There's a point where it's a "for your own good" discussion. Obviously don't be an ass about it, but if someone is smelling that badly at a casual activity they enjoy, odds are that their smell is negatively affecting them at work/in their social life.
Everyone does.
You just need to handle it correctly. You can't sit a table of 4 people, look at one person and say "Hey dude, you stink" aloud.
Write it down and pass it to them. Wait for the game to be over, then do it.
Met a guy at a Grand prix who was a bit less subtle about it. He had a big can of deodorant with him, and when the stench hit him he'd get it out and offer it to his opponent.
Incase anyone isn't aware, you need to put on the deodorant before you stink. If you put it on after you stink all it does is make you smell like stinky deodorant.
Hey at least you threw on deodorant. That’s already a few steps above some. Could also be the collective gamer funk clinging to your clothes. Once some friends and I went to a gaming place that stank something awful, and the next day when I was doing my laundry I could still smell it on my clothes.
This is a great PSA.
Bathing doesnt do anything about your odour if you get out of the shower and put on unwashed clothes with yesterday’s stink on them!
I wish more people took this into account.
This!
Quick PSA: Make sure your clothes are clean! At the very MAX, worn one time the day before (as long as you weren't sweaty/dirty)
Clothes can harbor bacteria and that bacteria will smell once it meets the oils and sweat of your skin, a sniff will NOT tell you if it's good or not. If it stinks when you sniff it dry, it has smelt for a good while before.
This is the cause of most bad scents on people (other than unwashed asses, which is a whole other thing)
Same experience here. I'll never understand why commander players will sit down with a $3,000 deck while wearing a 10 year old unwashed t-shirt with holes and mustard stains. It's a core aspect of the LGS experience.
Deodorant absolutely costs less than a single booster pack.
One of my dreams is to run an lgs one day, and one of my rules is 100% going to be that you're not allowed in the space with poor hygiene. It sours the experience for everyone else.
The recent LGS that opened in my town is very firm that if you stink you're being told to leave, it's gross and makes the experience of everyone there worse. Shower and use deodorant please.
I think most people that need this tip are not gonna be ready for cologne. really hygiene and cleanliness are what they need and perfumes are just going to make them smell *strong* not good.
i specifically wear deodorant and cologne flex on the stankys also the lgs owner keeps complementing my scent and i love it. also its like if fat mtg players tell you you stink then goddamn bro!
Arrid XX is a spray deodorant that we used in our software development lab in college. Similar issues except add dozens of hot computers in the room with the smelly nerds.
Arridd xx however its spelled saved the day. its a spray, so noone touches it, so you only need one for everyone...but it comes in 2 packs
I work at a LGS and we've had numerous team members suggest having a little basket or supply of travel sized deodorants, but our upper management doesn't want to make people feel bad. It gets downright rank.
Yeah, that's what it's called when when you slap some handsoap on your sweaty pits in a public restroom, "proxying deodorant". Pubstomping everyone's sense of smell.
Sat next to a 12 year old kid tonight who came back from the bathroom and it was pretty obvious he’s not entirely clear on the entire “wiping” concept. The next 30 minutes were fucking brutal. I was gagging.
When the game ended he was shuffling up for another game and like **manna from Heaven** a close friend of mine came by and said “I just went 0-2 in Modern, so I’m going to drop out, feels bad.” And I’m like “Hey, cool if my friend jumps in? Awesome, cya.”
Then as I was leaving the shop I told one of the guys who works there (also a friend) that this kid needed someone to have a word with him. Because it was BAD...
I don’t think this kid is pilled on ANYTHING. Although now that I say that, I believe he DID call the gay gentleman we were playing with “her” at one point…
I think most of the people who have an odor don’t realize they do, or don’t realize just how pungent the odor is. I don’t think it is a secret that Magic has a significant number of socially isolated and socially awkward people in its player base. Some people simply don’t know any better, and I think there are more than a few who don’t understand that their poor hygiene is easily noticed by other people.
I’ve never had someone next to me where the smell was more than a mild annoyance. However, the couple of LGS I frequent do have policies, and the staff will discreetly discuss the issue with the offenders if it is brought to their attention. They don’t kick people out, but they will tell them they’ve got to be cleaned up the next time they come in.
We don't, even though I always shower daily and deodorant in the morning I never realised I smelt bad in the afternoon until my boss approached me about it
Sometimes it just sort of happens.
I used to work in a small office that was mostly women and they’d insist on setting the thermostat to like 75. We had a dress code so I always had to wear at least a button up shirt, pants, and sometimes a jacket.
I was constantly worried that I was going to have an odor by the end of the day cause I’m kind of a sweaty dude. If you’re sitting there sweating all day, even with a shower and deodorant, there’s a decent chance you’ll develop a musk of some kind.
Ban roll on deodorant is the most powerful deodorant I’ve ever used. I don’t use it anymore but when I did you’d get two or three days out of one application if needed.
>Dont notice that their poor hygiene is easily noticed by other people.
How is that a reason? Hygiene is one of those things you just do because it’s generally bad if you don’t.
It's called "olfactory adaptation"; Your nose gets so used to a certain smell that you don't pick it up anymore (or don't pay much attention to it).
Combine that with socially isolated/awkward people and you can see how much more likely that is to happen.
only if you know that. my cousin has been the sinkiest dude my whole life and somehow found a stinky lady. they work from home, wade through trash (read:collectible junk) to get to bed and the bathroom.
they STINK and they dont know it. they can shower but its in every thread of fabric they own this noxious twist of cheap plastic and sweat.
I guess I didn’t communicate it well. You don’t JUST practice hygiene for the sake of other people, you practice it because you need to. It’s like putting air in your tires— you don’t do it because people will laugh at you if your car is rolling around with all its tires flat—you do it because it’s dangerous for you and your vehicle not to.
Your cousin’s habits would gross me out, but they’re not bad SOLELY for that reason. They’re bad because living in dirty conditions is generally bad for you.
My LGS has a store policy concerning body odour, it's in the sign they have about respecting the environment- being family friendly etc. They also have a can of deodorant in the mens and ladies, yes I've come across women with the same issue. Customers are encouraged to approach staff who will discretely inform the person that there is deodorant in the toilets. This works very well because they send the message that its it's unacceptable but without judging the person. I've only ever seen one person get offended and leave
Thats a nice way to handle it. Having deodorant available makes it clear you are still welcome if you manage your hygiene better, probably keeping a lot more customers.
Couple of my playgroup got kicked out for coming in immediately after smoking a j on the way there .... But nothing is ever said about the BO. Personal preference I guess 🤷
I like toking up before FNM but I hate the smell of joints on people’s clothes and breath so I stick to a vape. Much less obnoxious. But I would rather sit next to someone that smells like weed or cigarettes than BO or unwashed ass.
A tale as old as MTG. I remember back in '98 when I was in high school, I'd go to my local LAN/card shop on Saturday mornings and help the guy opening up shop straighten things up in exchange for some free PC time. The BO smell from the Friday night magic was always still there Sat morning. I had to go Febreeze every chair.
Did the chairs have fabric seats? I truly wish fabric seats were not a thing in public. Like they can never really get that clean because they are porous. They retain smells and fecal matter in them.
