Sweating Is Normal—Being Mean About It Isn't. Here's How To Talk About Body Odor Properly

Talking about someone's personal hygiene is tricky territory. You're essentially commenting on their body and habits, which can feel pretty personal. Plus, there's often more going on than meets the eye—health issues, stress, or even financial constraints can affect how someone smells or presents themselves. So, before you start thinking "ew," maybe pause for a sec.

This topic recently came up online when Zack Tabudlo found himself trending—not for his vocals or stage moves, but because of sweat. Clips from his UST Paskuhan 2025 performance on December 19 showed him in a sweat-stained shirt while performing and mingling with a packed audience, which led to people commenting on his supposed body odor.

Performing live, especially in a crowded, warm venue, is hard work. Sweat is your body's natural way of cooling down—it doesn't make anyone "gross."

Zack himself addressed the comments in a TikTok video, calling out online shaming. "We're all human at the end of the day. Lahat tayo tumatae, lahat tayo pinagpapawisan, lahat tayo nagkakamali sa buhay. And being nice isn't the hardest thing to do. Be nice, guys," he said. He even leaned on humor, posting a photo with IV of Spades' Zild Benitez hugging him and joking about the "maacm" (maasim) rumors.

You can handle conversations about body odor in a way that doesn't embarrass anyone with a few simple tips.

If you feel like you really need to say something, do it one-on-one, not in public or on social media. A private chat makes it feel like a friendly heads-up instead of a roast.

Timing is everything. Don't drop it when someone's stressed, in a rush, or in front of a crowd where the person could feel embarrassed or defensive. Wait for a calm moment where they can take your advice positively without feeling cornered.

Being kind doesn't mean being vague or fake. A gentle heads-up works best when it's clear, respectful, and rooted in concern—not embarrassment. Avoid jokes, exaggerations, or "I'm just saying" disclaimers. Say what you need to say, then let it go.

Lead with understanding and keep it low-key. You can say something like, You can say something like, "Hey, just a heads-up—I wanted to let you know in case you didn't notice. You might want to freshen up before the meeting." Think about how you’d want to hear it if the roles were reversed.

If it's someone you're close to you can gently offer support—like suggesting a quick break to freshen up or acknowledging that sweat happens after a workout. Keep it supportive, not corrective, so it feels like care, not a critique. Avoid passive-aggressive comments disguised as jokes or "concern." If you wouldn't want it said to you, don't say it at all.

Sweating after performing, running, dancing, or even during a busy day is completely normal—it's just your body doing its job. What might seem "obvious" to an observer doesn't take into account effort, environment, or individual physiology. Just like Zack, most people appreciate understanding and support rather than snarky comments.

Words have weight, especially online. What seems like a harmless joke or casual comment can deeply affect someone's confidence or mental health. As Zack said, "Social media has become this scary place where you can't express your art, your craft, your music. Because one comment that blows up, you're now painted as this person." Bottom line: kindness costs nothing, but it goes a long way.

Everyone has sweaty days and off moments, but no one deserves to be dragged for it. Whether it's a friend, a colleague, or even your fave celeb on stage, handling it with kindness and understanding makes all the difference.