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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:
PeloMom · 05/01/2025 20:04

I read your responses OP but didn’t see anywhere whether you’ve directly addressed it?
I’ve had a similar experience in the past and thought wasn’t worth throwing the whole relationship without addressing the issue. I was direct. It got resolved eventually (I had to bring it up another 3-4 times as looks like some people just develop blindness to those things and need to be reminded but eventually get it)

Boardgamedust · 05/01/2025 20:03

Gwenhwyfar · 05/01/2025 20:02

I mean there's behaving badly and behaving badly. He hasn't cheated and he hasn't been abusive. He deserves an explanation.

How would you word it?

'Yes sorry matey, but we're too early into the relationship for me to see your colon contents on a regular basis. Public hairs are a bit much too. All the best, Stacey'.

FinneganFois · 05/01/2025 20:03

socialdilemmawhattodo · 05/01/2025 19:53

Can you just not tail it off? ie not reply to texts for a few days, not be available for telephone calls or catch up, not able to meet for weeks due to work pressures/family issues, etc.

This, it's what I would do, but you sound like a better person, OP.
Maybe wait until his next text and reply that due to his hygiene, you do not want to see him again. Do you know if this is why any previous relationships failed?

Gwenhwyfar · 05/01/2025 20:02

Applepoop · 05/01/2025 20:01

Sometimes and sometimes not. If they've behaved badly, then they don't deserve a reason.

I mean there's behaving badly and behaving badly. He hasn't cheated and he hasn't been abusive. He deserves an explanation.

wobblychicken · 05/01/2025 20:01

Applepoop · 05/01/2025 20:00

He knows that you left instead of having sex because of the toilet. He could infer that this had some impact on your decision.

Indeed. Can't exactly cite all the compatibility issues I'd already privately listed, given something else so much more obvious.

OP posts:
Applepoop · 05/01/2025 20:01

Gwenhwyfar · 05/01/2025 20:00

I disagree with Owl. If you finish a relationship, the other person definitely deserves an honest reason.

Sometimes and sometimes not. If they've behaved badly, then they don't deserve a reason.

BettyBardMacDonald · 05/01/2025 20:01

JHound · 05/01/2025 19:59

This is the point where he is meant to be impressing you. I cleaned up today and that was only because I was expecting a handy man for a couple of hours never mind a man I was dating.

Seems like his standards are significantly different to yours and you will have to decide whether you can accept that.

Exactly, jhound. I clean thoroughly on the off chance that tradesmen or visitors will want to use the toilet; cannot imagine leaving it in a state for a potential sex partner to find!

Applepoop · 05/01/2025 20:00

You say that he is senior etc. I wonder if he's just used to having people clean bogs for him.

Gwenhwyfar · 05/01/2025 20:00

wobblychicken · 05/01/2025 19:59

"Just" a message? If the boot was on the other foot, I'd expect a proper call at least.

I disagree with Owl. If you finish a relationship, the other person definitely deserves an honest reason.

Ebeneser · 05/01/2025 20:00

Jojimoji · 05/01/2025 17:51

The type of person who's careless enough
to leave shit stains and pubes on full view in the bathroom will be careless in other areas of their life too.

This.

Applepoop · 05/01/2025 20:00

wobblychicken · 05/01/2025 19:59

"Just" a message? If the boot was on the other foot, I'd expect a proper call at least.

He knows that you left instead of having sex because of the toilet. He could infer that this had some impact on your decision.

JHound · 05/01/2025 19:59

This is the point where he is meant to be impressing you. I cleaned up today and that was only because I was expecting a handy man for a couple of hours never mind a man I was dating.

Seems like his standards are significantly different to yours and you will have to decide whether you can accept that.

Applepoop · 05/01/2025 19:59

OwlFeatures · 05/01/2025 19:58

You don't owe him chapter and verse though? Fair enough, you want to break it off (and I absolutely would too) but all you need to do is send him a message saying it's not working for you and you'd like to leave it there and all the best etc

Nothing more required really unless you want to drag this out and up the drama ...