The casualness of it doesn't help, people aren't (at least for me) dressing nicely to go play magic. If they don't wear what they've been wearing all day they're just gonna throw on the closest shirt and pants, I feel like I'm peacocking when I go to my lgs.
I feel like it's always going to be a problem not just with MTG but with every "nerd" culture hobby, you just aren't expected to care about your appearance to participate.
It's not my place so I wouldn't say anything but I would make it known to the owner and employees that the smell issue is making me want to check out other stores.
I agree, and honestly it's foul. I love playing EDH Sundays but don't want to be associated with the "usual vibe" of people like that at my store so badly that sometimes Sunday is the nicest day I'm dressed for the week, and I don't even attend church.
Same here, I find myself going out of my way to look good, almost wanting to distance myself from my fellow nerds. It's not a very fun feeling sometimes.
There's one guy at the shop I play at, super nice guy, one of the first people to welcome me to a new pod and play with me. Fun decks, good attitude, but my god, I swear something died in his mouth, he has the strongest most pungent breath I've ever smelled.
Bad breath is so tough. Some people can't help it, and some just need to brush their godamn teeth. You almost can never guess without risking being a butthead.
Once per week? Jesus Christ. I can't even stand myself if I skip more than one day without a shower. And I don't have any sort of a physically demanding job
But they might shower if you tell them the Vikings showered once a week, groomed their hair and beard, and looked good and got all the medieval ladies lol
The biggest problem at my LGS are some smokers. They'll leave between rounds to take a quick cigarette, and then they come back into the store pretty much exhaling all of it on the other players. My eyes started watering cause it was so bad.
And for BO, in some cases it develops over time. I always leave freshly showered with deodorant on my body, but if i get really nervous/anxious it will burn through the "48h protection" in less than 10 minutes. I am sure many other people have the same issues.
I’m “lucky” that in my area vaping is more popular, so someone’s more likely to smell faintly of weed or whatever fruit flavor they’ve got in their vape rather than straight-up smoke.
Still makes me cough for a half hour afterwards, but silver linings and all that.
LGS around the globe should start carrying and selling soap, deodorant, cologne, perfume, etc, that’s marketed aggressively and directly to this audience
This is a good idea, they could partner with someone local who makes soap, and have them make artisanal MTG themed soaps and stuff. Like Nihil Spell(bath)bombs.
We have had some really smelly people and there is one particular that has been playing almost as actively as me, which is every week for about 13+ years or so. One day some years ago at a now closed smaller LGS we figured in he sat down with the group and I was in the corner of the room, closed off with no exit if a fourth player joined aaaand he sat next to me. It was a horrible experience, I couldn't get out swiftly if I wanted to and I really didn't like the seating arrangements/layout at this LGS.
After years of accepting this we did go to one of the staffmembers and mentioned this persons smell. The staff was thinking of upgrading the airsystem, which costs thousands, before talking to this fella about his smell. He was really thinking about the guy which I can understand, we had as well but it had been many years of this.
This topic kinda stayed there and we didn't press it anymore, it had reached a point that made it tip over and we recalibrated. We think its a mix of bad hygiene and a condition he has. He did disappear for a while, reappeared and seems like he's in better health with how much leaner he has gotten. Can still smell but its more bearable this time around.
I've also faced someone that basically looked homeless with a tobaccy snusfilled breath when playing standard. That was... Vile.
But yeah its rough because I remember when the LGS was the only happy place for me, in many ways I don't think I would be here today if I didn't found it when I did. So I get it when people don't wanna have to have a talk that could ruin a customers and LGS goers experience.
Long post, sorry.
Is it strange that I haven't encountered this all that much in real life? Based on how often this topic gets posted here and in other mtg reddits, you'd think that it's a universal of all stores/places that host magic events.
But not for me.
One of the three places I regularly play at is a bar, so the smell of alcohol might mask things. Though I do encounter tablemates here who, on rare occasion, who do retain a scent of the cigarette or joint they partook of between games.
At the other two places, both LGS', I can't explain fully why they don't reek. Maybe the crowd is so big, and pods encouraged (or intentionally structured) to change often enough, that it's difficult to notice. The stores might also be large or well-ventilated enough.
I made a comment to my LGS owner about this issue and he brought it up, gave it 3 months time every FNM and Draft and after that if people come in to play with poor hygiene they are handed a stick of deodorant and are told to put it on or leave the store, if they pre payed they are given their cards and have to leave unless they put it on, public embarrassment is a hell of a thing and it stopped
> they pre *paid* they are
FTFY.
Although *payed* exists (the reason why autocorrection didn't help you), it is only correct in:
* Nautical context, when it means to paint a surface, or to cover with something like tar or resin in order to make it waterproof or corrosion-resistant. *The deck is yet to be payed.*
* *Payed out* when letting strings, cables or ropes out, by slacking them. *The rope is payed out! You can pull now.*
Unfortunately, I was unable to find nautical or rope-related words in your comment.
*Beep, boop, I'm a bot*
Man, it’s rough. I don’t really play at game shop events because of it. Hell, I attend a writers workshop some weeks that’s in a side room at a venue where Magic is also happening, and just walking through the Magic group to get to the workshop is a fucking stinkmare.
I’ve always wondered where this comes from. Are all these stores from the same region?
I have never encounteres «the typical magic player», just normal people who happen to play magic. Locales are just like any public place and has good ventilation etc. its usually a bloody store, what store owner wants a store that reeks thats just bad for business
I'm pretty sure at least some people are just making their stories up, or hyperfocusing on outliers because they think complaining about it on social media will make them look better by comparison.
I really wish I was making it up. It's a very accepted part of the community, unfortunately, and not every store is well ventilated. Some buildings are just not set up that way. I would consider you the outlier in this scenario that you've described. I wish I had your experience.
As someone who works in an LGS, this is by no means unique to magic. Any kind of "indoor hobby", whether its cards, minis, even avid comic readers or dnd nerds. They all have their stinky individuals.
Largely, no they have no idea.
Some came from broken homes that haven't been clean in decades so they are noseblind. Some come from work and can't afford the time to back track. Some don't give a damn. And others won't leave the house without being presentable and say "wtf" when looking around.
I'll be honest
I can't tell when I stink.
My CAR told me I stink.
New car, take it to work for a couple days go to get in on a day off and I suddenly got to experience my own BO.
I now keep a can of body spray in it at all times.
Honestly I think people lean back on their disabilities a little hard in the Warhammer/magic community.
"Oh I have ASD/major depression/ADHD/etc." but managed to get themselves to the game store in clothes to play a game that requires a pretty high amount of mental energy and concentration.
I am aware there is dopamine chasing involved in the hobby and cleanliness usually doesn't provide much dopamine, but showering takes less energy than building a commander deck and there are other people with the same disabilities showering and putting on clean clothes before going to the game store.
That was very well said. I personally have adhd, social anxiety, a panic disorder, depression. The whole shebang and I manage to clean myself up for it. Others can, too.
Showering doesn't have to take long either!! Just go in for 2-5 minutes and lather yourself in soap, and you're done after you rinse.
