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How do you tell someone he/she has a bad breath?

"Dude, your breath is rank! As a friend I suggest you do something about it. Mints, gum, brushing after every meal, I don't know what would work best for you, but something needs to be done."

Remember, for some people bad breath can be a medical condition and they need to seek professional support for treatment options. But, if your friend just has bad hygiene then just be straight with them. That's what friends are for. 🙂

Edit: It's kinda funny your asking this question with what you've put in your signature line.
 
Offer gum and/or breath mints. When someone does this to me, I assume it might be because my breath smells that day or something.
 
"Hey, man. I just got this great new gum. You should try it." or some variation thereof.
 
  • Gag slightly when he or she begins to speak.
  • Wear a swine flu mask in their presence.
  • Start telling "Your breath is so stank..." jokes.
 
Do not offer mints/gum. Although they will get the hint, every time in the future they are innocently offered minty products they will assume the worst. Subtlety can lead to over-analyzation and neuroticism.

Signal-11 said:
Offer gum and/or breath mints. When someone does this to me, I assume it might be because my breath smells that day or something.
Click to expand...

^ Exhibit A. Case in point.

Be frank with them, but not too serious. And have a new subject to change to so it doesn't get awkward.
 
Whack A Mac said:
Do not offer mints/gum. Although they will get the hint, every time in the future they are innocently offered minty products they will assume the worst. Subtlety can lead to over-analyzation and neuroticism.

^ Exhibit A. Case in point.

Be frank with them, but not too serious. And have a new subject to change to so it doesn't get awkward.
Click to expand...

Meh, I don't mind. I've never been a guy who keeps regular hours so sometimes, I forget to brush my teeth. So when someone offers me breath mints or gum, I just flat out ask, "Is that your way of telling me my breath smells? It's okay if is."
 
Signal-11 said:
Meh, I don't mind. I've never been a guy who keeps regular hours so sometimes, I forget to brush my teeth. So when someone offers me breath mints or gum, I just flat out ask, "Is that your way of telling me my breath smells? It's okay if is."
Click to expand...

So it still comes down to telling and not alluding to, hinting or suggesting.
 
EMail them from a secret account?

I have a work friend do this to another in the office and it worked.

Seems childish but I have told another friend this exact thing and to this day the person is ticked off about it.
 
If you jokingly exchange insults like I do with my friends. "You're breath stinks. Did you eat something that's rotting." Or something along those lines.

If you tip toe around the issue you miss one an opportunity of friendship. The ability to directly insult without offending.😀
 
velocityg4 said:
If you jokingly exchange insults like I do with my friends. "You're breath stinks. Did you eat something that's rotting." Or something along those lines.
Click to expand...

Yes, any light-hearted way to tell someone works fine.

A note on gum:
  • Gum does not solve the problem, which we must assume is chronic if the OP has ventured onto a messageboard to seek advice
  • Offering gum therefore can only be seen as a subtle way of insinuating that there is a problem
  • This relies on the person in question 'getting it'
  • Once they have 'got' the subtle message, they might start looking for other 'signals' in life. Is he looking at me funny? Did that guy cover his nose when I spoke to him? Why do people avoid me when I wear the color blue? etc.
  • This could lead to all sorts of problems, and as we don't know the person in question, this risk must be addressed

Tell them.
 
Whack A Mac said:
Be frank with them, but not too serious. And have a new subject to change to so it doesn't get awkward.
Click to expand...

well said. I try to be straight up with people, since that's what I'd appreciate in return. That way, also, there's no confusion.

I knew this German chap (my dad's age or better) and he had just about the worst breath you've ever experienced. People offered him mints all the time, and he never got the hint (declining the mints, even repeatedly). One day there were a few of us out somewhere and he comes out the store with a pack of gum and unwraps several pieces and puts them in his mouth, saying that he's heard people think his breath is bad. He died a few hours later of an aneurism. He was funny to be around (in small doses) and it's ironic the day he caught on was the day he died. True story.
 
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