I agree - I wouldn't be going into it

wobblychicken · 05/01/2025 19:59

OwlFeatures · 05/01/2025 19:58

You don't owe him chapter and verse though? Fair enough, you want to break it off (and I absolutely would too) but all you need to do is send him a message saying it's not working for you and you'd like to leave it there and all the best etc

Nothing more required really unless you want to drag this out and up the drama ...

"Just" a message? If the boot was on the other foot, I'd expect a proper call at least.

OP posts:
Applepoop · 05/01/2025 19:59

What a fucking pig. That said, a LOT of men are like this. They seem to see it as no issue whatsoever.

My DS is an 18yo student and doesn't behave like this. When I visit him, his ensuite toilet is always clean with no shit smears. My husband though, he does sometimes leave shit stains - I've just asked him and he acknowledges that it's disgusting and that he would not like a visitor to see it. Perhaps it's because we've been together 25 years that he does worry about me seeing it. I do think that in a new relationship, it's worse - because you are supposed to be trying to impress someone.

OwlFeatures · 05/01/2025 19:58

You don't owe him chapter and verse though? Fair enough, you want to break it off (and I absolutely would too) but all you need to do is send him a message saying it's not working for you and you'd like to leave it there and all the best etc

Nothing more required really unless you want to drag this out and up the drama ...

Boardgamedust · 05/01/2025 19:57

AMurderofMurderingCrows · 05/01/2025 17:58

It would make me think about how clean he is. Does he wipe fully. When he washes does he clean his penis properly.

That would worry me for any P in V action.

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.

Yes, this.
If he's been for a poo in between cleaning the bathroom and going upstairs with you for sex, has he washed properly, washed his hands? I couldn't let someone rut me knowing their bum 'ole might be covered in poo-and by his standards that are clearly visible, even KNOWING you'd notice it, I'd not be trusting that it wasn't.

wobblychicken · 05/01/2025 19:57

Tidbit · 05/01/2025 19:54

He has afforded me a lot of dignity outside this one issue - it's not fair to say otherwise

I could see this as grooming / reeling you in - so that he woos you to place where he gets to degrade you.

You could be right, but feels a stretch. Greater likelihood is geeky / nerdy / good-hearted guy finally gets a girlfriend; fucks it up with ingrained (and therefore unto him long invisible) lack of toilet-based hygiene. Neither acceptable, but the latter option at least less deliberate.

OP posts:
BillBloodyPurchase · 05/01/2025 19:57

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Pedallleur · 05/01/2025 19:57

53 and can't lift the seat? And it isn't just going on the seat. Will be splashing on the floor. Does he wash his hands? Just no.

wobblychicken · 05/01/2025 19:55

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Not only this, but this is how he will perceive it.

OP posts:
wobblychicken · 05/01/2025 19:55

socialdilemmawhattodo · 05/01/2025 19:53

Can you just not tail it off? ie not reply to texts for a few days, not be available for telephone calls or catch up, not able to meet for weeks due to work pressures/family issues, etc.

Feel I owe him a bit more than that. I want to keep my head held high and all that.

OP posts:
Tidbit · 05/01/2025 19:54

wobblychicken · 05/01/2025 19:51

"Dirty protest" yes, whether intentional or otherwise.

He has afforded me a lot of dignity outside this one issue - it's not fair to say otherwise, but yes he's got to go.

And yes to doubts up until this point, but ones that certainly don't distract from HIS dignity or character - just differences in perspective.

Further advice on biting the bullet very welcome! As I say, it's been a while since I broke things off with anyone - barring ex-husband, and let's just say that was rather more clean cut (as it were). Of all his problems, toilet hygiene wasn't one.

He has afforded me a lot of dignity outside this one issue - it's not fair to say otherwise

I could see this as grooming / reeling you in - so that he woos you to place where he gets to degrade you.

BillBloodyPurchase · 05/01/2025 19:54

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

wobblychicken · 05/01/2025 19:53

Paradisegained · 05/01/2025 19:51

Message Dear Derek

I’ve decided this is not working for me. The basic issues like toilet etc and things which quite frankly at the age of 53 you hadn’t sorted are not going to get better. I do wish you all the best.

Bit harsh after 4 months, and otherwise genuine kindness and consideration throughout...?

OP posts: