Hygiene and expectations

I’m 28 (female) and he's 38 (male)

I’m in a relationship for 5 years with my boyfriend. I love him very much, he treats me very well, he’s amazing and intelligent and has a very good sense of humor. Most of the time I’m very happy and satisfied in our relationship.

But some things are bothering me now.

We both kinda let things go, so we got out of shape. I’m back on track for a few months with workouts and healthy food, and I always ask him to come with me. Not to lose weight specifically, but to get fit and get some muscle to grow older healthy. He says he’s not in the mood for it and tired, or he says “I’ll do it later..” (later means never)

The bigger issue, for me though, is hygiene.

I shower twice a day. We both have different norms and values regarding this, apparently. Cause he only showers in the morning and he feels like that is enough. In the morning he smells fresh and I feel very attracted to him. But after a long day of work, he doesn’t smell fresh (I mean.. who does?) but it really does something to my attraction towards him.. I pay a lot of attention to my personal care. And I don’t expect him to do a whole nighttime routine like me, but a little more wouldn’t hurt for me.

I’m very straight to the point when it comes to that. Yesterday he came home from work, took his socks off and I said that I could smell his feet. He said “yeah I’ll shower again tomorrow” WDYM TOMORROW?? You go with those stinky ass feet in our clean bed? Ew. In bed he wants to cuddle, like.. I don’t feel comfortable cuddling him in bed when he doesn’t shower, or having sex. He feels that showering twice a day is unnecessary.

He also has huge cracked calluses on his feet. I have already suggested a few times that he go to get a pedicure. For the pain he experiences, but also for hygiene. I can’t stand it when his foot touches mine in bed. He doesn’t listen to what I say.

TL;DR: I love my boyfriend and our relationship is good overall, but differences in lifestyle, fitness, and especially hygiene are starting to affect my attraction and comfort with physical affection. I’m wondering how to communicate this without being controlling, and whether it’s reasonable to ask him to work on these things with me.

Posted Aug 4, 2026, 8:41 AM UTC · locked

010
Loading comments…