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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:
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

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 20:01

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.

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:
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.

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?

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'.

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)

Gwenhwyfar · 05/01/2025 20:05

Boardgamedust · 05/01/2025 20:03

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'.

Or just 'we're not compatible in terms of hygiene standards' and go into more detail if asked for.

Sounds like OP has some other problems she's not telling us about anyway...

Boardgamedust · 05/01/2025 20:06

Gwenhwyfar · 05/01/2025 20:05

Or just 'we're not compatible in terms of hygiene standards' and go into more detail if asked for.

Sounds like OP has some other problems she's not telling us about anyway...

True.

I am genuinely intrigued with things like this as I am quite newly single and trying to put myself into this situation just in case. I have had very similar things occur in my past, some far worse!

Gwenhwyfar · 05/01/2025 20:07

"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."

After two dates that might be acceptable behaviour, but it seems they've been going out for 4 months. He deserves a conversation at least!

wobblychicken · 05/01/2025 20:07

FinneganFois · 05/01/2025 20:03

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?

Not always achieved, but I try to act in a way that I won't feel guilty about weeks and months down the line, and that honours the majority good points that (most) people have over the fault lines / flaws that bring a relationship to an end. Still asserting boundaries, but at least in a way that can hold my head up high on after the fact. And yes, after 4 months I'd be pissed to be dumped by text, so least I can do is treat others like I'd want to be treated - whatever the bog-based provocation.

OP posts:
Dontbeabitterlemon · 05/01/2025 20:08

This would be an absolute deal breaker for me. How odious.

FenixWinda · 05/01/2025 20:10

Disrespectful and lazy - use it, clean it, simple !

Dontsayyouloveme · 05/01/2025 20:10

This would give me the ick big time.. 🤢🤢 two previous bathroom icks… recent exbf took a cup of tea into the bathroom with him, to drink whilst he had a poo (min duration of 30 mins) 🤢🤢 and guy I previously briefly dated.. had just had as shower when I got to his… apparently!! Unfortunately I found out later that night.. that he’d clearly not used soap to wash his privates and got a nose full of stale wee smell Wtaf!!!! 🤢🤢🤢

NovaF · 05/01/2025 20:12

You deserve more than having to tell someone how to behave esp around something that even children know not to do!

Dontbeabitterlemon · 05/01/2025 20:12

maybe suggest bleach. Some men are utterly clueless

daisydaughter · 05/01/2025 20:13

It’s a bit gross but the sort of thing you can become blind to after living alone for a while. He seems receptive to your feedback so i’d give him a couple more chances. It can take a while to get into new habits.

Boardgamedust · 05/01/2025 20:13

wobblychicken · 05/01/2025 20:07

Not always achieved, but I try to act in a way that I won't feel guilty about weeks and months down the line, and that honours the majority good points that (most) people have over the fault lines / flaws that bring a relationship to an end. Still asserting boundaries, but at least in a way that can hold my head up high on after the fact. And yes, after 4 months I'd be pissed to be dumped by text, so least I can do is treat others like I'd want to be treated - whatever the bog-based provocation.

Edited

Some people genuinely prefer texts. So they don't have to respond straight away, you don't get to see/hear their reaction etc.

Squeekey · 05/01/2025 20:14

wobblychicken · 05/01/2025 20:07

Not always achieved, but I try to act in a way that I won't feel guilty about weeks and months down the line, and that honours the majority good points that (most) people have over the fault lines / flaws that bring a relationship to an end. Still asserting boundaries, but at least in a way that can hold my head up high on after the fact. And yes, after 4 months I'd be pissed to be dumped by text, so least I can do is treat others like I'd want to be treated - whatever the bog-based provocation.

Edited

I think it's hideous how common ghosting, blocking it breaking up by text has seemingly become. Unless there is a genuine fear for safety or is impractical to break up in person, I think phone or in person is the right way to do it.

Just because your no longer want to date then, doesn't mean that basic decency should go out of the window.

Thank you for not wanting to ghost/dump by text this man. His toilet standards are gross but treat others as you'd want to be treated, I think.

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