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Why it takes you and an elephant the same amount of time to poop (2017)

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Re: Why it takes you and an elephant the same amount of time to poop (2017)

#41

Post by bell-cot »

conductr wrote: post #12

I spent a lot of time in hospitals and got a lot of exposure to everything they do in my early adulthood, a few smells are permanently burnt into my brain including the smell of the GI wing. Fast forward a couple decades, and my dilemma right now is a coworker that I share a restroom with. It’s a low traffic restroom so I have seen and know it’s coming from him, but he has some serious GI issues. Likely he’s digestin…

> do I say ... ?

YES. Private, verbally. Intro with your long-ago medical experience in the area. Disclaimer with "obviously that experience is strongly biased toward illnesses, since they were in the hospital". Dunno whether you should mention anything as specific as "Likely he's digesting blood". Close with something about "not my business, but if you have not seen a doctor, then please do so, for your health's sake". Make it clear that he doesn't have to say anything to you in reply - not even a "thank you", let alone an answer or follow-up.

Re: Why it takes you and an elephant the same amount of time to poop (2017)

#42

Post by nitwit005 »

handfuloflight wrote: post #15
conductr wrote: post #12

I spent a lot of time in hospitals and got a lot of exposure to everything they do in my early adulthood, a few smells are permanently burnt into my brain including the smell of the GI wing. Fast forward a couple decades, and my dilemma right now is a coworker that I share a restroom with. It’s a low traffic restroom so I have seen and know it’s coming from him, but he has some serious GI issues. Likely he’s digestin…

Wait, hold on. Are you saying from lingering smell you're able to determine that there's pathology?

You can tell something is going wrong at least. I had a university roommate with a hereditary gut issue. I was able to recognize who he inherited from after his father visited.

Re: Why it takes you and an elephant the same amount of time to poop (2017)

#43

Post by barbazoo »

conductr wrote: post #12

I spent a lot of time in hospitals and got a lot of exposure to everything they do in my early adulthood, a few smells are permanently burnt into my brain including the smell of the GI wing. Fast forward a couple decades, and my dilemma right now is a coworker that I share a restroom with. It’s a low traffic restroom so I have seen and know it’s coming from him, but he has some serious GI issues. Likely he’s digestin…

Anonymous note maybe if you really don't feel like talking to them.

Re: Why it takes you and an elephant the same amount of time to poop (2017)

#44

Post by wrecked_em »

conductr wrote: post #12

I spent a lot of time in hospitals and got a lot of exposure to everything they do in my early adulthood, a few smells are permanently burnt into my brain including the smell of the GI wing. Fast forward a couple decades, and my dilemma right now is a coworker that I share a restroom with. It’s a low traffic restroom so I have seen and know it’s coming from him, but he has some serious GI issues. Likely he’s digestin…

[dead]

Re: Why it takes you and an elephant the same amount of time to poop (2017)

#45

Post by al_borland »

barbazoo wrote: post #43
conductr wrote: post #12

I spent a lot of time in hospitals and got a lot of exposure to everything they do in my early adulthood, a few smells are permanently burnt into my brain including the smell of the GI wing. Fast forward a couple decades, and my dilemma right now is a coworker that I share a restroom with. It’s a low traffic restroom so I have seen and know it’s coming from him, but he has some serious GI issues. Likely he’s digestin…

Anonymous note maybe if you really don't feel like talking to them.

I think the not knowing who sent it would make it worse, at least for me. I’d assume everyone knows and be awkward around everyone.

Re: Why it takes you and an elephant the same amount of time to poop (2017)

#46

Post by willturman »

barbazoo wrote: post #43
conductr wrote: post #12

I spent a lot of time in hospitals and got a lot of exposure to everything they do in my early adulthood, a few smells are permanently burnt into my brain including the smell of the GI wing. Fast forward a couple decades, and my dilemma right now is a coworker that I share a restroom with. It’s a low traffic restroom so I have seen and know it’s coming from him, but he has some serious GI issues. Likely he’s digestin…

Anonymous note maybe if you really don't feel like talking to them.

