Re: Body Odor

I think some new foreigners just struggle to find good deodorant in China

Or at all. I usually stock up on deodorant in the summer months, as many places in China stop selling it in the cold season because according to one local, "no one sweats when it's cold."

partially due to the fact that a lot of smelly local people don't wear it.

There's definitely truth to this. I've encountered locals who have literally never heard of deodorant (which isn't quite so surprising; I've yet to see any Chinese brand deodorant anywhere). Most would assume I was talking about perfume, then I'd have to explain that it's like perfume but primarily for your armpits and not as pricey =/

Re: Body Odor

There is deodorant to be found. Back when I was in China there were foreign chain stores like Watson's in some places. Of course, I wouldn't bring it up directly with her. Maybe gift her with a basket full of expensive soap on her birthday? How about making a joke yourself about your own body odor even if you don't have any? Maybe be like, "Man, I forgot to shower a couple days back and I smell. But, I bought some extra soap. Here you want some?" Maybe say to her how you learned to control it by showering every day, changing clothes on the same day if you sweat, and buying decent soap (even China has places that sell hand made, organic or at least near organic ones now). I hope you get this issue resolved. I know it can be a hassle if you have to put up with this every day, but taking some form of action is better than none. For me, being a little giving is enough for most people to take the hint and take my advice seriously. Thank you for putting in the time to write this, I wish you the best of luck!

Re: Body Odor

No, you should not just run above someone's head and report them to management over a body odor problem out of the blue. Not only is that a very unfair thing to do to your co-worker, but it is going to negatively effect your working relationship. If it's as big of a problem as you seem to think it is, management will get a whiff of it themselves. If not, then you shouldn't be the person throwing everyone in the office under the bus in order to build your own cozy little work environment. It's just such a petty thing to go around getting co-workers in trouble for.

Frankly, BO is a rough thing in China--maybe this is different where other people are, but in my city, there's not a stick of deodorant to be found. Thankfully, not a problem for me--showering regularly does the trick. Other's didn't luck out with the body chemistry thing...it's not their fault.

Re: Body Odor

I think some new foreigners just struggle to find good deodorant in China, partially due to the fact that a lot of smelly local people don't wear it. I've heard horror stories of men thinking it is a girly thing and those stories might be partially true, as I usually tend to find deodorant next to the sanitary towels in the supermarket.