How to deal with smelly graduate college students.

[Two Words]

This is kind of an awkward topic, but I feel like I'm not in the wrong here. I begin taking graduate courses at my university during the Fall semester. At my college, graduate courses are overwhelmingly taken by international students, especially from India. I don't know a lot about Indian culture, but it seems like it is fairly common for people from India to not wear deodorant. I really don't know the reason why, but there are many people from India here that don't wear deodorant. And I've heard from people that their general view is that deodorant is unnecessary.

Well, from what I can tell, they smell just as bad as anybody else not wearing deodorant. I have had classes that immediately followed after a grad course, and the classroom completely reeks after all of the grad students leave. In some ways, this feels like a land mine of a racial issue. But honestly, I feel like I'm just saying they stink just like anybody else stinks when they don't wear deodorant. I stink when I don't wear it, so I wear it. If you are constantly having their bad odor pushed up your nose, is it crossing the line to call them out on their bad odor? I feel like maybe if more people just said "Hey, you stink", maybe more would use deodorant.

Have others here dealt with a similar issue?

 

[Arrogant Bastard]

Deal with it?

I mean how long are you around them on a daily basis. Yah its rude.

 

[Sub_Level]

Try to bring it up nonchalant indirectly.

"Dude it smells like curry in here lmao"

 

[shandy706]

You can't make them do what you want.

Wear a nose clamp, suck it up, or wear a sport filter mask (you may get strange looks on that one).

 

[Two Words]

Deal with it?

I mean how long are you around them on a daily basis. Yah its rude.

What does "deal with it" mean? Basic hygiene is something we all expect from one another. If I had bad breath and kept breathing it on you, would it be rude of you to tell me that my bad breath is bothering you?

You can't make them do what you want.

Wear a nose clamp, suck it up, or wear a sport filter mask (you may get strange looks on that one).

Obviously, I can't tell them what to do. It's more about candidly telling them that their lack of a deodorant is a problem to me. They're obviously free to just not do anything about it.

 

[Verelios]

Well...I wear deodorant daily but I've never really emitted any kind of odor besides when I'm working hard in the gym. What kind of smells are you talking about? Sweat?

 

[Mineshaft_Gap]

Try to bring it up nonchalant indirectly.

"Dude it smells like curry in here lmao"

Goodbye!

 

[Arrogant Bastard]

What does "deal with it" mean? Basic hygiene is something we all expect from one another. If I had bad breath and kept breathing it on you, would it be rude of you to tell me that my bad breath is bothering you?

It is your perception of basic hygiene, apparently it isn't theirs? From what I understand it also has a great deal to do with food choices. I don't know it just comes across as pretty judgmental.

 

[cr0w]

Just carry some Vicks Vap-o-Rub around with you and dab some under your nostrils if it's that bad. That's pretty much all you can do if you don't want to cause an issue.

 

[cyborgnumberblue]

What does "deal with it" mean? Basic hygiene is something we all expect from one another. If I had bad breath and kept breathing it on you, would it be rude of you to tell me that my bad breath is bothering you?

Deal with it by not being an ethnocentric child and realizing that tolerance of another culture may mean uncomfortable smells.

 

[Arrogant Bastard]

Deal with it by not being an ethnocentric child and realizing that tolerance of another culture may mean uncomfortable smells.

Nod.

 

[cbrun44]

One of my roommates my junior year was from Turkey. One of the best people I have ever met but damn, he smelled like what I would imagine Napalm smells like. I could literally feel the smell. Nothing you can do but get used to it. It's ok.

 

[devilhawk]

I remember a slightly different issue in my grad school days. This one dude from North Africa must have literally showered in cologne each morning. It wasn't bad smelling cologne, he just needed to go down to a spray or two and not the entire bottle each day.

Luckily, it was slyly dealt with as we did work with mice and rats where fragrances could influence behavior of the animals.

 

[Two Words]

Deal with it by not being an ethnocentric child and realizing that tolerance of another culture may mean uncomfortable smells.

This smells like cultural relativism. Why is it okay just because it is their culture? Being their culture doesn't give it immunity.

