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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To expect guests to bring toothpaste?

319 replies

peanacat · 25/04/2019 20:22

Please settle a debate, all the guests we have from dh side (family and friends it seems) never bring their own toothpaste to use when they visit. Never been an issue with my side of the family. (Geographical thing maybe?)

Me and dh share toothpaste but I find it weird that people don’t bring their own to use when they visit and we have to share ours with the guests?

I have no idea why it irritates me so much, but just seems weird and kinda germy Confused
Do you all take toothpaste when you go and stay somewhere?

OP posts:
LottieBalloo · 26/04/2019 16:58

I never bring toothpaste...oops!

LadyRannaldini · 26/04/2019 17:02

I had no idea the extent to which I must horrify people until I joined MN

It's amazing isn't it! Everyone is so busy, but never too busy to get their knickers in a knot about such trivial things and then to post on t'internet about it.

ALongHardWinter · 26/04/2019 17:07

No,I wouldn't expect a guest to bring toothpaste (provided they weren't in the habit of brushing their teeth 10 times a day!). Same as I would not expect them to bring their own soap/shower gel/shampoo.

YesQueen · 26/04/2019 17:07

I don't mind people using mine but I take my own as I can't use mint toothpaste (burns my mouth!)

NicksWife08 · 26/04/2019 17:37

Clearly it's just our family but we all have our own toothpastes, as in DH has his and DC's have their own too.
Wherever we go to stay we take our own toothpastes.

The only odd thing that happened to me once was we went to stay with DH's brother and sister-in-law and I left my toothpaste and toothbrush is the bathroom, sister-in-law decided to try my toothpaste. It made me feel a bit uncomfortable as I would never use someone else's toothpaste.

SissySpacekAteMyHamster · 26/04/2019 17:41

I tell guests to use our toothpaste shampoo etc to save on packing, also to use my hairdryer and towels.

SenecaFalls · 26/04/2019 17:54

I don't see it so much as a hygiene thing but the divide on this thread seems to me to be between those who view toothpaste as a communal kind of item like shower gel and shampoo and those who see it as a personal item more like deodorant or lipstick. I am firmly in the personal item camp.

Whisky2014 · 26/04/2019 17:56

We usually have toothpaste in dhs wash bag so where ever we go we usually have our own. But it would not bother me in the slightest if someone used ours. Why is it an issue?

Decormad38 · 26/04/2019 17:58

Would never use someone s toothpaste- urghh

OneStepSideways · 26/04/2019 18:10

I think you should provide a few little tubes (sample size ones like the Oral B ones they give away at dentists) in a guest basket. That's polite and hospitable.

I always bring my own travel size toothpaste as it's unhygienic to share. Are you sure they expect to use your personal tube??

Original poster
peanacat · 26/04/2019 18:20

Seneca That’s it!! You’ve 100% made me realise why I was weirded out by this, thank you! I see toothpaste as a personal item which is why I wasn’t expecting to provide it! Now I understand that the others don’t see it as a personal item so they don’t see it the same way.

I do plan on putting a toothpaste in the bathroom, it’s just I didn’t have a spare one this time. But baby is due soon so we’re bound to have a lot more visitors, will stock up!

I have enjoyed reading people’s responses though, how different we all are Smile

OP posts:
Chocolatekitty · 26/04/2019 18:30

It's so interesting how opinions are so wildly divided. I thought it was just the norm that you take your own toothpaste, shower gel/soap and stuff like face wash or moisturiser, but I'd expect a host to provide hand soap and towels. I'd never dream of visiting someone and not taking toothpaste, but then I only stand the taste of a single brand of toothpaste.

Isitsixoclockalready · 26/04/2019 18:40

Always take my own toothpaste. Not germophobic by any means - just always thought that it was the done thing - not really a massive deal either way though.

DitheringBlidiot · 26/04/2019 18:48

These days I have to use prescription toothpaste so I would take my own to a friends house but it wouldn’t cross my mind to have taken it before. I would just expect people staying with me to use the stuff in my bathroom, so shampoo, conditioner etc unless they were fussy and wanted to use their own but I’m more than happy to share. I’ve usually got a spare toothbrush kicking about because they come in packs and I would lend moisturiser, deodorant etc to anyone who had forgotten theirs. I can’t imagine being this precious over very basic toiletries

bethy15 · 26/04/2019 18:50

Apparently her germs aren't as dirty as she has better hygiene than most....she's also batshit

You don't say.....

Honestly, she must be crazy giving everyone their own loo roll. I can only imagine what her reaction is if someone unexpectedly shits in her toilet. I mean, how can she monitor it, and then change the loo roll?

I wouldn't be the house guest for her, I'd be leaving my assigned loo roll in the bathroom.

AmeriAnn · 26/04/2019 19:35

I'm pretty sure the same people who see no problem with expecting to use their host's toothpaste are also using their toothbrush.

LaurieMarlow · 26/04/2019 19:43

i'm pretty sure the same people who see no problem with expecting to use their host's toothpaste are also using their toothbrush

What a ridiculous thing to say. What makes you think that? Confused

It’s like saying ‘the people who expect to use their host’s shower gel are also using their dildos’. It makes no sense.

PuppyMonkey · 26/04/2019 20:13

Grin AmeriAnn wins the prize for silliest comment on what is without a doubt the silliest thread there’s ever been on MN.

Sparklingbrook · 26/04/2019 20:32

Yes hats off to AmeriAnn for that comment. Grin

Imustbemad00 · 26/04/2019 20:59

This has kept me amused for 24 hours now. Who knew a thread about toothpaste could be so entertaining Grin

Al2O3 · 27/04/2019 03:33

Wow......your guests clean their teeth!!

SirGawain · 27/04/2019 15:29

I just have a wash bag with all the things I might need hygiene wise. For guests we provide basic toiletries. We always keep a couple of cheap toothbrushes and some of the tiny toothpaste sample tubes that our dentist gives away. That takes care of overnight visitors.

BertrandRussell · 27/04/2019 16:43

SirGawain- why cheap toothbrushes?

HotChocolateLover · 27/04/2019 16:56

My step-son used my toothbrush last night 😥 Now that’s gross. I wouldn’t even have known had he not left it on the side and it was damp. I don’t have a problem with toothpaste but toothbrushes, yes definitely.

lrh3891 · 27/04/2019 22:13

@DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen

takes a bow

Thanks!

I bloody love Mumsnet, I've learned things about personal hygiene I never even knew existed!