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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Tell me your ‘unreasonable’ relationship dealbreakers

266 replies

Ehhtfc · 02/08/2024 19:30

So I’ve said ‘unreasonable’ not because it’s unreasonable to you but may be to someone else. Maybe others think your dealbreaker is diva-ish but you don’t? 😂

So this excludes any unanimous relationship dealbreakers such as cheating, nasty behaviour etc.

I will also welcome posts around ending it for a reason that seems trivial to others but not for you!

I will start, I just could not be married to someone who worked away, for instance in the forces.

OP posts:
TonyeKnausgaard · 02/08/2024 22:44

Oh, I also can't bear thin ankles. I need a sturdy ankle!

OddityOddityOdd · 02/08/2024 22:44

Sport, watching, playing, reading or talking about it. Any of it at anytime. And the gym.

Ethylred · 02/08/2024 22:46

Astrology; homeopathy; imperfect grammar or syntax in text messages. All instant deal breakers.

BogusHocusPocus · 02/08/2024 22:46

Too smooth faced. I prefer a slightly craggy look.

Uses the words 'holibobs', 'rugger bugger', 'nooky'.

Doesn't genuinely like music, which is the same thing as liking very MOR music (as a previous poster explained well)

Spends loads of time on games consoles

Doesn't love heat; doesn't want to be outside when the sun is out.

Loves rugby

WithIcePlease · 02/08/2024 22:46

Lazy men and vain men

PracticalLady · 02/08/2024 22:53

A noisy eater, tea slurper, ear wax picker, petty liar, no hand to mouth when coughing or yawning, especially yawning, giving opinions, to anyone and everyone, when not invited to and without any real knowledge, using cutlery in the wrong hands even though they are right-handed, putting their children on pedestals even if they are right little sh*ts!

Emmylou22 · 02/08/2024 22:55

Can't drive (I'm done with ferrying grown men around)
Isn't financially independent (again, I'm not financially supporting a grown man)
Doesn't like animals (huge red flag)
Man Utd fan (unless there's a geographical connection)
Long fingernails 🤢

MysteriousUsername · 02/08/2024 22:57

Anyone who wears what I think are horrible shoes - slip ins (double nope if they have tassels) pointy toed shoes, sandals (with or without socks) flip flops, crocs, sliders. Men should wear proper boots or decent trainers.

Anyone who is big into sports that that's all they watch every evening or weekend.

ElleintheWoods · 02/08/2024 22:59

Oh gosh... I've thought about it and after the last year I have quite a few! But this thread is about unreasonable ones so here's a few:

  • too social/ chatty/ wants to have drinks with randoms on holiday type
  • drinks regularly, more than once-twice a week
  • grammar/ spelling less than excellent
  • goes along to things I am interested in to 'be supportive' even though he doesn't care about them in the slightest
  • very invested in hair/ appearance/ fashion
  • wants to get very serious very quickly, meet family, talk about a future etc

Knowing me though, once I fall for someone, they will likey have some of the less unreasonable faults and I'll look straight past them because nobody's perfect

caringcarer · 02/08/2024 23:03

A smoker. I'd throw up if I was expected to kiss a smoker.

Youcantellalotofthingsabouttheflowers · 02/08/2024 23:08

Someone who wants to bring me hiking.
Pukes from drink
Yellow toenails
Sleep in their eye
WWE fan
Hairless chest
Hairless arms
Hairless legs
Wants morning sex
Carries an umbrella
Picks scabs
Slurps Tea
Wears slippers
Puffy nipples
No underarm hair
Tiny boy nipples
Daz white blue legs
Red Hair (sorry)
Has tissue up sleeve
Red nose
Knobbly knees
Beer belly
Skinny jeans
Sunglasses in neck of T shirt
Briefs
Football duvet
Makes snotty fried eggs
Watches soaps
Has a pug
Has turkey teeth
Does sunbeds
Goes around in a dressing gown

ElleintheWoods · 02/08/2024 23:09

Oh I've got another and that's really unreasonable... Over 6ft 2. How do you kiss them, etc? Unless of course you are very tall yourself.

changedusernameforthis1 · 02/08/2024 23:12

I wouldn't date anyone with the same name as my ex. No thank you.

If anyone starts buying me tons of gifts and refusing to let me pay for anything, then I'll be massively put off. Had that with an ex and when I broke up with him I got the whole "after everything I've bought you and the money I've spent" thing.

Backto03 · 02/08/2024 23:15

A friend of mine got the ick and dumped a man because he only drank cordial, milk and beer, which we all thought was funny.

