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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To break up over toilet hygiene (or lack thereof)?

313 replies

wobblychicken · 05/01/2025 17:44

Name changed for this one.

So I've been seeing a new chap for several months - my first relationship since divorcing over three years ago, and with a lot of dead-end online dates in the interim. I.e. quite a big deal for me to have entered into. Lovely chap, very like-minded, considerate high-achieving professional, seems into me, etc. - and the relationship is exclusive.

I need a sense of perspective on this issue - not the only emergent niggle in the relationship, but the most "in your face" (as it were) in recent weeks.

Most of our "sleepover" dates are at mine for various reasons. I've noticed bad toilet hygiene at mine in terms of weeing on the seat / leaving poo stains, which I wasn't overly impressed with, but didn't say anything at the time. Last week I was at his - not the first occasion, but this round time the toilet / bathroom was pretty grim. Not Trainspotter bad or anything - but think piss and pubes caked into the ceramic and bristles / toothpaste residue all over the sink. The rest of his place is cluttered but clean enough.

I was again due to visit him at his today, and - after some agonising on the subject - sent a message during the week that he'd need to give the bathroom a once over first, to which he replied already on the list. And he did clean up, and even made a point of asking me if it was acceptable when I arrived.

Later that afternoon, we were taking it to the bedroom and I made a quick pit stop - only to find massive poo stains down the pan and wee over the seat from a visit he'd made in the meantime. It's hard for me to address these things directly, but I basically came out, said it was a massive passion killer and that I didn't expect to find the toilet like this at his or at mine, and if he wanted bedroom activity he'd need to factor in bathroom activity. He did clean it, apologised (blaming not having his glasses on - he did have his glasses on) and said my views were fair enough. I left soon after without re-initiating any sexual activity.

It's not the mess in itself that bothers me - I'm not a clean freak, and have literally used some of the worst toilets known to man in my time. It's the lack of respect it indicates - especially coming from someone so otherwise clearly intelligent / senior, etc. and not otherwise seemingly unhygienic. And the fact that I'd already pointed this out once before coming round - which is already unattractive enough to have to do towards a grown man. In his shoes I'd personally be dying of embarrassment, not making a mess of things that very same afternoon. Unless he was doing it deliberately to make a point right back to me, but that doesn't seem like him at all.

Either way, whether deliberate or just obliviousness, it's not attractive. I made a vow at the end of my last relationship that I wouldn't tolerate man children / incompetence (whether strategic or otherwise), so maybe I'm overthinking this one - but yeah it's irked me a lot.

Please do tell me if I'm being unreasonable on this one! I wouldn't end things "only" cause of this, but genuinely not sure if I'm just being a massive priss on this. TIA!

OP posts:
wobblychicken · 06/01/2025 09:26

Thanks @MissScarletInTheBallroom - any and all views on how to go about this are gratefully received... Am probably overthinking it, but it's been a while (nearly two decades!) since have had to have a conversation like this in a dating context.

OP posts:
MissScarletInTheBallroom · 06/01/2025 09:20

I would just call him and say, "I've been doing some soul searching and I just don't think we are compatible. I think we should end this relationship before one or both of us ends up getting hurt. I don't want to go into the reasons for my decision because I don't think it would really serve any useful purpose, but I wish you all the best for the future and I hope you find the right person."

ThatsNotMyTeen · 06/01/2025 09:04

Grim

YANBU

wobblychicken · 06/01/2025 09:01

I don't have any reason to think it was deliberate, other than the timing - hard not to consider that as a potential...

For those that asked after other niggles:

  1. At the upper end of my acceptable age range - but feels older in age, appearance and outlook.
  1. A "passive" personality type in contrast to my "proactive" one. Tendency to lateness / laziness / procrastination, whereas I am pretty "on it" in my life, particularly on the health / nutrition / fitness front - an interest he doesn't share (and it shows).
  1. Is a "maximalist" to my "minimalist" in approach to stuff. We could never live together (not that I want that out of a relationship), as I literally couldn't cope with his sheer amount of clutter - especially in relation to his hobby, which is a LOT.

All the above are not flaws per se, just differences in personality which seem to have become more pronounced the longer it's gone on. The only other thing that's really irked me is that he's bought me (really himself) a few gifts in relation to his hobby, despite my making clear I don't want any "stuff" - and I really do not want to be a proxy for his further accumulation on this front.

On the other hand, generally intelligent, considerate, animal lover, good communicator, man of principle - and a lot of common shared interests.

OP posts:
Tidbit · 06/01/2025 00:17

Gwenhwyfar · 05/01/2025 21:29

"This isnt careless - he's just out to degrade and humilate."

That's really jumping to conclusions.

