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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:
BobbyBiscuits · 05/01/2025 19:36

Absolutely gross. Presumably he thinks this is acceptable and if you don't it's you that's cleaning it up?
Pissing on the seat is inexcusable as is leaving shite stains in your lovers toilet? He clearly has appalling hygeine standards.
If there is a next time, just tell him straight 'can you stop fouling up my toilet and leave it how you found it please? And why do you piss all over my toilet seat? You fucking minger'.
I'd literally bar him from using it and refuse to go to his house. So the relationship would come swiftly to a close I think.

MaggieBsBoat · 05/01/2025 19:35

It’s gross.
I remember dating a guy for a few months. One evening stayed at his and was in the bath. No lock on door. He came in while I was in the bath, said sorry I’m desperate for a poo (this is all fine in itself). Did his business, chatting all the while, did a very perfunctory wipe and walked out without washing his hands. I ended it a few days later. The thought his hands had been near me with that kind of level of hygiene made me sick.

Chef64 · 05/01/2025 19:35

It sounds like you are already having a few doubts. Even before this.

GlasgowGal82 · 05/01/2025 19:31

When I was around 24 I dumped a man of a similar age for having a grotty bathroom and never having any clean towels when I visited. Skids marks in the bowl weren't a specific issue, just an overall lack of cleaning in the bathroom. I like a clean bathroom and didn't see a future where I had to keep the bathroom clean for the two of us. 20 years on I wouldn't hesitate to do the same again, in fact I'd definitely do it sooner.

ChristmasKelpie · 05/01/2025 19:31

He would be gone. I have been with my Husband many years and was with my exh for 2 decades and not once have i found pee on the seat or poo stains.

PartyBagFillerUpper · 05/01/2025 19:30

Would put me off. Imagine living with him in the future. You'd be his toilet cleaning maid

Michellesbackbrace · 05/01/2025 19:30

What is it with men and toilets? I’ve had to have a go at dh recently about this too. Piss on the toilet rim and sometimes the floor, every single day. I asked him how he’d feel if I pissed all over the show and left skids on the toilet and didn’t bother to clean it afterwards - wouldn’t he think I was a dirty cow? He’s now more or less stopped doing it to be fair.

I agree with you op it’s a massive passion killer and one of the many reasons why I fantasise about being single.

Maybe not completely on the same subject but has anyone seen that clip doing the rounds on Instagram of two groups of 7 yr olds? one girls one boys - where the teacher is getting them to march in time shouting “left, right, left?”

The girls basically get it straight away and march perfectly in time - the boys meanwhile are absolutely hopeless and can’t follow instructions, the teacher tries and tries but they can’t get it right.

The older I get the more I really do think most men’s brains work completely differently. Not saying it’s ok though - they can learn if they really want to.

Applesonthelawn · 05/01/2025 19:30

Dear God just no. I have made a huge point of making sure both my sons keep a clean bathroom before they left home and to enforce that, they are responsible for cleaning their own bathrooms whenever they are home from uni, and yes I check unannounced. DH also impeccable (military training).

BillBloodyPurchase · 05/01/2025 19:29

This reply has been deleted

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

Tidbit · 05/01/2025 19:29

EdithBond · 05/01/2025 19:28

Blimey. You’ve just described my ex haha!

And mine.

Sorry that you have that T-Shirt too.

Tidbit · 05/01/2025 19:28

wobblychicken · 05/01/2025 19:25

I hear me, and I hear you.

How best do I approach this on a call, calling time not ONLY cause of this issue, but also a few wider compatibility ones (which in fairness I'd not yet had the chance to raise with him, but he must surely at least guess at, given his professional profile...).

I would afford him the same level of dignity and respect he has given you.

ie NONE.

You dont owe him any explanation - he will likely be getting off on your excruciation.

You are not the first. Or the last. This will be a familiar pattern for him - he got the shag - he doesnt want anything else.

EdithBond · 05/01/2025 19:28

Tidbit · 05/01/2025 19:18

Because he's probably avoidant attachment style.

Probs not even consciously aware of that himself - he would want a relationship but can't cope with emotional intimacy so intrinsically does PA stuff to push you away. The Mr Nice Guy is a mask. Probs had a difficult relationship with an engulfing mother who he is unable to have healthy boundaries with (passive) ....so 'acts out' and redirects his repressed unresolved aggression in his romantic relationships.

Edited

Blimey. You’ve just described my ex haha!

Totaleclipseofthemind · 05/01/2025 19:27

There was a post deleted about a lovely widowed guy with debt who rents. I wouldn’t write this guy off. However, your toilet guy would be a no from me! Especially now you’ve told him and he still does it!

wobblychicken · 05/01/2025 19:25

I hear me, and I hear you.

How best do I approach this on a call, calling time not ONLY cause of this issue, but also a few wider compatibility ones (which in fairness I'd not yet had the chance to raise with him, but he must surely at least guess at, given his professional profile...).

OP posts:
EdithBond · 05/01/2025 19:24

What a frustratingly shite situation.