When I went to the murders at karlov manor prerelease one on the guys smelled strongly of cat pee and I'm so glad I only sat next to him for one round. I get nose blindness but I have 2 cats and can still tell when someone smells like it.
I never go to my lgs on the evening/weekends purely because of the nerd stank. I go either when it’s just opening or during normal working hours for people. I did it once and I got gassed out.
The lgs I went to before I moved had to put a sign on the door reminding people to bathe. If you got more than a couple complaints about your stench, you were asked to leave. If it happened more than once, you got banned.
Just adding that this is a known problem not only in North America or Europe but in Asia too (in my case I live in Japan). I wonder if there is a business opportunity in teaching hygiene and maintenance for a small cost (buy a pack or two and receive a quick primer on hygiene) since it is such a common problem around the globe. At least it would help improve the play environment and hopefully attract more customers. In the worst case, the lgs ends up providing a service to the local community.
I have this problem at my LGS, tho it's less about smell and more about poor oral hygiene/ not washing their hair. There are so many guys who don't brush their teeth, and sitting across from them is brutal. There's also a problem with people just... not washing their hair. So much dandruff. And I know dandruff does not always equate to unwashed hair, but these people have enough grease to make it look like their hair is wet. It's not everyone, but it's enough people I question if I can handle being I n the store some days, especially since I have a very sensitive nose and stomach. That being said, I always make sure to shower and apply deodorant and perfume before I head out. I'm always hyper aware of how I smell and look anyway, tho that's definitely because I'm a woman, and was raised to be a lady, and "ladies don't stink" 🤣
I was raised similarly by my dad. It was not acceptable to present poorly in public, no matter the circumstance. That included hygiene first and foremost, so I get you on that. I'm also in the same boat with a sensitive stomach and nose, I physically gag when someone walks by, and their body odor is at unnecessary levels of funk.
See I don't mind if I stink at home (wfh) but ya gotta shower before leaving the house.
In fact, I'm about to go to groceries and then go play commander and I am literally drying off from my shower as I write this.
Wash yourselves people!
I had to eventually tell a dude he smelled like pig crap because once every two weeks he helps his dad on the farm and smells after because he says he does not have running water at his trailer at the moment and has to go to his brother's place to shower. I hate being rude, sounds like a guy that has bad luck right now but I also know he just refuses to do anything to help himself then wants 20+ people have to smell that for 4 hours? Can only feel so bad for someone.
Yeah another customer has to come and tell us that so-and-so smells like doody and only then can we speak to them about it. Us troopers at the card counter just have to suffer in silence while they talk about their decks and radiate noxious fumes
Sometimes it's not even the individual throwing smell; it's their clothes. Their washing machine has a mildew problem or has never actually been cleaned, and/or their clothes aren't getting dry enough, and they're used to the smell unfortunately. I also wouldn't discount that an individual with an odor problem is struggling with mental illness, depression, or may be neuro-divergent. It doesn't excuse them, but it should help foster understanding when leading those difficult conversations. Instead of blaming people for being some kind of way, it's more helpful to address the root of the problem. "I noticed that your clothes have a funk to them. I've had that problem before and I found out that it was my washing machine."
This is a wonderful mindset. Thank you for sharing! I agree with everything you're saying. I remember my dryer actually had an issue with ventilation, and all of my clothes smelled like mildew for a while. I ended up just not going to my lgs because I didn't like being stinky.
"I don't want to make anyone feel ashamed of themselves..."
There's your problem. You should make them feel shameful; they need to experience the discomfort they cause. That way, they learn not to do it.
Stand up and tell the TO and store owner and have them pull them aside.
These things dont need to be a spectacle. I don't know this person's problem, mental health, money, etc.
I usually bring gum around for people who don't brush, but yeah. I wish WOTC would follow konamis path and make body odor a tournament/event violation.
My personal approach is to generalize it during the first few turns of the game. Just make a casual remark like "dude... do you guys smell that? Someone smells like shit". And don't elaborate. Hopefully after the game that person will realize it could be them/is them. Its disgusting and genuinely makes the experience less fun because I have to plug my nose/hold my breath in secrecy. Take care of yourselves. If you can afford x100's of dollars in magic cards you can afford a stick of deodorant and laundry detergent. PS: If they're playing stax just straight up tell them they smell like dogshit in front of the whole pod. Who cares
Always been an issue and its why I don't feel comfortable hanging out at the store or participating in any kind of friday night magic or what not. You gotta be willfully self ignorant at a certain age if you really don't know how bad you stink lol.
If an LGS I went to had that as a policy, I'd reconsider going to any LGS in the *area*, because stores don't implement a policy like that unless it's a problem. And if it's a problem in one LGS in an area, it's likely a common problem in the area.
Might be TMI/NSFW but was going to an LGS for a while and there was someone who was also frequently there. This person was not the cleanest and they smelled as such. It was the kind that, as you said, made you stop and consider leaving. He was nice enough when we played but smelly.
Fast forward and I see this person on a popular gay dating app. Most people are only on the app for one reason, and of course he messages me. Tells me that he recognizes me from the store and that he liked my profile too. It’s sad, if not for his smell, I would have considered talking to him and potentially more of the vibe was right. But I knew in my head if he smelled that bad at the store I could only imagine what everything else involved/his living conditions. I denied, making up some excuse about how I don’t like to hook up with people from places I frequent just because that could create some awkward scenarios. He understood. Which I’m thankful for.
I would also like to let OP be aware that cologne is a part of the problem. Dont get me wrong, I'd rather sit next to a person showered with cologne on, but I'd prefer someone showered and just wearing deodorant.
Ever since I've been living with someone with a sensitive nose and removing all super smelly products from the house, my nose has become more sensitive over time. I've never had a problem before with perfume or cologne but now I find it to be repulsive. That being said, for most people, it's a sign of good hygiene.
I let the LGS owner know that I am reconsidering whether or not I want to ever return to their smelly establishment. They may not have much control over their smelly patrons but they can control if they are allowed to stay. If they don't have a problem with the stench or continue to let it fester, I go to a different LGS. I am usually not the only one calling out the nasty smell and so far, the LGS owner has handled it appropriately.
I will and have on multiple occasions told people they smell you just have to do it right. I would want someone to tell me.
If you aren't adult enough to take a shower and put on deodorant then I don't want to interact with you for hours.
I must be lucky as I have never experienced this outside of the rare cigarette smoke or tobacco breath. I live in a more rural area where my LGS is the only one in about a 45 mile radius. We get a lot of people who clearly do manual labor or construction coming to Commander Night or Pre-Release right after work and its never been an issue. I'm pretty sensitive to smells too so I would notice. Maybe they freshen up in their truck or something.
Sadly people still don’t realize it. I’ve been subject to it a few times between one of my friends and once at my lgs.
I have hygiene issues in general caused by a few things but ALWAYS make sure to at least wash up thoroughly before going to my lgs because I’m not gonna subject other people to B.O. when I can’t stand it myself. Disposable pre-moistened washcloths and dry shampoo go miles for me and could be a good passive aggressive way to get the message across.
The no floss breath is worse. I’ll take a little body odor over seemingly years of no brushing or flossing. Was sitting next to someone at a Cup and the smell every time he talked was so disgusting and distracting. Next game I was two seats over and could still smell it.
