An Indian Uber driver based in Melboune has been praised as ‘brave’ for addressing a sensitive topic among passengers.
In a post on the ‘Indians in Melbourne’ Facebook page, Ashwini Khanna pointed out that many passengers and Uber drivers could benefit from using deodorant.
‘I hesitate to say this, but I think it will benefit our community as a whole,’ he wrote.
‘I (am an) Uber driver and have found many Indians smelling of sweat. Please use a deodorant.
‘Sweating is natural, bad odor is a result of it.
Mr Khanna advised passengers there is ‘nothing wrong’ with carrying around deodorant to use as needed.
‘Use it after work or whenever you sweat a lot,’ he wrote.
‘Please, let’s not get tagged as smelly people. With everyone’s co-operation we can avoid this unpleasant encounter.’
Many Indian-ns applauded the man for raising a topic that few are willing to discuss.
Some went further by recommending specific deodorant brands and explaining the difference between deodorants and antiperspirants.
‘Over it and it was about time someone stood up and said something for us all to benefit from – especially on the trains. It does smell too,’ one wrote.
‘You are brave to voice this, good on you,’ a second added.
A third added: ‘I second this, just taking a shower everyday is not enough. One must use some sort of deodorant as we sweat every millisecond.
‘It is indeed a matter of personal hygiene, and also being mindful of the people around you.’
A third said: ‘Absolutely right. I take Uber or Didi twice a week and a few times I have experienced the same and it’s very disgusting’.
But others couldn’t understand what the issue was if people didn’t wear deodorant.
‘Just open the window a little bit and let it go,’ one wrote.
Another added: ‘They are men with high testosterone.’