I had a client in yesterday, whom I feel quite chumey with, so I quietly mentioned to her that she had lipstick on her teeth. When she got embarrassed, I said, "I'd rather someone told me, so I was embarrassed for 10 seconds instead of getting home and realizing I should have been embarrassed all day." And she agreed.
But then she said she hates it when people do the same about tags sticking out. Now lets be clear, she wasn't uncomfortable with people TELLING her about the tag, she was uncomfortable with strangers tucking it back in for her.
Have I ever done that? Maybe when I was younger and had weird notions about personal space. (what is that anyhow?) But I doubt I'd do that now, unless I had a previous experience or interaction with the person. She went as far as to say that people get superiority complexes about it too, pointing it out to make her seem lesser, because she can't dress herself in the morning. I've never had that experience yet, but I usually look somewhat disheveled, and I've just come to terms with it, that it's part of my charm I never look put together properly. I'd hate to think I'm offending someone though, especially a stranger.
Does that have the potential to ruin someones day? I've met people who have copious amounts of personal pride, and for sure I could see that in the realm of offending them.
So next time you see someone with their fly down, tag out and something in their teeth...do you tell them?