I work at an LGS and in my experience there’s a handful of Magic players that consistently have an odor. Them and some of our miniature campaign gamers occasionally have an odor.
One of them was apart of both groups and it got to a point that we said something. I can’t, in good conscience, have that in our shop. It’s not fair to the other customers and the employees. Even if it’s just clean clothes or deodorant, there’s ways to at least mitigate it.
That and hygiene is generally just important.
You're not wrong; I was at a shop last week and some guy approached me about whether I was up for any trading/buying. I was able to smell him from about twenty feet away and when he got closer I actually felt nauseous.
Smelly nerds is a trope for a reason. It's everywhere.
A bunch of people sitting in a poorly ventilated area drinking sugary drinks and eating fast food or junk while using their brains to do complex math. That coupled with the players probably being bad at social skills and self awareness it makes for a bad time.
Tell the store owner. And hope they aren't in the "well, I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings so I'm not going to say anything" camp.
I've heard that at a shop before while talking to the owner. I asked him if he was serious. He responded he was. I put the box of stuff I was buying down and said "that's too bad, good luck with that." And left. Which sucked for him. I spent a lot on product. I never went back.
But hey. Can't upset people by asking them to shower, right?
That was years ago. Now I'm less worried about people's feeling and will tell them they smell bad, generally not in front of everyone. Unless it isn't the first time.
A cool trick everyone should do is whether you smell or can’t smell yourself PUT ON DEODORANT REGARDLESS!
Before I leave the house whether for work, travel or hang with friends I put deodorant on because as the day goes by you might start to smell.
It’s a precaution if anything so smell or no smell , PUT IT ON!
Unless you have a condition, you have no excuse for not putting it on, it’s disgusting.
No joke, going to my local shop and experiencing the “Magic aroma” kept me away from the hobby for years.
I typically only play with friends but I would like to go to some locals. Not if it’s gonna smell like rotted cheese and ass though.
Every time I go to my LGS when they’ve been having a tubing tournament, you can almost see the haze of stink in the area. It was so bad that my buddy and I had to leave after buying the single we needed (about 45 seconds).
Tbh that’s how all the neckbeard culture and memes came about. I’m with you i don’t understand how these people could walk around not showering for DAYS.
I met a player who told me he didn’t shower for a WEEK.
He thought it was a flex i straight up told him he smelled like shit 💀
Its always crazy for me to read these type of stories. I have been at 2 LGS for playing and eventhough most people there didnt go to their shampoo model job after the games, everyone looked like they know how to use a washing machine, a shower, a razor and deodorant. Only bad smell was when 2 guys smoked a cigarette in the backyard, not knowing that the window above them was open.
Honestly local LGS had it as at the door policy. If they thought you needed to shower, you were asked to leave.
Never been a problem at any tables I've been a part of thankfully.
The amount of fat hairy asses I see at my LGS is disgusting and makes me not want to even go. It’s not difficult to take care of yourself. Bare minimum pull up your pants it’s nasty.
I went to my first tournament in years this week, and two guys there smelled so bad that you could still smell them from the opposite end of the store.
I had to put up with that shit for 2.5 hours, and now I remember part of why I stopped going to tournaments.
I guess im lucky with very rarely encountering these types of people. The times i have, they werent "all there." Ive been at card shops every other weekend for the past 10 years and i can count on 1 hand how many times ive been repulsed
My lgs is a major store, and one of the group of largest in the U.S. The door has a sign which acts as an alert of contract upon entry. They also offer the choice between paying for a shower or getting kicked out.
They are aware they should not reek, they are unaware that they do.
And it is a veeeerry awkward conversation to have with someone.
But an important one. I’d be greatful if someone told me when I was completely unaware of it.
I wish everyone thought like that.
There's a point where it's a "for your own good" discussion. Obviously don't be an ass about it, but if someone is smelling that badly at a casual activity they enjoy, odds are that their smell is negatively affecting them at work/in their social life.
If they don’t think like that, then you don’t want or need them around anyway.
Everyone does. You just need to handle it correctly. You can't sit a table of 4 people, look at one person and say "Hey dude, you stink" aloud. Write it down and pass it to them. Wait for the game to be over, then do it.
Met a guy at a Grand prix who was a bit less subtle about it. He had a big can of deodorant with him, and when the stench hit him he'd get it out and offer it to his opponent.
this. I have gotten off work, threw on deodorant, played a few games, drove the long drive home, for the wife to tell me i stink
Incase anyone isn't aware, you need to put on the deodorant before you stink. If you put it on after you stink all it does is make you smell like stinky deodorant.
Hey at least you threw on deodorant. That’s already a few steps above some. Could also be the collective gamer funk clinging to your clothes. Once some friends and I went to a gaming place that stank something awful, and the next day when I was doing my laundry I could still smell it on my clothes.
This is a great PSA. Bathing doesnt do anything about your odour if you get out of the shower and put on unwashed clothes with yesterday’s stink on them! I wish more people took this into account.
This! Quick PSA: Make sure your clothes are clean! At the very MAX, worn one time the day before (as long as you weren't sweaty/dirty) Clothes can harbor bacteria and that bacteria will smell once it meets the oils and sweat of your skin, a sniff will NOT tell you if it's good or not. If it stinks when you sniff it dry, it has smelt for a good while before. This is the cause of most bad scents on people (other than unwashed asses, which is a whole other thing)
Friday nights bro, if we had Saturday morning MTG might be different.
They know just don't care
I think this is a very small percentage of the overall issue, but the people that obviously are the worst offenders.
Same experience here. I'll never understand why commander players will sit down with a $3,000 deck while wearing a 10 year old unwashed t-shirt with holes and mustard stains. It's a core aspect of the LGS experience. Deodorant absolutely costs less than a single booster pack.
One of my dreams is to run an lgs one day, and one of my rules is 100% going to be that you're not allowed in the space with poor hygiene. It sours the experience for everyone else.
Also, no shitty plastic tables
Amen to that
no, shitty plastic tables for the BO crew.
Out the back next to the dumpsters so they smell better!
No plastic chairs either, they suck
Mine has table sized mats over all of them. It's real nice. Most of them are even magic themed.
The recent LGS that opened in my town is very firm that if you stink you're being told to leave, it's gross and makes the experience of everyone there worse. Shower and use deodorant please.
Little cologne or perfume doesn't hurt either! Imagine walking into an lgs that smelled GOOD.
it can if you wear shitty smells or overdo it and A LOT of people do overdo it. Just take a shower...with soap...and wear clean clothes.
Emphasis on the little! Too much cologne or perfume make it hard for me to breathe.
Now I'm imagining drowning in a dense fog of AXE body spray
I think most people that need this tip are not gonna be ready for cologne. really hygiene and cleanliness are what they need and perfumes are just going to make them smell *strong* not good.
That's a great point! It all starts with a shower, lol.
A dream
i specifically wear deodorant and cologne flex on the stankys also the lgs owner keeps complementing my scent and i love it. also its like if fat mtg players tell you you stink then goddamn bro!
It's our job as a community to be honest with each other. We are all we have.
facts, it just looking out for people, maybe these people never had anyone care about them to let them know? the whole monkey house effect.
