Smelling Problem.

[Tameshigiri]

What You Should Do ?

As A Dojo Owner Wen One Of Your Students Dosen't Smell Good ?

Is A Strong Odor.

Let Me Clarify: Is Not Like Didn't Take A Shower Or Is Not A Clean Person . Smell Like He Use Some Oils, Or Something Strong, Looks Like The Smell Is Very Commun In His Country...but Very Bad For Us.

I Don't Want To Ofend Him...also I Think Can Be Some Religion Belives.

Any Help Will Be Apreciated.

Osu-en2

[seienchin]

Tameshigiri - that is a tough one.

The way I would approach this is to have a general rule of no cosmetic products at all when in do-gi. Educate the whole class about this - no makeup, no perfume, no aftershave etc. Then, if he doesn't change his use of this oil/substance in response to the general approach, you have a direct way of raising it with him - "I notice that you are still wearing something that has a strong aroma - do you remember our "no cosmetics or perfumes policy".

This strongly minimises the risk of offending him, and makes certain that it won't be interpreted as religious opression.

[Spirit]

I would add,
find out if it IS what you THINK it is.
you know the old say when one assumes?!?

Good mmmm, I can think of anything to say on this one.
Just use your head think it out before acting

[Tameshigiri]

Thanks for your Repost.

It is a big problem, most when the smell is very commun in people form his country, I'm not even sure if is the food...

OSU.

[Martin H]

I agree with seienshin.

Strong smells are a problem for those with allergies. So it might be your solution.
But that works only if it some kind of perfume/scented oil/aftershave or whatever. If it is the result of a diet, there might be a problem.

[powerof0ne]

I once trained with someone in Muay thai that rarely washed his clothes or showered. His excuse was not having a washer and dryer...I was going to live at my gym and he almost was too, I told my instructor at the time if he does, I won't. Seriously, I would just talk to him/her privately. It's better to offend one person then having everyone else upset over it. Like someone else said, approach him about possibly wearing some aftershave/cologne/etc.
This person smelled like if I was out in the field for a few weeks without no change of clothes(which I have, unfortunately).

[supergroup7]

That is a difficult problem! I would say the best solution is communication. The student may not be aware that he/she is giving off this odor. I would take them aside privately, and mention that it exists, and work together for a solution.

[hasbeen]

i agree with supergroup7

[ksan]

I would emphasize the rules of clean dogi`s and clean pads and gloves a few times (like 3x a session for a week) if it still persists i would talk to the student(s) that smell bad in private when none else is there.

Religion is a non-argument here,... that should have been checked at the door (in any dojo) in my honest opinion.

Osu

[Tameshigiri]

Thanks all.

I see what can I do about it.

Regards.

[vapor]

Let us know how you choose to handle it, and how it solves the issue.

vapor

[bushido spirit]

loool what a a problem!!! , cant agree more with seienchin

[Tameshigiri]

I'm working on it.

I let you know latter.

Thanks for your time and help.

OSU.

[Mcspike]

You could try hanging one of those pine scented car air fresheners around his neck.

[Brad]

Thats a hard one we use to have a guy in the old dojo i use to train at that would always touch a scratch his self even when you were trying to help him with Kata or something. In the end hes was ask to not do that if possible or he would have to leave. Because of our younger students there. This guy was pretty bad and he was about 24 years old to so really he should have known better.