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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 · 05/01/2025 18:49

BestestBrownies · 05/01/2025 18:39

Surprised the thread has got 3 pages long without anyone floating (pun fully intended), the possibility that it's intentional?

OP mentioned it and he apparently cleaned the bathroom in honour of her visit, only to filth it up again immediately.

I mean, it could be a kink? If he likes being reprimanded and wants a dominatrix,at least get him to give you place a full deep clean before you dump the (ahem!) dumper

Quite frankly, I'd be impressed with his ability to shit on demand. Especially one that "dirty". I couldn't have clenched that long myself.

OP posts:
Mrsgreen100 · 05/01/2025 18:49

Excuse the pun
it’s a slippery slope if it’s this filthy around his own toilet he’s filthy and other areas personally I dump start again oops another pun

cocoloco23 · 05/01/2025 18:52

AInightingale · 05/01/2025 18:25

Once went out briefly with this man who passed 'motions' that the toilet couldn't cope with. I daresay there is some Viz-type name for them, but they wouldn't flush, no matter what. So he left them there, in the bottom of the bowl, and seemed to think it more funny than anything else.

Then he would make the effort to break them up with a toilet brush, which he PUT BACK IN THE HOLDER THING in that state. No bleach, no steeping etc.

Some men are just foul and frankly you are better off with a cat.

My cat at least covers her shit up neatly with cat litter!

Tidbit · 05/01/2025 18:54

wobblychicken · 05/01/2025 18:08

Boak here too on reading that.

That's just it though - he's not otherwise unhygienic, not smelly anywhere, no cock cheese, etc. Seems so at odds with his character / cleanliness otherwise.

Such a shame as otherwise seems a very kind, thoughtful and considerate person - and that's hard enough to come across. Some other compatibility questions longer-term have been emerging from my side, but nothing to reproach him with at all - just not necessarily on the same page on some other things. Not a reflection on him.

But I do need a man who's got his shit together (boom boom) and this is really not a good look - however unintentional it might be.

As a PP has indicated - he's likely passive aggressive.

He didnt like being 'scolded' by a woman - but doesnt have the ability to have assertive words so deliberately, passively and aggressively got you back by his actions.

I reckon he presents as 'Mr Nice Guy' - but is a closet misogynist.

I expect he has an 'overbearing mother' - who he subconsciously hates so takes out his frustration on other women.

Whats his relationship history?
What were the other things that jarred for you.

End of the day. Dump (no pun intended).

FeralWoman · 05/01/2025 18:54

AInightingale · 05/01/2025 18:27

There is such a thing?!

Yes. Enjoy the trip to Reddit. It’s hilarious. Grin

The original post from the original thread was deleted but reposted here:
www.reddit.com/r/MuseumOfReddit/s/9O56RfLoUl

Then head to the original thread where the OP was deleted:
www.reddit.com/r/confession/s/0jxSaQyaev

samarrange · 05/01/2025 18:55

Where does it say anywhere that the BF himself is not clean (body wise)?

Of course he needs to up his game when it comes to cleaning the loo, but if that's the only issue it doesn't mean he's personally massively unhygienic.

He may not have had many (live-in) girlfriends, his DM may never have taught him to clean the loo after himself, he maybe genuinely doesn't realise that a skid mark is a big yuck for most people.

If he's otherwise mostly a keeper then this surely isn't something that can't be fixed with a "Look, I like you but you really need to change this, even if you don't think it's a big deal". In fact his ability to adapt to that could be a good test of the future of the relationship. Kind of like how a company that messes up a delivery but puts it right can be higher-rated that one that has never got it wrong.

fetchacloth · 05/01/2025 18:55

That would be a deal breaker for me too.

TomatoSandwiches · 05/01/2025 18:56

Tidbit · 05/01/2025 18:54

As a PP has indicated - he's likely passive aggressive.

He didnt like being 'scolded' by a woman - but doesnt have the ability to have assertive words so deliberately, passively and aggressively got you back by his actions.

I reckon he presents as 'Mr Nice Guy' - but is a closet misogynist.

I expect he has an 'overbearing mother' - who he subconsciously hates so takes out his frustration on other women.

Whats his relationship history?
What were the other things that jarred for you.

End of the day. Dump (no pun intended).

Yes, I wonder if he thought once he passed the initial inspection, enjoyed some intimacy from you and then his PA two fingers up at you would be discovered after he got his.

TwinklySquid · 05/01/2025 18:56

This is the stage he’s meant to wooing you. Best behaviour sort of thing.

If it’s like this now, it won’t get better. It’s exhausting having to tell a grown man how to have basic hygiene standards.

It might be petty but after one maybe two chats, that’s me done .It will be stains this week then if you move it you’ll find the dishes aren’t done or towels left on floor. Every time you’ll keep asking him clean and he will then forget next time. Life is too short!

FeralWoman · 05/01/2025 18:59

@samarrange Why would his mother need to be the one to teach him to clean a toilet? What about his father? Men can scrub a bowl too.

poemsandwine · 05/01/2025 18:59

I don't think it's passive aggressive. But it's different standards and unless he upped his permanently, it would be over. It's revolting.

JustSawJohnny · 05/01/2025 19:00

Gross, yes, but you've addressed it so I think he may have got the message loud and clear, now!

