How to say “your perfume is too strong” professionally
Why it can fall flat
“your perfume is too strong”
Nothing in “your perfume is too strong” says what you need, so it reads as a judgment of the person's taste and can feel embarrassing. A small change that lets you work comfortably nearby is what you actually need to ask for.
Say this instead
- 01
Hey, sorry if this is a bit awkward, but the scent of your perfume is quite strong for me at the next desk. Could you use just a spritz on office days?
Coworker · Chat
Friendly peers at the next desk will take this well, since it names your own reaction and asks for one small change.
- 02
Quick request: could you go lighter on the perfume at work? Strong scents carry in a shared office, and I'd like everyone to be comfortable.
Someone you manage · Chat
Managers can use this direct, calm line because it frames the issue as a shared space instead of a flaw in the person.
- 03
Hi Tamara, for Thursday's workshop we're aiming for a low-scent room. Could you skip perfume or cologne that day? It helps people who find strong scents hard to be around. Thanks, Toni
Client · Email
Before an in-person meeting, this sets a room-wide expectation so the client is not singled out.
- 04
Hi Mark, a strong scent near my desk is making it hard to concentrate. I'd rather not make things awkward. Could you advise on how best to raise it with the person?
Boss · Email
Senior colleagues or a recurring problem call for this one, because you get guidance before speaking to the person.
- 05
Hi Ms. Grewal, a small request before tomorrow's fitting: could you leave the perfume off? Strong scents are hard to work around in our small studio. Thanks!
Customer · SMS
Ahead of an appointment, this brief and polite text ties the request to the space instead of the customer's taste.
- 06
Hi Jo, this is a bit awkward to raise, but I'm sensitive to strong scents and I notice yours quite a lot in meetings. Would you mind saving it for evenings? Thanks, Ali
Coworker · Email
A written request lets the person read it privately and answer in their own time, which keeps the pressure low.
- 07
Hey Connor, before tomorrow's cab to the offsite: could you give the cologne a miss? Scents feel much stronger to me in a small car.
Coworker · SMS
Shared travel gives you a clear, neutral reason to ask, since the small space makes scents feel stronger.
Examples
Hi Aaliyah, Thanks for all your help on the launch. One small thing: I find strong scents hard to work near, and your perfume comes through quite a lot at the next desk. I'd really appreciate it if you could go a bit lighter on it at work. Thanks, Rohan
Hi Aaliyah, small request: the scent of your perfume is quite strong for me at the next desk. Could you try a lighter hand with it on office days? Thanks!
What to avoid
- Don't raise it in front of others or in a group message.
- Saying it smells bad or guessing at hygiene or health reasons turns a small request into an insult.
- Claiming that everyone is complaining backfires unless it is true and you can say so.
- Hinting or joking about it leaves the person unsure what you want, so make a clear request.
- Piling several complaints into the same message buries the one request you care about.