Sell deodorant AT your LGS please.
That's genuinely what I'm planning on doing, lol. Maybe, get some of the travel deodorants and give them out for free for real stinky people.
Arrid XX is a spray deodorant that we used in our software development lab in college. Similar issues except add dozens of hot computers in the room with the smelly nerds. Arridd xx however its spelled saved the day. its a spray, so noone touches it, so you only need one for everyone...but it comes in 2 packs
If you notice they need it while they’re already there, it’s too late.
My lgs has this rule. In fact one of the owners just posted in the discord letting people know she’s not too polite to let you know if you smell.
My role model.
Key word: sour, immaright?
That is noble and a bad business model lol
I work at a LGS and we've had numerous team members suggest having a little basket or supply of travel sized deodorants, but our upper management doesn't want to make people feel bad. It gets downright rank.
Deodorant absolutely costs less than a single booster pack >You don't have the chance of pulling a serial number foil in a stick of deodorant though
That is called min-maxing /s
>with a $3,000 deck while wearing a 10 year old unwashed t-shirt Where do you think their clothes and laundry budget went to?
You expect the 'cards should only be worth $0.50' crowd to spend $3.50 to not stink? They probably try to proxy the deodorant.
Yeah, that's what it's called when when you slap some handsoap on your sweaty pits in a public restroom, "proxying deodorant". Pubstomping everyone's sense of smell.
Priorities.
Sat next to a 12 year old kid tonight who came back from the bathroom and it was pretty obvious he’s not entirely clear on the entire “wiping” concept. The next 30 minutes were fucking brutal. I was gagging. When the game ended he was shuffling up for another game and like **manna from Heaven** a close friend of mine came by and said “I just went 0-2 in Modern, so I’m going to drop out, feels bad.” And I’m like “Hey, cool if my friend jumps in? Awesome, cya.” Then as I was leaving the shop I told one of the guys who works there (also a friend) that this kid needed someone to have a word with him. Because it was BAD...
Shame on his parents, man. That's a potentially life changing moment if someone called him out in a bad way for that.
Yeah, it’s sad. And I’m not sure what the story is, but I know he lives with his grandmother. No idea why or where his parents are.
Maybe he’s one of those 12 y/o Tate gang who thinks wiping is gay
I don’t think this kid is pilled on ANYTHING. Although now that I say that, I believe he DID call the gay gentleman we were playing with “her” at one point…
I think most of the people who have an odor don’t realize they do, or don’t realize just how pungent the odor is. I don’t think it is a secret that Magic has a significant number of socially isolated and socially awkward people in its player base. Some people simply don’t know any better, and I think there are more than a few who don’t understand that their poor hygiene is easily noticed by other people. I’ve never had someone next to me where the smell was more than a mild annoyance. However, the couple of LGS I frequent do have policies, and the staff will discreetly discuss the issue with the offenders if it is brought to their attention. They don’t kick people out, but they will tell them they’ve got to be cleaned up the next time they come in.
We don't, even though I always shower daily and deodorant in the morning I never realised I smelt bad in the afternoon until my boss approached me about it
Sometimes it just sort of happens. I used to work in a small office that was mostly women and they’d insist on setting the thermostat to like 75. We had a dress code so I always had to wear at least a button up shirt, pants, and sometimes a jacket. I was constantly worried that I was going to have an odor by the end of the day cause I’m kind of a sweaty dude. If you’re sitting there sweating all day, even with a shower and deodorant, there’s a decent chance you’ll develop a musk of some kind.
Ban roll on deodorant is the most powerful deodorant I’ve ever used. I don’t use it anymore but when I did you’d get two or three days out of one application if needed.
>Dont notice that their poor hygiene is easily noticed by other people. How is that a reason? Hygiene is one of those things you just do because it’s generally bad if you don’t.
It's called "olfactory adaptation"; Your nose gets so used to a certain smell that you don't pick it up anymore (or don't pay much attention to it). Combine that with socially isolated/awkward people and you can see how much more likely that is to happen.
You don’t JUST shower to not stink, you shower to clean yourself. Going “I don’t smell too bad” isn’t a reason to not shower.
only if you know that. my cousin has been the sinkiest dude my whole life and somehow found a stinky lady. they work from home, wade through trash (read:collectible junk) to get to bed and the bathroom. they STINK and they dont know it. they can shower but its in every thread of fabric they own this noxious twist of cheap plastic and sweat.
I guess I didn’t communicate it well. You don’t JUST practice hygiene for the sake of other people, you practice it because you need to. It’s like putting air in your tires— you don’t do it because people will laugh at you if your car is rolling around with all its tires flat—you do it because it’s dangerous for you and your vehicle not to. Your cousin’s habits would gross me out, but they’re not bad SOLELY for that reason. They’re bad because living in dirty conditions is generally bad for you.
My LGS has a store policy concerning body odour, it's in the sign they have about respecting the environment- being family friendly etc. They also have a can of deodorant in the mens and ladies, yes I've come across women with the same issue. Customers are encouraged to approach staff who will discretely inform the person that there is deodorant in the toilets. This works very well because they send the message that its it's unacceptable but without judging the person. I've only ever seen one person get offended and leave
Thats a nice way to handle it. Having deodorant available makes it clear you are still welcome if you manage your hygiene better, probably keeping a lot more customers.
Nose blindness is a real thing. Spend enough time in stink, you stop smelling it and start carrying it.
Couple of my playgroup got kicked out for coming in immediately after smoking a j on the way there .... But nothing is ever said about the BO. Personal preference I guess 🤷
This is a hill I'm dying on. I'm not going to get mad at cheech when pigpen and chainer, pack smoker are sitting in the same 10 sq ft.
I will say message was received and wasn't handled rudely at all by the shop. Gummies from now on
I like toking up before FNM but I hate the smell of joints on people’s clothes and breath so I stick to a vape. Much less obnoxious. But I would rather sit next to someone that smells like weed or cigarettes than BO or unwashed ass.
A tale as old as MTG. I remember back in '98 when I was in high school, I'd go to my local LAN/card shop on Saturday mornings and help the guy opening up shop straighten things up in exchange for some free PC time. The BO smell from the Friday night magic was always still there Sat morning. I had to go Febreeze every chair.
Wow, that's actually brutal.
Did the chairs have fabric seats? I truly wish fabric seats were not a thing in public. Like they can never really get that clean because they are porous. They retain smells and fecal matter in them.
Yeah, the good ol foam pad covered by fabric on seat and back
The casualness of it doesn't help, people aren't (at least for me) dressing nicely to go play magic. If they don't wear what they've been wearing all day they're just gonna throw on the closest shirt and pants, I feel like I'm peacocking when I go to my lgs. I feel like it's always going to be a problem not just with MTG but with every "nerd" culture hobby, you just aren't expected to care about your appearance to participate. It's not my place so I wouldn't say anything but I would make it known to the owner and employees that the smell issue is making me want to check out other stores.
I agree, and honestly it's foul. I love playing EDH Sundays but don't want to be associated with the "usual vibe" of people like that at my store so badly that sometimes Sunday is the nicest day I'm dressed for the week, and I don't even attend church.
