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Your parents initial impressions of your significant other are a big deal.

Anything off-putting, even in the slightest, may affect the direction of theirrelationship.

The author ofthis storyis in a bind because of his girlfriends unhygienic living situation.

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Theyoung mannow seeks advice from the Reddit community, hoping for some clarity and solutions.

Scroll down for the entire text and what readers told him.

You will also find our interviews with dating coachAmie Leadingham, relationship psychologistDr.

Man in blue shirt sitting on a couch, hands on head, conflicted about telling his girlfriend her filthy living habits.

Many of these are potential health hazards, which, for Auman, are dealbreakers.

The latter should not be tolerated by anyone.

It should be a dealbreaker if someone is living in a way that jeopardizes anyones health.

Text about a boyfriend uncertain how to address his girlfriend’s untidy living situation.

There may also be an issue with how a person perceives cleanliness.

The woman may think nothing is wrong; according to Dr. Land, this is where problems arise.

However, cleanliness around the home reflects something deeper.

Text discussing a long-distance relationship dilemma involving a girlfriend’s house and a family dinner visit.

Leadingham says it may indicate asignificant others level of respect, which may be lacking in this case.

Differing cleanliness standards can create daily tension and resentment that erode relationship satisfaction over time.

This may become more problematic once his parents see how untidy the place is.

Text describes a boyfriend’s embarrassment about his girlfriend’s filthy house.

Both Leadingham and Auman agree that the right timing would be critical.

Instead, she suggests focusing on an approach that comes from a place of care.

Dr. Land shares a similar sentiment, urging framing the conversation as your sensitivity rather than their flaw.

Text describing a filthy environment, related to a girlfriend’s living situation with her boyfriend.

She says the focus should be on how their behavior impacts you, but it should be expressed non-judgmentally.

It may help the author to approach the issue non-confrontationally and to emphasize how it benefits everyone involved.

Check out the results:

Dirty bathroom corner with a used toilet brush and holder. Girlfriend lives filthy, boyfriend unaware how to tell her.

“Dirty window sill in a filthy apartment, girlfriend unaware of boyfriend’s concerns about cleanliness.

Dusty pink storage bin with a lamp on top, illustrating a filthy living space challenge for girlfriend-lives-filthy-boyfriend.

Text excerpt about boyfriend unsure how to tell girlfriend her home is messy, mentioning cleaning challenges.

Text discussing a boyfriend’s dilemma on how to tell his girlfriend about living in a filthy environment.

Man Spends A Week In Long-Distance GF’s Family House, Is Shocked By The Filth

Comments discussing how to tell a girlfriend about standards of living.

Discussion on communicating cleanliness issues; user seeks advice on telling girlfriend about her filthy home.

Comments discussing alternatives for meeting due to a filthy living situation; advice on hosting challenges with a boyfriend.

Users discuss how a boyfriend should address his girlfriend’s messy living habits.

Text exchange discussing personal hygiene within the context of a girlfriend’s living situation.

Comment thread discussing relationship advice about cleanliness issues; boyfriend unsure how to tell girlfriend.

User discusses dealing with cleanliness issues in a relationship, offering advice on handling difficult situations.

Comment discussing concerns about living standards with a messy girlfriend.

Comment on discussing cultural differences in relationship standards.

Text post offering advice on addressing cleanliness issues in a relationship.

Text suggesting disbelief about not vacuuming tile floors, with references to vacuums and roombas.

Comment discussing living with a messy girlfriend and advice on handling it.

Comment criticizing cleanliness in relationship scenario; user suggests ending relationship over living conditions.

Comment discussing whether to tell girlfriend her parent’s house is filthy.

A comment giving cleaning advice for a filthy boyfriend issue, suggesting Instagram tips.

Comment advising boyfriend to discuss cleanliness issues with girlfriend.

Text conversation about living situation challenges with a girlfriend, addressing compatibility and household cleanliness.

User advises on discussing cleanliness with a boyfriend living in filth, emphasizing understanding and communication.