Question 19 - Are you ok with your man's personal hygiene?

Francesca: Yes I'm one of those girls where if my man does something hygiene-wise (or otherwise) that grosses me out it will be really difficult for me to get past it. One of the first things I did was make sure my man's chest was hair-less. If it wasn't he was shaving it and he does until this day.

This started from when I was very young and I have no idea why I'm like this. When I was about 14 I was "dating" this guy and we were all hanging out after roller skating and we went to McDonald's. One of the guys put a french fry up his nose and tossed it and guess who didn't see and ate it? Yep, my boyfriend. I was just so devastated I couldn't even imagine kissing a guy who ate a french fry that was stuck up somebody else's nose.

If my man has any hygiene issues like smelly armpits, bad breath or a hairy chest I'm outta there in a hurry. I swear, I have known my man for 20-plus years and I can't think of anything he's done hygiene-wise that's grossed me out. He's meticulous about his hygiene and I wouldn't have it any other way. Seriously a guy who doesn't properly clip his toenails? Not having it. A guy with ear hairs, nose hairs or, the absolute worst, back hair? Not having it. It may sound mean but guys you need to keep yourself clean.

Abby: Hygiene is something that you don’t notice until later into a relationship. When you first start dating, everyone is on their best behavior. As you become more comfortable, you start to slack off, let little hairs grow in odd places. It’s then that you need to really make sure that you’re ok with your man’s level of personal maintenance.

I dated a man for years who had dental issues. I’m all about quality teeth, so it’s amazing that I let this one slip by. I didn’t realize until we were living together just how bad it was. He always said he was afraid of the dentist, but when his jaw swelled up like a golf ball from an abscess and he still wouldn’t go, I knew it was an issue that wouldn’t get better. His teeth were like Steve Buscemi’s. His lack of hygiene was just too much to overcome.

We all have our little areas that we’re sticklers about. For some it’s hair, for others it’s shaving. And even if you haven’t admitted it to yourself yet, you know what your deal breaker is. Recognize what habits of your man’s you can overlook, and what will be a thorn in your side for the duration of your relationship. Is he worth the negativity you’ll feel every time you see it? And if he’s a metrosexual…well, he might complain about you more.