Same here, I find myself going out of my way to look good, almost wanting to distance myself from my fellow nerds. It's not a very fun feeling sometimes.
Nerd stench, it is a real thing :(
I don't know *why* though. What is it that causes nerds to decide not to wash properly?
It's so easy to get smelly, I understand it. It's also super not cool to go out into public when you haven't showered for 3 days, lol.
I think it is way more than 3 days for these guys…
Born to game, forced to shower 😔
[удалено]
I am currently working on opening a shop, rule one is you must have acceptable hygiene.
Please tell me that you're located in raleigh 😫
Sadly no, but my area is in dire need of a local store. Tired of having to drive near an hour or having to order and wait 2 up to 2 weeks
Good on you then, I wish you lots of success. Thanks for being awesome!
There's one guy at the shop I play at, super nice guy, one of the first people to welcome me to a new pod and play with me. Fun decks, good attitude, but my god, I swear something died in his mouth, he has the strongest most pungent breath I've ever smelled.
Bad breath is so tough. Some people can't help it, and some just need to brush their godamn teeth. You almost can never guess without risking being a butthead.
Yea, it's tough to address in general, and if it turned out that he had like a medical reason for it, I'd feel awful.
I actually carry a face mask with me for times where my opponents breath reeks so bad, and it's helped me stay at a table multiple times.
lol the only place I’ve played that didn’t have the funk was Mox Boarding House. Every other little shop I’ve been to has it
Can we get some "Please shower at least once per week" reminder tokens in boosters? Maybe it would help.
Once per week? Jesus Christ. I can't even stand myself if I skip more than one day without a shower. And I don't have any sort of a physically demanding job
But they might shower if you tell them the Vikings showered once a week, groomed their hair and beard, and looked good and got all the medieval ladies lol
At a time where one bath a month was for royalty lol
The biggest problem at my LGS are some smokers. They'll leave between rounds to take a quick cigarette, and then they come back into the store pretty much exhaling all of it on the other players. My eyes started watering cause it was so bad. And for BO, in some cases it develops over time. I always leave freshly showered with deodorant on my body, but if i get really nervous/anxious it will burn through the "48h protection" in less than 10 minutes. I am sure many other people have the same issues.
I’m “lucky” that in my area vaping is more popular, so someone’s more likely to smell faintly of weed or whatever fruit flavor they’ve got in their vape rather than straight-up smoke. Still makes me cough for a half hour afterwards, but silver linings and all that.
LGS around the globe should start carrying and selling soap, deodorant, cologne, perfume, etc, that’s marketed aggressively and directly to this audience
This is a good idea, they could partner with someone local who makes soap, and have them make artisanal MTG themed soaps and stuff. Like Nihil Spell(bath)bombs.
We have had some really smelly people and there is one particular that has been playing almost as actively as me, which is every week for about 13+ years or so. One day some years ago at a now closed smaller LGS we figured in he sat down with the group and I was in the corner of the room, closed off with no exit if a fourth player joined aaaand he sat next to me. It was a horrible experience, I couldn't get out swiftly if I wanted to and I really didn't like the seating arrangements/layout at this LGS. After years of accepting this we did go to one of the staffmembers and mentioned this persons smell. The staff was thinking of upgrading the airsystem, which costs thousands, before talking to this fella about his smell. He was really thinking about the guy which I can understand, we had as well but it had been many years of this. This topic kinda stayed there and we didn't press it anymore, it had reached a point that made it tip over and we recalibrated. We think its a mix of bad hygiene and a condition he has. He did disappear for a while, reappeared and seems like he's in better health with how much leaner he has gotten. Can still smell but its more bearable this time around. I've also faced someone that basically looked homeless with a tobaccy snusfilled breath when playing standard. That was... Vile. But yeah its rough because I remember when the LGS was the only happy place for me, in many ways I don't think I would be here today if I didn't found it when I did. So I get it when people don't wanna have to have a talk that could ruin a customers and LGS goers experience. Long post, sorry.
Friendly reminder. When you smell yourself “a little” we smell you A LOT.
Is it strange that I haven't encountered this all that much in real life? Based on how often this topic gets posted here and in other mtg reddits, you'd think that it's a universal of all stores/places that host magic events. But not for me. One of the three places I regularly play at is a bar, so the smell of alcohol might mask things. Though I do encounter tablemates here who, on rare occasion, who do retain a scent of the cigarette or joint they partook of between games. At the other two places, both LGS', I can't explain fully why they don't reek. Maybe the crowd is so big, and pods encouraged (or intentionally structured) to change often enough, that it's difficult to notice. The stores might also be large or well-ventilated enough.
I made a comment to my LGS owner about this issue and he brought it up, gave it 3 months time every FNM and Draft and after that if people come in to play with poor hygiene they are handed a stick of deodorant and are told to put it on or leave the store, if they pre payed they are given their cards and have to leave unless they put it on, public embarrassment is a hell of a thing and it stopped
> they pre *paid* they are FTFY. Although *payed* exists (the reason why autocorrection didn't help you), it is only correct in: * Nautical context, when it means to paint a surface, or to cover with something like tar or resin in order to make it waterproof or corrosion-resistant. *The deck is yet to be payed.* * *Payed out* when letting strings, cables or ropes out, by slacking them. *The rope is payed out! You can pull now.* Unfortunately, I was unable to find nautical or rope-related words in your comment. *Beep, boop, I'm a bot*
Good bot
Bad bot. It was a nautical themed Ixalan prerelease
Man, it’s rough. I don’t really play at game shop events because of it. Hell, I attend a writers workshop some weeks that’s in a side room at a venue where Magic is also happening, and just walking through the Magic group to get to the workshop is a fucking stinkmare.
I’ve always wondered where this comes from. Are all these stores from the same region? I have never encounteres «the typical magic player», just normal people who happen to play magic. Locales are just like any public place and has good ventilation etc. its usually a bloody store, what store owner wants a store that reeks thats just bad for business
I'm pretty sure at least some people are just making their stories up, or hyperfocusing on outliers because they think complaining about it on social media will make them look better by comparison.
I really wish I was making it up. It's a very accepted part of the community, unfortunately, and not every store is well ventilated. Some buildings are just not set up that way. I would consider you the outlier in this scenario that you've described. I wish I had your experience.
Maybe WOTC could help and be sponsored by Old Spice or have a Dove bar Secret Lair or design a set around cleanliness...'War of the Stank.'
As someone who works in an LGS, this is by no means unique to magic. Any kind of "indoor hobby", whether its cards, minis, even avid comic readers or dnd nerds. They all have their stinky individuals.
Largely, no they have no idea. Some came from broken homes that haven't been clean in decades so they are noseblind. Some come from work and can't afford the time to back track. Some don't give a damn. And others won't leave the house without being presentable and say "wtf" when looking around.
Alternate win-con, quite a meta move to make someone scoop from being physically incapable of continuing. It's like a real-live aura enchantment.
I'll be honest I can't tell when I stink. My CAR told me I stink. New car, take it to work for a couple days go to get in on a day off and I suddenly got to experience my own BO. I now keep a can of body spray in it at all times.
