Like Breanne says, it's probably best if it makes you that sick to go ahead and tell them; speak to them (gently, gently, quietly, quietly - so as not to offend them) telling them that you're doing so well in your quit but that you are becoming more and more sensitized to smells and would they mind standing a little further away from you when they drop by for a chat... no need to mention that it makes you want to barf but that you're trying hard, really hard, to avoid "triggers" and that the smell of their smoke on their clothes is a very strong trigger for you...
In my mind there's no substitute for communication in a situation like that... not so sure I'd be so 'gentle' about it as I describe - I'd be more inclined to rear away in a pantomime of "disgust" and ask if I had "smelt like that when I was smoking?" It's definitely okay to tell smokers that you're finding it hard to stay quit with all that smokey aroma around... it's true, isn't it??
Patrick
My Milage:
My Quit Date: 1/18/2008 Smoke-Free Days: 140 Cigarettes Not Smoked: 3,500 Amount Saved: $1,575.00 Life Gained: Days: 26 Hrs: 2 Mins: 28 Seconds: 10
You didn't mention if you REALLY liked any of these people, or if you were just smoking acquaintences??
You could become one of those "reformed smokers" that we all used to dread coming into contact with! Preaching to them about quitting, etc... This way they wouldn't be offended that you think they smell, they'd just find you annoying and stop hanging around. You can also not look at them and keep working.
If you really like them - that's tough, like Stormy said - we all used to smell like that, and our friends never said anything! I really like the candy dish idea! You can get a bag of mixed stuff (like halloween candy) fairly cheap, something for everyone.
Not only did we all smell, but we all knew we did, and who wouldn't have tossed a mint in their mouth if they had one? I used to carry a piece of gum outside with me to pop in my mouth before I came back in.
If none of that works and you really like these people visiting, figure out when they'll be coming, spray some air freshener (or maybe a candle) just before they get there and just sit back from them a bit and deal with it till they leave, sorry.
My Milage:
My Quit Date: 5/25/2008 Smoke-Free Days: 12 Cigarettes Not Smoked: 240 Amount Saved: $34.80 Life Gained: Days: 1 Hrs: 4 Mins: 49 Seconds: 7
Hi Cassy. Any chance they could hang out with you BEFORE they go out for their smoke? As an added bonus, if you keep them at your desk long enough, they might miss most of their break and not have time for a smoke!! hee hee
My Milage:
My Quit Date: 1/3/2008 Smoke-Free Days: 154 Cigarettes Not Smoked: 3,080 Amount Saved: $1,170.40 Life Gained: Days: 16 Hrs: 8 Mins: 48 Seconds: 59
Perhaps try being honest with your co-worker. Let them know that you are quitting smoking, and that now that you have quit you are highly sensitive to the smell, and that it can be a trigger for you. If you say that to them, maybe then they will think to have a mint after they smoke, and you could even go to the dollar store and pick up a bad of mints and leave them on your desk. It could be beneficial to both you and them, as they could help themselves, and it would give you something to occupy your hands and mouth if you feel a craving coming on.
Members, do you have any other suggestions or experiences with the same situation that you can share?
One approach you could take would be to drop hints. Maybe say something like since quitting, you realize now how bad you used to reek of cigarettes and you can now smell cigarettes from a mile away, and how repulsive you find the smell. Maybe they'll catch on?
My Milage:
My Quit Date: 7/17/2006 Smoke-Free Days: 689 Cigarettes Not Smoked: 5,512 Amount Saved: $1,072.08 Life Gained: Days: 77 Hrs: 12 Mins: 5 Seconds: 40
I don't know how you would handle it, all I know if I feel the same way, and think about all the non smoking friends I used to go talke to after having one and they never said a word to me...I feel bad. Yuck.
Kelly
My Milage:
My Quit Date: 12/6/2007 Smoke-Free Days: 182 Cigarettes Not Smoked: 5,460 Amount Saved: $682.50 Life Gained: Days: 14 Hrs: 20 Mins: 5 Seconds: 50
I really don`t know how to deal with this at work, I was hoping maybe someone can help me. My biggest problem at work is when one of my co-workers goes out for a smoke, and then decides to hang out with me after they come in. Oh my god they stink so bad it makes me want to get sick. I can`t believe how bad that smell is.
So my question is how do I deal with this without telling them how bad they stink. Or do I have to put up with that horrible smell?
My Milage:
My Quit Date: 5/13/2008 Smoke-Free Days: 23 Cigarettes Not Smoked: 276 Amount Saved: $274.85 Life Gained: Days: 2 Hrs: 5 Mins: 46 Seconds: 29
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