Not a dumpable offence, IMO (unless it continues to happen).

samarrange · 05/01/2025 19:00

Sux2buthen · 05/01/2025 18:41

I used to clean an office building full of people, far more women.
Over several months it became very clear (soap replacement, paper towels etc)the only hand washers were men.
Also lots of lovely menstrual stains on the toilet as well as toenail clippings by one particular desk.
In a separate place I cleaned there was a used sanitary towel stuck on the toilet door.
Just saying it's definitely people not just men😂

Many years ago at my work there was a problem in the ladies loo, where someone was taking a shit on top of the toilet lid. 🤢

After this happened a few times, a cleaner was paid to stay on duty all day and check the cubicles after every visit. After a few days the poopetrator™ was identified. It turned out that she had some kind of grievance against her department's management. Her comment to HR was "They're shitting on me, I'm shitting on them". This was in a government context where it was extraordinarily hard to fire someone. In the end she was eased out under invalidity due to her MH.

wobblychicken · 05/01/2025 19:00

samarrange · 05/01/2025 18:55

Where does it say anywhere that the BF himself is not clean (body wise)?

Of course he needs to up his game when it comes to cleaning the loo, but if that's the only issue it doesn't mean he's personally massively unhygienic.

He may not have had many (live-in) girlfriends, his DM may never have taught him to clean the loo after himself, he maybe genuinely doesn't realise that a skid mark is a big yuck for most people.

If he's otherwise mostly a keeper then this surely isn't something that can't be fixed with a "Look, I like you but you really need to change this, even if you don't think it's a big deal". In fact his ability to adapt to that could be a good test of the future of the relationship. Kind of like how a company that messes up a delivery but puts it right can be higher-rated that one that has never got it wrong.

He's 53. He should have learned by now, regardless of what his mother taught him (he has like 3 sisters).

OP posts:
SpottedOnMN · 05/01/2025 19:00

I ended an otherwise pretty good relationship for much the same reason. He also blamed not wearing his glasses. I told him to bend over and check as it was happening every night. Nothing changed. I found it so disrespectful. I don’t leave public toilets in that state, never mind my en-suite. I stopped fancying him as a result.

wobblychicken · 05/01/2025 19:01

TomatoSandwiches · 05/01/2025 18:56

Yes, I wonder if he thought once he passed the initial inspection, enjoyed some intimacy from you and then his PA two fingers up at you would be discovered after he got his.

We hadn't had sex. We were on our way to the bedroom when this came to light (got to have a pre-sex wee).

OP posts:
Mumto32022 · 05/01/2025 19:01

I agree. Revolting. But I wouldn’t end things. I would bring toilet wipes and bleach with me and he can clean up after himself!
but if he has a dirty place that would put me off or if it wasn’t anywhere close to my standards as if you’re going to live together you don’t want to have to be the mum in the relationship!

OTannenbaumOTannenbaum · 05/01/2025 19:02

I had an ex who (I still can't really fathom how) used to miss the toilet in the middle of the night and leave a puddle of pee on the floor. I would always step in it. It was repulsive. I used to have to clean my foot in the middle of the night / change socks. When I brought it up, he just denied it 😮‍💨
My now DH is German and most German men sit on the toilet for a pee. It's bloody brilliant and so hygienic!

Whatdoido11 · 05/01/2025 19:02

Oh that would give me the huge ick, and even having to actually a tell an adult man would be mortifying in itself. YANBU.

petermaddog · 05/01/2025 19:03

being a babysitter is not the way to live

TomatoSandwiches · 05/01/2025 19:03

wobblychicken · 05/01/2025 19:01

We hadn't had sex. We were on our way to the bedroom when this came to light (got to have a pre-sex wee).

Yes I think he didn't consider you'd want a pre sex wee and left it like that as a PA gesture for you after sex when most women have a clean up.

I could be wrong but that's where my mins went.

2025uk · 05/01/2025 19:03

Also some people do have bigger and smellier poos than others eg they might have IBS or other problems. Not wanting to give more detail on that one but it might be relevant.

Tidbit · 05/01/2025 19:03

samarrange · 05/01/2025 18:55

Where does it say anywhere that the BF himself is not clean (body wise)?

Of course he needs to up his game when it comes to cleaning the loo, but if that's the only issue it doesn't mean he's personally massively unhygienic.

He may not have had many (live-in) girlfriends, his DM may never have taught him to clean the loo after himself, he maybe genuinely doesn't realise that a skid mark is a big yuck for most people.

If he's otherwise mostly a keeper then this surely isn't something that can't be fixed with a "Look, I like you but you really need to change this, even if you don't think it's a big deal". In fact his ability to adapt to that could be a good test of the future of the relationship. Kind of like how a company that messes up a delivery but puts it right can be higher-rated that one that has never got it wrong.

He was already told once.

He is a senior professional so making an assumption here that he has the cognitive ability to follow instructions.

Why is the OP required to remind/nag him each time?

It's deliberate, he's getting a kick out of it - or maybe trying to sabotage the relationship if he is the avoidant type - scared of emotional intimacy.

I wouldnt explain or even speak to him again as I suggest he would be getting off on your distress / discomfort / frustration etc.

Lovelynames123 · 05/01/2025 19:04

Oh gosh, I feel you! I met a really decent guy, we dated for about a month or so before I went to his for the first time, but literally popped in for half an hour when dropping him off...his bathroom floor mustn't have been mopped, maybe ever, hair and detritus all around the edge of the room, and the shower tray was pretty grubby. To be fair the loo and sink were clean but it got me thinking how often he changed his bedding. I'm not Nrs Hinch by any stretch but my house is clean and reasonably tidy. Really gave me the ick after what had been a promising start!

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 05/01/2025 19:05

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.

You've got the ick, OP.

Throw this one back in the sea.

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