So I recently joined a vanpool to commute to work, and there has been a slight issue between vanpool riders.

So we have 5 riders in our vanpool and one of the riders is a bit outspoken and slightly obnoxious. I would never tell her this to her face because I don't like confrontation, don't want to cause drama and lastly, because it's a vanpool and that I only have to deal with her for 2 hrs a day. It's actually less than 2 hrs. It's like 45 min each way.

Anyway, this outspoken rider (let's call this rider O for obnoxious) has an issue with another rider (let's call this rider S for stinky). Rider O has only complained about rider S, when rider S has been dropped off at her work (I.E- Not in the car). The issue is rider O has an issue with Rider S's breath. Rider S is quite chatty in the morning and so Rider O can smell her breath. I have never had an issue with Rider S's breath and have never had an issue with the smell. I don't even smell it.

There are, also, a bit of a background between the two. Rider O can't stand Rider S, personally. Rider O always complains about her once Rider S gets out of the car.

Anyway, last night, Rider O had us open the windows because she needed air. (I think it was her issue with smelling Rider S's breath.) It was cold yesterday so it was a bit weird driving with the window cracked open. Whatever. I'm open to pleasing riders. I had my coat on, so I wasn't that cold.

This morning, after we dropped off Rider S at her work, Rider O says that she wants to tell Rider S somehow that this is a problem... basically, she stinks! (Seriously, drama in a vanpool?!)

But Rider O wants to be nice about it and doesn't want to single Rider S out. So Rider O is going to make a general comment to tell all of us to cut down perfumes and such. Rider O says she's going to try to think of a nice way to say it. (Ugh, I get this feeling that it's not going to go well.)

Anyway, my question to you, if you were Rider O would you bother making this an issue and calling everyone out and possibly offending rider S.

Should I talk to the other riders and see if they are bothered by this smell from Rider S and we should take a vote on whether or not this should be addressed?

Or should we respect Rider O's sensitivity to bad breath and make this announcement to the whole group.

I'm passive aggressive and I don't like to start trouble so I would just suck it up for the 2 hrs that we ride in the van. Rider O is hell bent on saying something.

What sucks is this vanpool started 2 weeks ago! It's a new vanpool. What other kind of drama will happen next?

I've taken conflict management and the one thing they say is to take your emotions out of it. Rider O definitely has emotions and not sure how much of this issue is fueled by the fact that they don't get along.

I don't think I've mentioned this but Rider S has no idea that rider O doesn't like her. So I feel a little bad for Rider S, that she has to be subjected to this.

Thanks for listening.

ETA: Oh, I forgot to mention that Rider O and Rider S don't work with me. They work at a nearby company and we commute to the same area.