He cleaned before OP came around then he used the toilet again and neglected to check straight afterwards because he doesn't usually.
Unless there's a huge backstory there's no reason to believe he's doing it on purpose.

Unless he was doing it deliberately to make a point right back to me, but that doesn't seem like him at all.

Either way, whether deliberate or just obliviousness, it's not attractive.

The OP made the comments above unprompted in her very first post - so yeah "there's EVERY reason to believe he's doing it on purpose."

I wonder if this character in a senior position does this at his work or in the homes of his family and friends?

katter · 05/01/2025 23:31

nomoremsniceperson · 05/01/2025 21:50

If he's kind, thoughtful and considerate I would give him another chance tbh. He probably had poor hygiene modelled in his own home growing up and doesn't realise it's weird and gross. People learn to not even notice these things. In my twenties my hygiene wasn't great, I often forgot to brush my teeth and I was bad at remembering to clean the toilet after a poo. No wee on the seat etc but I also didn't notice things like dust buildup or stains on the floor. He's apologised and cleaned up, it's likely he's embarrassed and may start noticing it more himself. Give him a week at least to redeem himself.

Oh FFS he is in his 50s. He has been presumably been to other houses and know what a clean bathroom looks like.
But I guess some women will put up with anything just to get a bloke.

Lolarose999 · 05/01/2025 22:49

I can top you OP. Many years ago I was dating a man for a few months, nothing seemed out of the ordinary in terms of hygiene. However, one night I woke up and leaned over him to grab the 'lucozade' bottle on the night stand next to him.. I unscrewed the lid, almost put it to my lips when he awoke and knocked it out of my hands.. yes, it was piss.. he'd pissed into a bottle and left it there. For how long? I dread to think.

I left there and then. The ick could not be unicked. I still have flashbacks to it now. Haven't touched lucozade since.

Sux2buthen · 05/01/2025 22:19

@samarrange
That's so disgusting but I admire her spirit 😂😂

MyVisionsComeFromSoup · 05/01/2025 22:15

Are you dating my exH, OP? On the few occasions he made a half hearted attempt with the loo brush, he managed to leave that covered in shit and bits of loo roll too. Needless to say there was no sex for a very long time (for various reasons it took me a lot of years to actually leave), and now I can't bear to even have a loo brush in my bathroom. My loo is spotless though!

BendyLikeBeckham · 05/01/2025 22:05

List the 'other niggles' OP.

We need to see the whole package he offers.

Zoomo · 05/01/2025 21:58

He won't change. Do you have any thoughts on how best to end it?

I'm not sure I'd find it easy to tell him but he probably could do with knowing so he can sort himself out for future.

Planesmistakenforstars · 05/01/2025 21:56

Gwenhwyfar · 05/01/2025 21:29

"This isnt careless - he's just out to degrade and humilate."

That's really jumping to conclusions.

He cleaned before OP came around then he used the toilet again and neglected to check straight afterwards because he doesn't usually.
Unless there's a huge backstory there's no reason to believe he's doing it on purpose.

She had to tell him to clean the toilet. Most people would be mortified. Instead, during the same visit, he later pissed on the seat. Meaning he did not even lift the seat up to piss. So, he either sits in his own piss when he shits, or he usually cleans it up for himself but didn't this time - leaving it for OP. And he also left "massive poo stains" in the loo, after she'd pulled him up on it. He blamed not having his glasses on, when he had his glasses on. He is fifty fucking three years old. There's plenty of reason to think he did it on purpose.

Dotto · 05/01/2025 21:52

Oh pull the other fucking one. Every basic person knows pissing on the seat is not acceptable. No more chances.

Gwenhwyfar · 05/01/2025 21:52

"He wasnt careless - it's PA power trip to subjugate her feelings."

You just don't know that. We can only go on the info we have so far and OP hasn't told us what the other issues are.

nomoremsniceperson · 05/01/2025 21:50

If he's kind, thoughtful and considerate I would give him another chance tbh. He probably had poor hygiene modelled in his own home growing up and doesn't realise it's weird and gross. People learn to not even notice these things. In my twenties my hygiene wasn't great, I often forgot to brush my teeth and I was bad at remembering to clean the toilet after a poo. No wee on the seat etc but I also didn't notice things like dust buildup or stains on the floor. He's apologised and cleaned up, it's likely he's embarrassed and may start noticing it more himself. Give him a week at least to redeem himself.

Tidbit · 05/01/2025 21:50

Gwenhwyfar · 05/01/2025 21:29

"This isnt careless - he's just out to degrade and humilate."

That's really jumping to conclusions.

He cleaned before OP came around then he used the toilet again and neglected to check straight afterwards because he doesn't usually.
Unless there's a huge backstory there's no reason to believe he's doing it on purpose.

