OK, serious question...
Is there a way for me to address the issue of people using strongly scented perfumes, lotions, etc. in this office without seeming like a pissy little whiner?
Because the fabric softener scent is so strong it's leaving me with burning eyes and a stuffy nose, and there's a community chaplain who comes in once a week whose perfume is nearly as bad. I don't know why it's bugging me so much. I didn't used to be this sensitive, and I don't want to be a whiny little brat about it. But I'm physically uncomfortable, and I keep hoping the pager will start going off so she'll have to leave and I can get some unscented air.
If it's fabric softener, then setting a policy about perfume & lotion isn't going to solve the problem. Chaplain in question might not even be aware the scent is so strong.
Well, if the fabric softener is perfumed, wouldn't that be included?
Is there a way for me to address the issue of people using strongly scented perfumes, lotions, etc. in this office without seeming like a pissy little whiner?
Susan, what I do (because I'm super-sensitive) is make a general announcement to the office along the lines of, "I know it sounds awful, but I am incredibly sensitive to strong scents and find myself feeling ill if I'm exposed to them too long. I would greatly appreciate it if we could try to make the office as scent-free as possible."
Yeah, that's the depressing part. I'm not sure how I can ask someone to not use fabric softener sheets, but it's the only scent I can think of that doesn't just annoy me, but gives me this strong physical reaction.
I just mean, I wouldn't think about it, if I were in the position myself. I would think, "She doesn't want perfume & cologne. But I don't wear perfume or cologne, so the problem must not be me." And then I would ignore it and go happily along my way wearing my fabric softened clothes.
Yeah, that's the depressing part. I'm not sure how I can ask someone to not use fabric softener sheets, but it's the only scent I can think of that doesn't just annoy me, but gives me this strong physical reaction.
They have non-perfumed fabric softener sheets, don't they?
I don't use fabric softener....
My reaction to the Jedi church is, predictably, "Why haven't I started my own damn cult religion?
The Cult of the Cupcake Goth: Be nice, be original and don't dress like the Crow.
The fabric softener is probably the evil Bounce. Everyone I know with fragrance allergies is sent into spasms by it. I have to come inside if the neighbors are using it. In a lifetime of working, I've never figured out how to address my reaction to fairly ordinary fragrances. I usually just take more antihistamines, but I'm very conflict avoidy.