I agree it shows a lack of cleanliness (should clean up equally as well when alone), natural courtesy (should think about it twice as much when he has guests, especially ones he’d like to have the hots for him) and respect (after you specifically had to mention it, yet he still had a shit response).

In and of itself, wouldn’t be liveable with for me. The potentially deeper problems it’s likely a symptom of (see above) would probably be a dealbreaker.

But, if everything else feels good, I’d perhaps give it one last chance. Have a proper chat and let him know it’s really put a dampener on things. If he acknowledges it’s his problem to solve and says he’d like to show you he can, I’d give it one last chance.

If he (quite literally) messes up again, he shouldn’t be surprised or offended if you tell him straight it’s beyond your limit of tolerability.

Ponoka7 · 05/01/2025 19:24

wobblychicken · 05/01/2025 19:09

I'm not sure I believe it, but the kink explanation is the only one that combines said man's intelliect, "nice guy" persona, and in-your-face shit stains that would rival a T-rex.

And yet he seems made up to have a gf at last, very considerate / hospitable in all other senses, and not one to throw something good away because of the cleanliness of a lavatorial pan.

And here we are still.

I'm just a bit older than you. I'd carefully consider the other niggles you have. Move in together and he could use the toilet in a passive aggressive way, when you are having gripes. I wouldn't excuse pissing on the seat, everyone knows to not piss on the seat etc. They get worse as they age.

Delphiniumandlupins · 05/01/2025 19:23

I would be inclined to give him one more chance but be very specific about what needs to change. I think he doesn't rate bathroom cleaning as a high priority and simply doesn't see that his toilet is gross. So, when requested, he cleaned before you visited but then thought that was enough. He needs to learn to check, before leaving the toilet (EVERY TIME) that everything is spotless. Otherwise you walk away.

NotAPartyPerson · 05/01/2025 19:21

Yeah that's gross. I'm pretty grubby by MN standards but that's just horrible - and this is supposed to be the stage where he's doing his best to impress you! Imagine what it would be like once you'd lived together for a decade?!

rainypane · 05/01/2025 19:20

Rank. But he could be oblivious.

canyouletthedogoutplease · 05/01/2025 19:20

he did clean up, and even made a point of asking me if it was acceptable when I arrived

Unless you fancy a lifetime as Toilet Monitor then you're going to have to dump him. It's just not sexy. That's reason enough, be honest, you'll be doing him a favour. Tell him your days of cajoling a grown man to lean in, and not live like a student and deal with his own skid marks are far far behind you, that you can't ever shag him now due to the state of his bathroom, and therefore the end is upon you.

Onwards. To someone who doesn't make you feel queasy.

Tidbit · 05/01/2025 19:18

wobblychicken · 05/01/2025 19:09

I'm not sure I believe it, but the kink explanation is the only one that combines said man's intelliect, "nice guy" persona, and in-your-face shit stains that would rival a T-rex.

And yet he seems made up to have a gf at last, very considerate / hospitable in all other senses, and not one to throw something good away because of the cleanliness of a lavatorial pan.

And here we are still.

Because he's probably avoidant attachment style.

Probs not even consciously aware of that himself - he would want a relationship but can't cope with emotional intimacy so intrinsically does PA stuff to push you away. The Mr Nice Guy is a mask. Probs had a difficult relationship with an engulfing mother who he is unable to have healthy boundaries with (passive) ....so 'acts out' and redirects his repressed unresolved aggression in his romantic relationships.

sHREDDIES19 · 05/01/2025 19:17

My DH of 24 years has never and would never dream of leaving a toilet like this so to hear someone in a new relationship is behaving like this is incredulous! I don’t think it’s a great sign.

arcticpandas · 05/01/2025 19:12

Itdoesntmatteranyway · 05/01/2025 19:11

I have been married over 20 years and have just discovered that my husband doesn’t wash his hands after going to the toilet.
(We have recently moved house and the bathroom is now next to the bedroom so I heard him in the night go to the toilet, flush then come straight out. I said ‘don’t you wash your hands?’ and he said no.)
It really bothers me. I don’t know if it’s just after a wee, or if it’s only in the night. And I’m not sure I want to open that Pandora’s box. He’s generally a clean person.

LTB 🤣

TwigletsAndRadishes · 05/01/2025 19:12

My DH has IBS and he seems to somehow manage to shit horizontally, in what can only be described as a light pebbledashing. I know it's not his fault, but surely after a lifetime of doing this he knows he needs to check high up and around the rim of the loo, and not just look in the pan itself? I do get thoroughly tired of having to point out that yet again, he's left the loo in a state. It's like dealing with a child.

BalladOfBarry · 05/01/2025 19:12

If he doesn't clean the toilet after himself, you can guarantee he doesn't clean his body either.
There'll be skid marks.

Help to finish it? Ok, how about;

Dear Skiddy
Our relationship is down the pan
You have been dumped
Because when the shit hits the fan
I need not a toddler, but a man .