Explore a curated collection of utterly repulsive behaviors shared by former partners, ranging from extreme hygiene lapses to deeply disturbing moral violations, offering crucial insights into what truly constitutes a relationship deal-breaker.
In the world of relationships and dating, there’s a phenomenon known as “getting the ick.” This modern term, defined by the Cambridge Dictionary as a sudden feeling of disgust or revulsion, often signals the end of attraction and, more often than not, the end of a relationship. While some ‘icks’ might stem from petty preferences, many are triggered by truly revolting behaviors that expose a deeper lack of respect, empathy, or basic human decency. We’ve delved into real-life accounts to uncover the most shocking and stomach-churning stories that made partners, or potential partners, run for the hills.
The Most Egregious Hygiene Horrors
Perhaps the most common and immediate source of the ‘ick’ comes from poor personal hygiene. Many individuals shared experiences that highlight a profound disregard for cleanliness, crossing the line from merely comfortable to utterly revolting.
Unacceptable Bathroom Habits
One of the most frequently cited issues revolves around bathroom etiquette. Stories include:
- A partner who pulled down his pants to fart in his girlfriend’s face, resulting in a “little speck of s***” landing on her (Icy-Horror8072).
- Leaving visible skid marks on bed sheets (Positive-Avocado-881) or in underwear because “toilet paper was expensive.”
- Failing to wipe properly, leading to noticeable streaks on clothing, even during a date.
- A partner who “soiled her pants” on a third date because she didn’t want to leave her date’s side for a few minutes.
- Repeatedly asking a partner to enter the bathroom while defecating and making casual conversation.
- Peeing in empty Gatorade bottles or sinks instead of using the toilet.
- Leaving an entire toilet coated in “poop splatter” at a resort and refusing to clean it.
Personal Grooming Gone Wrong
Beyond the bathroom, general personal grooming, or lack thereof, proved to be a major turn-off:
- One ex wouldn’t get a job and wore the same sweatpants for weeks on end.
- A partner who insisted he didn’t need deodorant in the American South during summer, despite smelling like a “cat p*ss, salami, and raw onion sandwich.”
- Scraping fuzz off dirty teeth and wiping it on the couch after not brushing all weekend (tacolamae).
- A former model who had an active yeast infection but failed to inform her date before they were intimate.
- Neglecting to wash hair for weeks, claiming it “styled better when it was greasy.”
- Having a “thick, black layer of gunk” in their belly button, visible while laying on their partner’s chest (26chickenwings).
- Eating pimples, whiteheads, and blackheads.
- Bad breath described as “garbage water and feces” due to chronic poor oral hygiene (CandidNumber).
- Not brushing teeth for months, using mouthwash instead, and not understanding the need to brush one’s tongue.
- “Swamp feet” that caused extreme nausea during intimacy.
- Leaving bloodied period underwear on the floor, bed, or laundry hamper for weeks.
- A chemophobe who never used soap or toothpaste, resulting in grey teeth.
Unsanitary Environments
The ‘ick’ can also stem from a partner’s living habits and the cleanliness of their personal space:
- Dating a college student whose dorm room was consistently dirty, with unwiped communal toilets, exposed toothbrushes, and trash on the floor.
- A date who, after eating Mexican food, smelled like actual feces because he had “smeared s*** on the back of his shorts” and seemed unaware (Ravenclawriddles).
- Nurses coming home from 12-hour shifts and lying on the bed in scrubs and shoes, eating cookies, unaware of the bodily fluids potentially transferred (ExpensivePatience5).
- A guy who kept an unwashed insulated coffee cup, believing bacterial buildup would “inoculate him against colds and flu” (ritlingit).
- Going on a boat date with a partner whose boat was “absolutely disgusting” with junk food bags, empty cans, and a foul smell, despite him claiming he cleaned it.
- A partner who would pick his nose regularly, even in front of friends at a house party (jessness024).
Emotional, Moral, and Psychological Deal-Breakers
Beyond physical disgust, many ‘ick’ moments are deeply rooted in a partner’s character, revealing a disturbing lack of empathy, integrity, or emotional stability.