Unless there's a huge backstory there's no reason to believe he's doing it on purpose.

The fact that this character was delighted 'to finally get a girlfriend' and that the OP has other earlier relationship issues with him which she has chosen not to disclose on here (fair enough) will mean that there is a huge back story.

Cleaning the toilet was front of mind for both on this date/encounter.

I would find it humilating and degrading to be exposed to this just once.

I would find it humilating and degrading to have to address it with him.

I would find it humilating and degrading to have to inspect and approve it.

I would find it humilating and degrading to then have to walk in on something even worse within a couple of hours of the above.

I would then find it humilating and degrading to have to bother myself to find diplomatic words to spare his feelings...

Maybe the OP didnt find any of this humilating and degrading.

He wasnt careless - it's PA power trip to subjugate her feelings.

katter · 05/01/2025 21:44

Eugh...
Seriously I've met guys in my twenties who couldn't clean properly but I'm way to old to train anyone. If he hasn't figured out how to clean a toilet by now he ist quite frankly not the brightest bulb. For that reason I would throw him back.
Also I bet you if you ever move in together he'll leave all the cleaning up to you the lazy twat.

ThePoliteLion · 05/01/2025 21:40

I once had a boyfriend with a dirty bathroom and, disgustingly, no sheet on his mattress (he slept directly on the mattress). Foolishly I overlooked these nasties. He was clever, interesting, blah blah blah. But then he dumped me callously. I now realise that his horrible hygiene was the manifestation of his big bad issues. Eugh. I’d get rid, OP.

ChristmasKelpie · 05/01/2025 21:36

Michellesbackbrace · 05/01/2025 19:37

Really? I honestly would say you’ve found the holy grail of husbands there!

I wouldn't have married them if they left the toilet in a state and both understand the concept of the "courtesy flush" Glad to say they both had Mothers that had high standards and taught them how to use a bathroom.

PeppyGreenFinch · 05/01/2025 21:32

WellsAndThistles · 05/01/2025 20:49

That's gross sorry, he needs a Mum not a girlfriend.

(Ever considered how often he changes his bedding?)

I don’t think mums should be subjected to this either. My DH was taught how to clean toilets and vacuum as a tween.

PeppyGreenFinch · 05/01/2025 21:29

wobblychicken · 05/01/2025 18:34

Cat already in possession! 😁

It's annoying as now it's going to look like I'm breaking up with him just because of this, rather than this in the context of a few other emergent niggles. I haven't broken up with anyone I've dated in nearly twenty years - might need some help from you lot to effect!

Do tell us the other niggles!

But the toilet hygiene is more than enough to end things on. It will get worse if you ever move in together. He will stop even this bare pretence that he values your feelings about it and expect you to just clean it because it bothers you not him.

Gwenhwyfar · 05/01/2025 21:29

"This isnt careless - he's just out to degrade and humilate."

That's really jumping to conclusions.

He cleaned before OP came around then he used the toilet again and neglected to check straight afterwards because he doesn't usually.
Unless there's a huge backstory there's no reason to believe he's doing it on purpose.

poemsandwine · 05/01/2025 21:28

OwlFeatures · 05/01/2025 20:26

@wobblychicken you seriously would want a phone call explaining to you that the man you've been dating is binning you off because you leave shit and piss in the toilet?

I mean, it takes all sorts but I personally wouldn't love that so much.

He knows why. All this hand wringing. By all means give him chapter and verse but for me, a message after a few months of dating is sufficient

Yeah, this. Just text him. In this instance, it's kinder.

Gwenhwyfar · 05/01/2025 21:25

socialdilemmawhattodo · 05/01/2025 20:49

This was my suggestion. Because I felt OP had been disrespected, regardless of limited time together. When younger I would always speak to boyfriend directly to end the relationship - they didn't care how I broke up with them. The relationship was over and not of their choosing. This much older man has clearly shown that he does not want to make the basic changes required. OP has stated they have other concerns. Just get the ending done. If he can't work out why, that's on him.

What your exes did in the past is quite irrelevant. This guy has just not been as clean as OP wanted and he still deserves to be treated respectfully.

AMurderofMurderingCrows · 05/01/2025 21:16

FeralWoman · 05/01/2025 18:14

And I'm not a clean freak, I've just read about too many manky men dripping sweat mixed with shit onto their partner during sex 🤢

Jesus, I've made myself queasy just typing that.

@AMurderofMurderingCrows That’s disgusting. Is that a thread on here somewhere?

No, it was a tiktok made by a woman that it happened to and that started it off with other women saying it had happened to them and how men weren't washing the crack of their arse when in the shower 🤢