 

[Caddywompus]

Lite one of these bad boys up then put VicK' Vapor Rub up your nose when you have to step away from your desk.

 

[Arrogant Bastard]

This smells like cultural relativism. Why is it okay just because it is their culture? Being their culture doesn't give it immunity.

Fine man, you do you, tell em their smelly. I mean it seems like you have already figured out what you want to do.

 

[Two Words]

Fine man, you do you, tell em their smelly. I mean it seems like you have already figured out what you want to do.

I'm looking for input. But input like "stop being a child and just deal with it" isn't really gonna change my view.

 

[FunkyMunkey]

Deal with it by not being an ethnocentric child and realizing that tolerance of another culture may mean uncomfortable smells.

right and when i blow my (non-existent) vape in your face and say it's just water vapor you should just shut the fuck up right?

 

[Crimsonlink]

You are paying for that class, you should voice your complaints. As a South East Asian student, I know just what you mean about people that are taking classes as international students and not wearing basic hygienic products or even brushing their teeth!

Just mention it to them or sit far enough away to where you won't be bothered by the smell.

 

[cyborgnumberblue]

This smells like cultural relativism. Why is it okay just because it is their culture? Being their culture doesn't give it immunity.

If that's how you feel about it, why even make a thread? Go ahead and tell them that they as Indian people smell bad and should use deodorant because it's a problem for you, and this is YOUR country and YOUR University, culture be damned.

Good luck to you.

 

[cr0w]

I'm looking for input. But input like "stop being a child and just deal with it" isn't really gonna change my view.

But that's pretty much your only recourse here.

 

[Andrew Korenchkin]

Deal with me!!!!!

 

[Arrogant Bastard]

right and when i blow my (non-existent) vape in your face and say it's just water vapor you should just shut the fuck up right?

You honestly don't see the difference between vaping in a class and someone not wearing deodorant?

 

[Two Words]

If that's how you feel about it, why even make a thread? Go ahead and tell them that they as Indian people smell bad and should use deodorant because it's a problem for you, and this is YOUR country and YOUR University, culture be damned.

Good luck to you.

Do you honestly expect any real discussion from me when all you have to say is "Stop being a child and deal with it"?

 

[Subpar Spatula]

So OP already knows what to do (bring it up with them or faculty) but hasn't yet?

I'm so confused as to what we should be saying.

Leave a passive aggressive note?

 

[Gabriel_Logan]

Deal with it by not being an ethnocentric child and realizing that tolerance of another culture may mean uncomfortable smells.

God damn Colonialism, pressuring people into not smelling like shit.

 

[StriKeVillain]

I see many folks typing up witty responses to this thread and smartly deleting them.

 

[Two Words]

You honestly don't see the difference between vaping in a class and someone not wearing deodorant?

Yeah, not wearing deodorant is much worse. Vaping just seems worse because you can visibly see it.

 

[cyborgnumberblue]

right and when i blow my (non-existent) vape in your face and say it's just water vapor you should just shut the fuck up right?

No, I'd put you in the ground, but not being culturally aware of deodorant and doing an action like blowing smoke, or vapor, or anything else in a person's face, which is a pretty dick move in any culture are separate things.

 

[Metalingus5150]

Bring anyone you think stinks some deodorant and see how that works out. lol

 

[Arrogant Bastard]

Yeah, not wearing deodorant is much worse. Vaping just seems worse because you can visibly see it.

Again, you have clearly made up your mind. Why are you asking people?

 

[Two Words]

So OP already knows what to do (bring it up with them or faculty) but hasn't yet?

I'm so confused as to what we should be saying.

Leave a passive aggressive note?

OP clearly states that I am starting these grad classes next semester.

 

[Air Zombie Meat]

Yeah, not wearing deodorant is much worse. Vaping just seems worse because you can visibly see it.

Theres your solution then. Start vaping in class.

 

[cyborgnumberblue]

Do you honestly expect any real discussion from me when all you have to say is "Stop being a child and deal with it"?

I had a bit more to say than that. Do what you want, maybe it will work.

 

[Two Words]

Again, you have clearly made up your mind. Why are you asking people?

