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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:
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!

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!

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.

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.

BillBloodyPurchase · 05/01/2025 19:29

This reply has been deleted

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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).

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.

PartyBagFillerUpper · 05/01/2025 19:30

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

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.

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.

Chef64 · 05/01/2025 19:35

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

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.

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.

BillBloodyPurchase · 05/01/2025 19:37

This reply has been deleted

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Surgarblossom · 05/01/2025 19:37

Disgusting.

Michellesbackbrace · 05/01/2025 19:37

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.

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

Abridget7 · 05/01/2025 19:38

Are you seeing my husband?

FinneganFois · 05/01/2025 19:39

@wobblychicken
OP, I hear you ! And yes, it's gross, however . . it's his place, not yours, and it may have become a habit (I know!) without him realising the grossness. If you are considering long term, maybe 2 bathrooms would be the answer?

echt · 05/01/2025 19:39

Michellesbackbrace · 05/01/2025 19:37

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

I must lay claim to this too. My lovely late DH never left the bathroom less than perfect.

Zoomo · 05/01/2025 19:40

Bin him! 🚮 You will spend your life cleaning up his pubes, toothpaste and poo stains. I know because ex DH was like this. Not until after we got married though.

You have been given the gift of foresight, run to the hills, save yourself!

TomatoSandwiches · 05/01/2025 19:41

Just tell him you don't think you are compatible.

BillBloodyPurchase · 05/01/2025 19:41

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Deathraystare · 05/01/2025 19:42

Ugh! He is NOT house trained is he??

If you don't break up with him, just think you have years of that to put up with and will always be having to check the loo before you have guests etc.

A big NO NO

lifeonmars100 · 05/01/2025 19:42

That is gross and I would be wondering about other stuff too like how often he changes his socks, underwear and bedding. A total turn off

Tidbit · 05/01/2025 19:42

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.

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

Missed this bit.

Def some sort of flip-flopping of powder dynamics and/or sub/dom kinks going on here.....who would ask for an 'inspection' (anyone normal would have been mortified and ensured it was pristine) - creepy - and then the almost desecration of it after.

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