Profound Lack of Empathy
Some stories highlight a chilling absence of compassion, particularly in moments of vulnerability:
- A partner who responded to his girlfriend’s cat dying with “excitement and thrilled” that she could now buy a puppy.
- A husband telling his grieving wife, two years after her son’s murder, to “get over it already.”
- Leaving a wife alone and in pain after a miscarriage to play video games, then complaining about being tired and asking about the cost of emergency surgery.
Unsettling Sexual and Relational Demands
The ‘ick’ can also manifest in disturbing sexual requests or a complete lack of understanding of consent and boundaries:
- A partner pushing his girlfriend away for a kiss, stating, “Jesus Christ, I can’t do anything until I take a shower! You always want to start this at inconvenient times!” then returning with, “Alright, let’s get this over with.”
- “Joking” about involving a dog in their sex life.
- Inviting a prostitute over and asking a partner to watch them have sex to “prove that I actually loved him.”
- A date with a mortuary science student who asked how a woman would feel about taking a cold bath before sex and staying very still throughout.
- Repeatedly begging a partner to defecate or pee on them.
Moral and Criminal Violations
Some ‘ick’ stories reveal truly dangerous or morally reprehensible behavior:
- A former partner who nonconsensually filmed sexual encounters and women through bathroom windows and in stores, posting them online.
- A partner with terrible gun safety skills, pointing a pistol at family and friends as a joke.
- Discovering a girlfriend was a convicted sex offender of children, with documented “consensual” acts involving minors.
- Learning after two years that a partner had been to prison and was on the kiddie fiddler register.
- A partner who believed women posting “sexily posed pictures” online “have no right to be upset if strangers come up and touch/assault them,” even saving photos of acquaintances.
- A date who claimed to be a witch and admitted to using period blood in wine to cast a love spell on her ex-boyfriend.
- A date whose father was allegedly a “big mafia guy.”
- A date who claimed to have been raped by aliens and whose psychic said they were a good match.
- A woman who stayed with her pedophile ex-husband for years because she “wanted to make the relationship work.”
- A first date where the woman left because she had a warrant out for her arrest related to a “crack cocaine dealing ring.”
- A date who informed her companion of her plan to poison her boss.
- A man who, after getting drunk, shoved his girlfriend down stairs, choked her, and then pushed her down again outside, all to calm her down so neighbors wouldn’t see.
Dishonesty and Disrespect
Simple dishonesty or profound disrespect can also create an unbearable ‘ick’:
- A former partner who was an “opportunistic petty thief,” shoplifting, keeping lent items, and claiming undeserved refunds.
- A partner who became “obsessive” quickly, threatening suicide when the relationship was ending.
- Discussing divorce, a partner wistfully said, “I’m still young, I could [implied sex around with other women],” revealing he felt the marriage was over since their kids were born.
- A partner who pressured for marriage, disliked a chosen engagement ring, and then laughed about it with her mom.
- A woman who brought nine friends to a movie date and then never called the man again, saying he “didn’t talk enough.”
- A date who introduced her partner as “Tom,” then corrected herself saying “Tom is tomorrow night.”
- Being asked to pay for a speeding ticket because the date was “distracting him,” then being made to foot the dinner bill.
Navigating the ‘Ick’ in Your Own Relationships
These stories serve as powerful reminders that while comfort and familiarity are key to long-term relationships, there’s a clear line between being a “little gross” and being “outright revolting.” Recognizing and addressing these behaviors is crucial for maintaining your well-being and finding a truly respectful partnership.
If you encounter behaviors that trigger your ‘ick’ response, consider the following:
- Communicate openly: For minor issues, a direct, kind conversation might resolve the problem.
- Observe patterns: Is this a one-off mistake or a recurring behavior? Patterns often reveal deeper issues.
- Trust your gut: If something feels fundamentally wrong or disrespectful, it likely is.
- Prioritize your boundaries: You have a right to feel safe, respected, and comfortable in your relationship.
- Seek support: If you’re experiencing abusive or dangerous behavior, reach out to trusted friends, family, or professional resources.
The shared experiences from Bored Panda and Reddit illustrate that everyone deserves a partner who demonstrates basic respect, hygiene, and emotional maturity. Don’t settle for anything less.