I can make a thread and ask a question about something that I have some conviction behind. Just because I make this thread doesn't mean I can't think not wearing deodorant is worse than vaping. Just because I made this thread doesn't mean I have to take comments like mentioned above seriously.

 

[CrocMother]

I don't really know anything that you could do. Telling an entire room of people that they smell usually isn't productive.

Sorry, seems like a crummy situation.

 

[Subpar Spatula]

OP clearly states that I am starting these grad classes next semester.

OK.

You have identified the problem.

You know what to do.

Why aren't you doing it?

 

[L4DANathan]

As much as some people on this site will complain, you're not in the wrong, OP. I would say try to tell them indirectly, like have the professor talk to them about it. Failing that, try sitting as far away as possible, bring an air freshener of some kind to class, or straight up tell them (in that order).

 

[FunkyMunkey]

You honestly don't see the difference between vaping in a class and someone not wearing deodorant?

both are unwanted and easily preventable smells, and i'd argue the vape would smell better.

a person's culture and self identity are important sure, but when they are impeding on others and actually making them sick, i'd argue a little social decency would be in order.

Theres your solution then. Start vaping in class.

exactly. grab a sulfur or other joke scent and just vape away and make sure to be condescending to others when they complain

 

[bachikarn]

I'm pretty sure you just get used to the smell and since most people in India don't use deodorant (maybe they do now), they don't notice the smell.

You could try politely telling them that using deodorant is a cultural norm in America. They might be clueless. My dad is from India, and someone told him he needed to start using deodorant when he first moved here in the 70s.

 

[Alienfan]

Don't go to lectures. Most universities stream the content, or upload the PowerPoints afterwards

 

[Two Words]

OK.

You have identified the problem.

You know what to do.

Why aren't you doing it?

My class begins in the Fall and it is May......What exactly should I be doing right now?

 

[RecRoulette]

My class begins in the Fall and it is May......What exactly should I be doing right now?

Dwell on it for three months. Every day think about it.

 

[RustyNails]

Wait, you're saying you're about to begin your graduate classes soon, and they are (to your knowledge) packed with Indian students. You're concerned because it seems like Indian people are smelly in your view, and the class that's after the grad class smells.

Maybe wait till your grad class starts before making this thread?

 

[Alienfan]

If that's how you feel about it, why even make a thread? Go ahead and tell them that they as Indian people smell bad and should use deodorant because it's a problem for you, and this is YOUR country and YOUR University, culture be damned.

Good luck to you.

Respecting reasonable norms of the country you in is basic human decency.

 

[Onemic]

I've been in the same situation and there's nothing you can do really, unless you wanna risk sounding like a dick(especially if it's most of the class). The best course of action is just to breathe through your mouth and bear it tbh.....Or just get used to dat BO smell.

EDIT: You arent actually taking a class with these students right now? How do you know they smell?

 

[Two Words]

Wait, you're saying you're about to begin your graduate classes soon, and they are (to your knowledge) packed with Indian students. You're concerned because it seems like Indian people are smelly in your view, and the class that's after the grad class smells.

Maybe wait till your grad class starts before making this thread?

I've gone to this university for 3 years. I've been around plenty of the kinds of students I am talking about. I've heard stories about it from plenty of other friends who are either currently in grad school or have already graduated by now. This isn't some what-if situation.

 

[ThisGuy]

Find a target, someone weak looking in case you got to rumble. Walk by them and loudly proclaim 'Hot damn! You smell fucking terrible. Put some deodorant under those hand cannons, they're loose as fuck.' People around them will feel self conscious and bam! Your room will reek of the blessed stars and stripes just as it should.

🙏

 

[cyborgnumberblue]

Respecting reasonable norms of the country you in is basic human decency.

Like telling a foreign group of people that their combined scent is a personal problem to you.

 

[Arrogant Bastard]

I've gone to this university for 3 years. I've been around plenty of the kinds of students I am talking about. I've heard stories about it from plenty of other friends who are either currently in grad school or have already graduated by now. This isn't some what-if situation.

How did those friends deal with the situation?