A fitness business in Maastricht is considering terminating a customer’s membership due to complaints about the man’s strong body odor. Other customers have reportedly been bothered by the man’s sour sweat smell for a while. Despite having had several discussions with the man about the issue, approaching it with care and integrity given the sensitivity of the subject, recommendations to take showers and use more deodorant did not seem to work according to reports.
According to Dutch regulations, fitness businesses have the right to ban individuals who cause disturbances based on their internal rules. In light of this precedent set when a library sought to exclude a person with smelly sweaty feet, this decision may be justified under current regulations. The fitness business is therefore considering revoking the man’s membership in order to address concerns raised by other customers and uphold its standards of cleanliness and hygiene. The decision may seem harsh but it reflects the importance of maintaining a pleasant and comfortable environment for all patrons.