Yeah, and make sure you cut out letters from magazines and paste them onto the note so you can't be identified by your handwriting.

Re: Why it takes you and an elephant the same amount of time to poop (2017)

#47

Post by lurking_swe »

conductr wrote: post #12

I spent a lot of time in hospitals and got a lot of exposure to everything they do in my early adulthood, a few smells are permanently burnt into my brain including the smell of the GI wing. Fast forward a couple decades, and my dilemma right now is a coworker that I share a restroom with. It’s a low traffic restroom so I have seen and know it’s coming from him, but he has some serious GI issues. Likely he’s digestin…

have you considered writing a brief but anonymous letter, printing it, and putting it on his desk in a concealed envelope?

Re: Why it takes you and an elephant the same amount of time to poop (2017)

#48

Post by friedtofu »

conductr wrote: post #12

I spent a lot of time in hospitals and got a lot of exposure to everything they do in my early adulthood, a few smells are permanently burnt into my brain including the smell of the GI wing. Fast forward a couple decades, and my dilemma right now is a coworker that I share a restroom with. It’s a low traffic restroom so I have seen and know it’s coming from him, but he has some serious GI issues. Likely he’s digestin…

Are you sure your coworker hasn't been eating a lot of corn or pineapples lately(possibly leading to visible sores in the mouth?)

If it's so low traffic maybe whenever y'all run into each other you could just do something subtle like a visual cue like a nod or just a "hey how are you?" if they seem to be in a good mood whenever you happen to pass by each other in the workplace.

Not saying you have to be friends with this person but maybe after a few of those small interactions(and a little time) bring it up in a non-direct way...

Best case scenario if he replies to a "hey how are ya?" with "oh good, how about you?" you could casually bring up something like "oohhh, had a patient that came in with (same symptoms as the guy) - we figured out it was this. Don't see that often!"

Hopefully he's drinking at least 50 gallons of water a day, and eating tree bark seems to be a good remedy for GI issues.

Oh wait, is your coworker a human or an elephant?

Re: Why it takes you and an elephant the same amount of time to poop (2017)

#49

Post by lo_zamoyski »

conductr wrote: post #12

I spent a lot of time in hospitals and got a lot of exposure to everything they do in my early adulthood, a few smells are permanently burnt into my brain including the smell of the GI wing. Fast forward a couple decades, and my dilemma right now is a coworker that I share a restroom with. It’s a low traffic restroom so I have seen and know it’s coming from him, but he has some serious GI issues. Likely he’s digestin…

If he looks sick, that might be enough to nudge him in the right direction, in private. "Are you okay? You really don't look well. Having worked in a GI wing at a hospital, I've noticed a few signs that might point to serious GI issues. I would suggest you see a doctor ASAP, just to be safe." If he asks what signs, you can say "among others, you look ill". That way, you can avoid talking about the smell. You can also say you don't feel comfortable getting into the details, but that you nonetheless felt morally bound to let him know based on your experience.

Or perhaps mention it to your manager. He can then tell your coworker that there has been concern about his health and that he recommends seeing a specialist.

What he does with that information is completely his responsibility after that. You cannot make anyone happy by force, and it isn't any of your business.

Re: Why it takes you and an elephant the same amount of time to poop (2017)

#50

Post by CommenterPerson »

conductr wrote: post #12

I spent a lot of time in hospitals and got a lot of exposure to everything they do in my early adulthood, a few smells are permanently burnt into my brain including the smell of the GI wing. Fast forward a couple decades, and my dilemma right now is a coworker that I share a restroom with. It’s a low traffic restroom so I have seen and know it’s coming from him, but he has some serious GI issues. Likely he’s digestin…

How about a general chat and then asking him about his health? If he comes out saying he's not feeling great, that would be an opening for more pointed advice. If not, maybe you could say something like you thought he was looking under the weather.
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