one would be noticing another person's body odor. We can't just tolerate each other anymore unlike our forefathers. Our forefathers never used deodorant. It's wrong to generalize people in such manner.

I respect your thoughts. But I don't make the rules. And when in Rome, do as the Romans do. Otherwise you just become an outcast.

I doubt clinging to the cause of being a non deodorant user will be worth a life of hardship. Hardship of not being accepted by society, and collecting anonomity wherever you go. It's all well when you are rich and powerful enough to create trands and live on your own terms. But the people I am talking about are neither, and are here to make a living.

Can I ask you to watch this for perspective? https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1047170772004392&id=277508445637299&_rdr

Thanks for your input.

A question, if you don't mind, from an ignorant person. Just trying to learn. I take it, from your reply, you're against antiperspirants.
The body smell, is it considered, to you and others who don't wear deodorants, as a pleasurable smell or not?
Like on a scale from 1-10 where 10 is the most blissful smell and 1 the complete opposite, where would you put it? What would you compare the smell to in terms of how pleasurable, or not, it is?

C'mon guys! Just looking for advice.

Logik:
So I'm in a non-African country with a lot of Africans. I'm african too, although I was raised elsewhere. So please excuse my ignorance

I noticed, unintentionally, that almost all of the ones that have recently arrived from Africa tend not to wear deodorant.

This habit has given black Africans a not so lovely reputation among locals here, unfortunately.

Whenever one sits next to a non-African, that person would shortly afterwards get up because the smell can be pretty overwhelming.

I don't think they realize that they have body odor. Or maybe they do but regard it as normal and not offensive.

The other day, one of them was dressed immaculatey for a job interview. I sat down with him to talk and immediately I could smell him. I know for a fact that he would never get hired smelling like that.
And sure enough, he didn't get the job. Now granted, it could have been for other reasons, but still, it would be a major hindrance.

A few days ago I was sitting next to another one while he was on a video call. He was bragging about not wearing deodorants. I couldn't believe it! He was saying that he would never do that and that he is not like that. The way he was talking was as if wearing deodrant is a disgrace.

The same one who had an interview, I was chatting with yesterday and he was telling me about certain ethnicities how they don't shower for 3 days and how they stink when you get close to them. I was screaming inside "that's you!". But I just couldn't bring myself to say anything. It's funny too that he brought it up. We were talking about race, and that's how it came up. I deduced from what he said that I don't think he realizes that he smells. Always immaculately dressed with really good clothing that are not cheap, but reeks for a block! It really defeats the purpose of looking good.

I like the guy. And I want to help him out. But I just don't want to offend him.

Thoughts?

Touchy, touchy, and very uncomfortable subject, but somewhat unavoidable...especially when one has a relationship with the "offender".

You've said so much truth in this thread though.
I don't think that most people with "body odor" are even aware of it.
Same thing for "stinky breath".
Your experience has also been my experience with a myriad of foreigners (who just may not be aware or who don't see anything wrong with it because it was acceptable or normal in their countries). Perhaps that's due to unbalanced PH levels or having difficulty adjusting to new climates.
You are absoluty correct though.
That man will never get that job....as nicely groomed as he "looks".
Truth is...if you have body odor and stinky breath, you can forget it (in my country).
People may not ever say anything to you, but you will be gossiped about and won't get hired. The body odor is offensive and makes for a hostile work environment.
That means he/she better get to the store, purchase, and start wearing that deoderant. I even bet I know the group that he was talking about that "allegedly" go for days without bathing and smell.
May be true for a "few"..but not the vast majority and can be very unpleasant though.
Just as he was speaking about them, he always is being talked about.
Truth be told: NO ONE EXCEPT babies and children up to about age 5 or 6...should go without some form of deoderant.

Since you like him and want to help him (which is very admirable and the right thing), perhaps you can bring up a scenario where you bring down his defense mechanism...and speak about times where YOU personally, have had to deal with body odor. Truth be told: everybody "stinks" at times.
Be humble enough to personalize this thing.
Then somehow transition into the importance of smelling good and not wanting to offend people in the new country.
How it can affect one's smooth financial transition into society.
Bring up the type of deoderant you wear, (assuming you are a male) or suggest specic brands of male deoderants. If he doesn't get the clue, then you may have to be direct and tell him the real deal.

It will hurt this man's livelihood (in the long run), if he doesn't get rid of the body odor.
I cannot emphasize enough the importance of looking neat and smelling "fresh and clean".
People can't stand body odor in the workplace, let alone any other place.
What is acceptable in many countries, is NOT in other countries.

Hope that helps a little.

Dasani:


Touchy, touchy, and very uncomfortable subject, but somewhat unavoidable...especially when one has a relationship with the "offender".

You've said so much truth in this thread though.
I don't think that most people with "body odor" are even aware of it.
Same thing for "stinky breath".
Your experience has also been my experience with a myriad of foreigners (who just may not be aware or who don't see anything wrong with it because it was acceptable or normal in their countries). Perhaps that's due to unbalanced PH levels or having difficulty adjusting to new climates.
You are absoluty correct though.
That man will never get that job....as nicely groomed as he "looks".
Truth is...if you have body odor and stinky breath, you can forget it (in my country).
People may not ever say anything to you, but you will be gossiped about and won't get hired. The body odor is offensive and makes for a hostile work environment.
That means he/she better get to the store, purchase, and start wearing that deoderant. I even bet I know the group that he was talking about that "allegedly" go for days without bathing and smell.
May be true for a "few"..but not the vast majority and can be very unpleasant though.
Just as he was speaking about them, he always is being talked about.
Truth be told: NO ONE EXCEPT babies and children up to about age 5 or 6...should go without some form of deoderant.

Since you like him and want to help him (which is very admirable and the right thing), perhaps you can bring up a scenario where you bring down his defense mechanism...and speak about times where YOU personally, have had to deal with body odor. Truth be told: everybody "stinks" at times.
Be humble enough to personalize this thing.
Then somehow transition into the importance of smelling good and not wanting to offend people in the new country.
How it can affect one's smooth financial transition into society.
Bring up the type of deoderant you wear, (assuming you are a male) or suggest specic brands of male deoderants. If he doesn't get the clue, then you may have to be direct and tell him the real deal.

It will hurt this man's livelihood (in the long run), if he doesn't get rid of the body odor.
I cannot emphasize enough the importance of looking neat and smelling "fresh and clean".
People can't stand body odor in the workplace, let alone any other place.
What is acceptable in many countries, is NOT in other countries.

Hope that helps a little.

That helps a lot actually. Thank you very much Dasani. Don't really know if I can pull it off though. Trying to guage the reaction I would get.