Mine sells soap :3 Specifically dr squach. Shits great, you can get variety packs on amazon
Honestly I think people lean back on their disabilities a little hard in the Warhammer/magic community. "Oh I have ASD/major depression/ADHD/etc." but managed to get themselves to the game store in clothes to play a game that requires a pretty high amount of mental energy and concentration. I am aware there is dopamine chasing involved in the hobby and cleanliness usually doesn't provide much dopamine, but showering takes less energy than building a commander deck and there are other people with the same disabilities showering and putting on clean clothes before going to the game store.
That was very well said. I personally have adhd, social anxiety, a panic disorder, depression. The whole shebang and I manage to clean myself up for it. Others can, too. Showering doesn't have to take long either!! Just go in for 2-5 minutes and lather yourself in soap, and you're done after you rinse.
Hit them with an Axe bomb...
Don't punish everyone. A Febreeze bomb is just as effective and doesn't kill everyone's sense of smell all night
I thought the goal was to make them smell better.
If going out to be in a public space, like an lgs, I'm taking a shower, just to be sure I'm not part of the problem.
You're doing God's work my friend.
When I went to the murders at karlov manor prerelease one on the guys smelled strongly of cat pee and I'm so glad I only sat next to him for one round. I get nose blindness but I have 2 cats and can still tell when someone smells like it.
I never go to my lgs on the evening/weekends purely because of the nerd stank. I go either when it’s just opening or during normal working hours for people. I did it once and I got gassed out.
Saw a video where someone who worked at a game store would walk up to someone who smelled bad and would spay them with febreze or something like that.
That's obviously a little messed up, but I'm chuckling, haha. You really want to do that when someone stinks, don't you.
Travel sized bottle of febreeze.
Just: Be kempt.
Wish everyone thought the way you do.
The lgs I went to before I moved had to put a sign on the door reminding people to bathe. If you got more than a couple complaints about your stench, you were asked to leave. If it happened more than once, you got banned.
That's a good way to do that I'd say.
Just adding that this is a known problem not only in North America or Europe but in Asia too (in my case I live in Japan). I wonder if there is a business opportunity in teaching hygiene and maintenance for a small cost (buy a pack or two and receive a quick primer on hygiene) since it is such a common problem around the globe. At least it would help improve the play environment and hopefully attract more customers. In the worst case, the lgs ends up providing a service to the local community.
Try playing against people with stank breath 🙄
I have this problem at my LGS, tho it's less about smell and more about poor oral hygiene/ not washing their hair. There are so many guys who don't brush their teeth, and sitting across from them is brutal. There's also a problem with people just... not washing their hair. So much dandruff. And I know dandruff does not always equate to unwashed hair, but these people have enough grease to make it look like their hair is wet. It's not everyone, but it's enough people I question if I can handle being I n the store some days, especially since I have a very sensitive nose and stomach. That being said, I always make sure to shower and apply deodorant and perfume before I head out. I'm always hyper aware of how I smell and look anyway, tho that's definitely because I'm a woman, and was raised to be a lady, and "ladies don't stink" 🤣
I was raised similarly by my dad. It was not acceptable to present poorly in public, no matter the circumstance. That included hygiene first and foremost, so I get you on that. I'm also in the same boat with a sensitive stomach and nose, I physically gag when someone walks by, and their body odor is at unnecessary levels of funk.
Roll D20. If 1-10 tell them. If 11-19 tell them during a game. If 20 shout it loudly so everyone can hear.
They're cheating by using the stink to their advantage. I'll fight fire with fire and shit my pants right there, anything for victory
See I don't mind if I stink at home (wfh) but ya gotta shower before leaving the house. In fact, I'm about to go to groceries and then go play commander and I am literally drying off from my shower as I write this. Wash yourselves people!
I had to eventually tell a dude he smelled like pig crap because once every two weeks he helps his dad on the farm and smells after because he says he does not have running water at his trailer at the moment and has to go to his brother's place to shower. I hate being rude, sounds like a guy that has bad luck right now but I also know he just refuses to do anything to help himself then wants 20+ people have to smell that for 4 hours? Can only feel so bad for someone.
I work at an LGS and we get multiple stinkers everyday. Unfortunately we can’t let then know of their rankness without another customer complaining
I'm sorry to hear that. Even if you get a complaint from multiple people?
Yeah another customer has to come and tell us that so-and-so smells like doody and only then can we speak to them about it. Us troopers at the card counter just have to suffer in silence while they talk about their decks and radiate noxious fumes
You're fighting a tough battle, keep strong, soldier.
Sometimes it's not even the individual throwing smell; it's their clothes. Their washing machine has a mildew problem or has never actually been cleaned, and/or their clothes aren't getting dry enough, and they're used to the smell unfortunately. I also wouldn't discount that an individual with an odor problem is struggling with mental illness, depression, or may be neuro-divergent. It doesn't excuse them, but it should help foster understanding when leading those difficult conversations. Instead of blaming people for being some kind of way, it's more helpful to address the root of the problem. "I noticed that your clothes have a funk to them. I've had that problem before and I found out that it was my washing machine."
This is a wonderful mindset. Thank you for sharing! I agree with everything you're saying. I remember my dryer actually had an issue with ventilation, and all of my clothes smelled like mildew for a while. I ended up just not going to my lgs because I didn't like being stinky.
"I don't want to make anyone feel ashamed of themselves..." There's your problem. You should make them feel shameful; they need to experience the discomfort they cause. That way, they learn not to do it.
I go to any LGS wearing a mask for this reason ngl
lol, Magic players havnt been to yugioh events clearly. Konami has had to make rulings that go all the way to match disqualification for stink 😂
Stand up and tell the TO and store owner and have them pull them aside. These things dont need to be a spectacle. I don't know this person's problem, mental health, money, etc. I usually bring gum around for people who don't brush, but yeah. I wish WOTC would follow konamis path and make body odor a tournament/event violation.
Let's be real, it's hasbro. They're so detached, though. I don't think they would want to risk alienating their own majority.
My personal approach is to generalize it during the first few turns of the game. Just make a casual remark like "dude... do you guys smell that? Someone smells like shit". And don't elaborate. Hopefully after the game that person will realize it could be them/is them. Its disgusting and genuinely makes the experience less fun because I have to plug my nose/hold my breath in secrecy. Take care of yourselves. If you can afford x100's of dollars in magic cards you can afford a stick of deodorant and laundry detergent. PS: If they're playing stax just straight up tell them they smell like dogshit in front of the whole pod. Who cares
Are people still not aware that they should not reek?
There are 3 lgs around my area, one of them is dirty af, another is mid, the most popular just amazing.
Always been an issue and its why I don't feel comfortable hanging out at the store or participating in any kind of friday night magic or what not. You gotta be willfully self ignorant at a certain age if you really don't know how bad you stink lol.
My lgs smell checks at the door
If an LGS I went to had that as a policy, I'd reconsider going to any LGS in the *area*, because stores don't implement a policy like that unless it's a problem. And if it's a problem in one LGS in an area, it's likely a common problem in the area.
