Society Debate: Would you tell your friend they stink?

It’s not that easyThey say a true friend is one who is completely honest. Whereas that may be true, did anyone take the time to think that true friends also don’t want to hurt your feelings or crush your ego by simple honesty?Yes, honesty is the best policy but when it comes to people you care about it becomes a problem.

Thursday, April 28, 2011
By Rachel Garuka

It’s not that easy

They say a true friend is one who is completely honest. Whereas that may be true, did anyone take the time to think that true friends also don’t want to hurt your feelings or crush your ego by simple honesty?

Yes, honesty is the best policy but when it comes to people you care about it becomes a problem. Telling a lie rather than hurt someone’s feelings seems like a much better way to go because some people appreciate honesty and others simply don’t.

We all have that pal of ours that we love to bits but have a problem that you wish you could correct but cannot. There are other ways of trying to let them know other than being blunt and risk being labeled rude and offensive.

Bad breath is something no one fancies but how do you tell your friend that an animal must have died in their mouth? You don’t! Just have gum on you every time and insist that they chew some.

If you have to get every flavor then so be it, just incase they claim not to like the mint you usually carry around.

If it’s a problem with the underarms why not buy two deodorants and claim there was a very good promotion down at the store, one for you and one for the guilty party. Look as excited as you’ve never been your whole life so they won’t suspect a thing!

Things like a body odor gone wrong are not as simple to be honest with as say, a speck in the eye or a bean cover on the tooth!  You shouldn’t use harsh words as they would get hurt by them so be tactful and do it in a nicer way.

Just start talking about personal hygiene and say how important it is to shower daily and wear fresh clothes afterwards. Light might just shine your way and send a message across without you having to tell it as it is.

Yes, if the situation were reversed we would want our friends to be as open about these things as much as possible but if we could just be honest with ourselves here, sometimes know is more painful that not knowing because what we don’t know won’t hurt us.

If you can get your pal to smell better without actually telling her she’s a stinker that would be nice.  Even though I’m a coward for not being brave enough to inform you of your problem, I’m at least friend enough to be sensitive and do things in a way that won’t offend you.

Stock their bathroom cabinets with as many roll-ons or spray deodorants make sure they never run out of soap or toothpaste. You could even lie and tell them mint sweets or gum will keep them sharp the whole day!

You could be honest, but if the problem is something even the strongest deodorant can’t fix, what next? They will still smell bad and they will be deeply embarrassed that everyone else knows so at least give them one less thing to worry about!

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