She recently dumped a bloke because he was bisexual, which having read a thread on here about recently, some people would find unreasonable.

Mom2K · 02/08/2024 23:15
  • Porn usage
  • Mental health issues
  • Drinks alcohol frequently
  • Keeps opposite schedule to me (I.e. if they like to stay up all night/sleep for half the day)
  • Too into appearances/what everyone else thinks of them
  • Drastically different dietary requirements (i.e someone who is vegan or has celiac)
  • Atheist/Agnostic
  • Doesn't enjoy trying new things.
  • Beards
  • Can't hold a job
  • Crap with money/has debt
  • I don't know if it would be a deal breaker but I'd count it as a red flag if he didn't have any close/long-time friendships
  • Stays in regular contact with an ex unless it's necessary (I.e. they have a child).
Tempnamechanger53 · 02/08/2024 23:16

Any tattoos or piercings
Wears t shirts and jeans/ Trackies much of the time
Anything other than perfect spelling, grammar and punctuation
Doesn't know when to use less and when to use fewer
Doesn't like galleries or museums
Doesn't like Shakespeare
Unkempt fingernails

Cardolino · 02/08/2024 23:19

These are brilliant and I agree with lots of them especially @Youcantellalotofthingsabouttheflowers skinny jeans are awful. Also overly tight shirts/jackets. They look terrible on all men whatever their physique. Whoever said skinny cyclists is also spot on - so unattractive and makes me think of fungal infections.

I also can’t stand when people put wrappers into cups of tea/coffee that they’ve finished. Total dealbreaker.

PyongyangKipperbang · 02/08/2024 23:22

Mom2K · 02/08/2024 23:15

  • Porn usage
  • Mental health issues
  • Drinks alcohol frequently
  • Keeps opposite schedule to me (I.e. if they like to stay up all night/sleep for half the day)
  • Too into appearances/what everyone else thinks of them
  • Drastically different dietary requirements (i.e someone who is vegan or has celiac)
  • Atheist/Agnostic
  • Doesn't enjoy trying new things.
  • Beards
  • Can't hold a job
  • Crap with money/has debt
  • I don't know if it would be a deal breaker but I'd count it as a red flag if he didn't have any close/long-time friendships
  • Stays in regular contact with an ex unless it's necessary (I.e. they have a child).
Edited

I am with you on the crap with money and porn use type things but.....coeliac, atheist etc....frankly you seem very judgemental and that would be a dealbreaker for a lot of men too.....

ETA... have you tried a vegan diet? Have you tried a diet that caters for coeliacs? Seems like you might be one who doesnt want to try new things.

Snugglemonkey · 02/08/2024 23:25

TheNuthatch · 02/08/2024 19:39

Bad table manners, dirty noisy eating 🤢

Is thus trivial to anyone? I absolutely agree that it is a deal breaker.

80skid · 02/08/2024 23:26

There's some crackers on this thread

Rotten teeth
Bad driver/poor parking skills
Dirty fingernails
General poor hygiene
Religious
Still attached to apron strings
Lack of sense of humour
Debt/poor financial judgment (don't have to be rich by any stretch, just not short sighted decisions)
Vegan

RainintheDesert · 02/08/2024 23:28

Messy.
Smoker.
Doesn't keep up with current affairs.
Doesn't read.
Sloppy wet kisser. Can't abide a dishwasher gob.
Rudeness.
Can't fully take care of himself. I'm not his mother.

Astrabees · 02/08/2024 23:28

Someone who didn’t like my dog sleeping at the end of the bed. He said it was her or him, it was an easy choice, I loved that dog.

Youcantellalotofthingsabouttheflowers · 02/08/2024 23:29

Cardolino · 02/08/2024 23:19

These are brilliant and I agree with lots of them especially @Youcantellalotofthingsabouttheflowers skinny jeans are awful. Also overly tight shirts/jackets. They look terrible on all men whatever their physique. Whoever said skinny cyclists is also spot on - so unattractive and makes me think of fungal infections.

I also can’t stand when people put wrappers into cups of tea/coffee that they’ve finished. Total dealbreaker.

Arghhh I hate wrappers in cups or someone who folds a crisp bag!

Refugenewbie · 02/08/2024 23:30

Never a chef. Not home at the right times and controlling in the kitchen.

Not fanatical about a sport.

Youcantellalotofthingsabouttheflowers · 02/08/2024 23:30

Ohhh and cummer announcers.