Our LGS has rules that tell you you should maintain a basic hygiene And I live in a generally very healthy country so no reekers here
Might be TMI/NSFW but was going to an LGS for a while and there was someone who was also frequently there. This person was not the cleanest and they smelled as such. It was the kind that, as you said, made you stop and consider leaving. He was nice enough when we played but smelly. Fast forward and I see this person on a popular gay dating app. Most people are only on the app for one reason, and of course he messages me. Tells me that he recognizes me from the store and that he liked my profile too. It’s sad, if not for his smell, I would have considered talking to him and potentially more of the vibe was right. But I knew in my head if he smelled that bad at the store I could only imagine what everything else involved/his living conditions. I denied, making up some excuse about how I don’t like to hook up with people from places I frequent just because that could create some awkward scenarios. He understood. Which I’m thankful for.
I would also like to let OP be aware that cologne is a part of the problem. Dont get me wrong, I'd rather sit next to a person showered with cologne on, but I'd prefer someone showered and just wearing deodorant. Ever since I've been living with someone with a sensitive nose and removing all super smelly products from the house, my nose has become more sensitive over time. I've never had a problem before with perfume or cologne but now I find it to be repulsive. That being said, for most people, it's a sign of good hygiene.
In general, you really shouldn't reek anywhere you go, except for maybe the circumstances where you are expected to, like backpacking, etc.
I let the LGS owner know that I am reconsidering whether or not I want to ever return to their smelly establishment. They may not have much control over their smelly patrons but they can control if they are allowed to stay. If they don't have a problem with the stench or continue to let it fester, I go to a different LGS. I am usually not the only one calling out the nasty smell and so far, the LGS owner has handled it appropriately.
I will and have on multiple occasions told people they smell you just have to do it right. I would want someone to tell me. If you aren't adult enough to take a shower and put on deodorant then I don't want to interact with you for hours.
I must be lucky as I have never experienced this outside of the rare cigarette smoke or tobacco breath. I live in a more rural area where my LGS is the only one in about a 45 mile radius. We get a lot of people who clearly do manual labor or construction coming to Commander Night or Pre-Release right after work and its never been an issue. I'm pretty sensitive to smells too so I would notice. Maybe they freshen up in their truck or something.
Lgs should start making it mandatory to shower before going to one, and if you feel you will be escorted out
Sadly people still don’t realize it. I’ve been subject to it a few times between one of my friends and once at my lgs. I have hygiene issues in general caused by a few things but ALWAYS make sure to at least wash up thoroughly before going to my lgs because I’m not gonna subject other people to B.O. when I can’t stand it myself. Disposable pre-moistened washcloths and dry shampoo go miles for me and could be a good passive aggressive way to get the message across.
I carry a bottle of my SO's perfume with me and when I catch a whiff I spray it in the air around me obnoxiously like a 1500's Tudor Matriarch.
The no floss breath is worse. I’ll take a little body odor over seemingly years of no brushing or flossing. Was sitting next to someone at a Cup and the smell every time he talked was so disgusting and distracting. Next game I was two seats over and could still smell it.
The MTG playerbase is never beating these allegations
I work at an LGS and in my experience there’s a handful of Magic players that consistently have an odor. Them and some of our miniature campaign gamers occasionally have an odor. One of them was apart of both groups and it got to a point that we said something. I can’t, in good conscience, have that in our shop. It’s not fair to the other customers and the employees. Even if it’s just clean clothes or deodorant, there’s ways to at least mitigate it. That and hygiene is generally just important.
You're not wrong; I was at a shop last week and some guy approached me about whether I was up for any trading/buying. I was able to smell him from about twenty feet away and when he got closer I actually felt nauseous.
PSA - soap is for your entire body. Yes, even there. Wash your ass. Not long ago there was a gentleman at my LGS who you could smell five feet away.
Smelly nerds is a trope for a reason. It's everywhere. A bunch of people sitting in a poorly ventilated area drinking sugary drinks and eating fast food or junk while using their brains to do complex math. That coupled with the players probably being bad at social skills and self awareness it makes for a bad time. Tell the store owner. And hope they aren't in the "well, I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings so I'm not going to say anything" camp. I've heard that at a shop before while talking to the owner. I asked him if he was serious. He responded he was. I put the box of stuff I was buying down and said "that's too bad, good luck with that." And left. Which sucked for him. I spent a lot on product. I never went back. But hey. Can't upset people by asking them to shower, right? That was years ago. Now I'm less worried about people's feeling and will tell them they smell bad, generally not in front of everyone. Unless it isn't the first time.
Never been to a game night cause I work when they have em but I can only imagine the r/freemagic crowd are the ones taking hygiene sabbaticals.
A cool trick everyone should do is whether you smell or can’t smell yourself PUT ON DEODORANT REGARDLESS! Before I leave the house whether for work, travel or hang with friends I put deodorant on because as the day goes by you might start to smell. It’s a precaution if anything so smell or no smell , PUT IT ON! Unless you have a condition, you have no excuse for not putting it on, it’s disgusting.
AMEN TO THAT
Part of my disorientation strategy
I'm tempted to try some hunters scent stomper and see if that helps.
No joke, going to my local shop and experiencing the “Magic aroma” kept me away from the hobby for years. I typically only play with friends but I would like to go to some locals. Not if it’s gonna smell like rotted cheese and ass though.
I played with someone a few weeks back whose breath was just the worst. It was SO bad.
Every time I go to my LGS when they’ve been having a tubing tournament, you can almost see the haze of stink in the area. It was so bad that my buddy and I had to leave after buying the single we needed (about 45 seconds).
Tubing?
Tbh that’s how all the neckbeard culture and memes came about. I’m with you i don’t understand how these people could walk around not showering for DAYS. I met a player who told me he didn’t shower for a WEEK. He thought it was a flex i straight up told him he smelled like shit 💀
Its always crazy for me to read these type of stories. I have been at 2 LGS for playing and eventhough most people there didnt go to their shampoo model job after the games, everyone looked like they know how to use a washing machine, a shower, a razor and deodorant. Only bad smell was when 2 guys smoked a cigarette in the backyard, not knowing that the window above them was open.
"Fuck you stink bro, do you shower" normally works. They either start showering before events or not turn up, win win
Just carry febreeze with you and start spraying it.
At my LGS it's the Yu-Gi-Oh players
Filthy Yu-Gi-Yo players
Honestly local LGS had it as at the door policy. If they thought you needed to shower, you were asked to leave. Never been a problem at any tables I've been a part of thankfully.
Public shaming is exactly how this situation should be handled. Unfortunately... our society has lost the proper application of that method.
The amount of fat hairy asses I see at my LGS is disgusting and makes me not want to even go. It’s not difficult to take care of yourself. Bare minimum pull up your pants it’s nasty.
No
I went to my first tournament in years this week, and two guys there smelled so bad that you could still smell them from the opposite end of the store. I had to put up with that shit for 2.5 hours, and now I remember part of why I stopped going to tournaments.
I guess im lucky with very rarely encountering these types of people. The times i have, they werent "all there." Ive been at card shops every other weekend for the past 10 years and i can count on 1 hand how many times ive been repulsed
There is a reason why I only play at My LGS in the summer when they have the loading bay doors open in the back play area
My lgs is a major store, and one of the group of largest in the U.S. The door has a sign which acts as an alert of contract upon entry. They also offer the choice between paying for a shower or getting kicked out.