They’d been married a year and a half before she noticed his hygiene habits. At first, conflicting work schedules kept her from seeing his routine. But once she started working from home, she realized—he only showered once a week. He didn’t smell and changed clothes daily, so she let it slide.
Things changed when he got a sweaty, physically demanding job. Still, he refused to shower. She finally addressed it during her pregnancy, asking him to shower three times a week for her comfort and the baby’s health. He agreed, and during that time, he was supportive and caring.
But after the baby was born, he slipped back into old habits—coming home dirty, skipping showers, and picking up their newborn. She worried about germs and his growing body odor. One night, overwhelmed, she snapped and called him “gross.” He was shocked—and denied ever agreeing to change. She reminded him of their talk, but he insisted it never happened and left her crying with the baby.
Later, she learned he’d been cleaning himself with alcohol instead of showering—his version of compromise. They both apologized. When she asked why he avoided showers, his answer stunned her: “I don’t want to wash off my manliness.”
Now, she’s more direct, demanding at least three showers a week. But he still brushes it off, blaming exhaustion. It all came to a head when she saw his shirt covered in dirt and dead skin. “This isn’t just about smell,” she told him. “It’s a health issue.” He still dismissed her—and went to bed.
