9 Signs You Need To Bin The Boy

Relationships: we’ve had them, we’ve lost them, and we’ve found others. Some have been great, others not so much, and some have been so middle of the road that we've forgotten that they’ve even happened. Whilst each relationship is unique and we all have to compromise somewhat on what we should expect from another person, there are some values which I refuse to budge on. Open-mindedness, respect and compassion all top the list for me, but in true TLP style, I’ve rounded up a few absolute no-nos to help you recognise when it’s time to bin the boy.

Disclaimer: I try and be as inclusive as possible when writing about relationships. In previous blog posts, I’ve made sure to use ‘other half’ and ‘significant other’ in the place of boyfriend or girlfriend as not to exclude anybody, but since this post draws from personal experience, I’ve written it from my perspective as a cis straight female. Everybody can be an arsehole though, so all of the below can easily apply to whichever person you’re just about ready to bin.

Bra - Next*

Pants - Next*

1. He questions what you are wearing and makes you feel self-conscious

It’s okay for your boyfriend to not like what you’re wearing. It is not okay, however, for him to slag it off and make you feel self-conscious. It is also not okay for him to question why your skirt is so short for your night out, why your cleavage is showing in that v-neck top or if that body-con dress is a little too tight for a Sunday at the pub. Yes, he can have an opinion on whether that bright orange H&M jumper is particularly to his taste, but his ‘taste’ does not extend to how ‘slutty’ an outfit is, or what other people might be thinking when you wear it. If he doesn’t applaud you for having the confidence to wear whatever takes your fancy, then you need to question what insecurity and control issues are bubbling beneath the surface.

2. He’s not ‘ready for a relationship’ but expects girlfriend-level commitment from you

Have you met his family? Has he asked you to not see anybody else? Do you buy each other sentimental presents and spend special occasions together? Does he also dodge every mention of commitment and make you feel like you’re ‘needy’ for wanting some level of clarification on what “this” is? Then the problem is him, not you. Alarm bells should be ringing if, after months of acting like a couple, he’s still reluctant to put a label on it. Is he waiting for a better offer? Is he holding on to his ex? Is he refusing to open himself up to you emotionally? Whatever it is, if you’ve tried and tried again to extract some kind of meaningful answer from him and you’re still coming up short, then you’ll probably be waiting forever. Don’t waste your youthful skin and the luxury of time on someone that isn’t ready to invest the same in you that you are them.

3. He takes his phone with him to the fridge and you don’t know his passcode

You shouldn't been routinely demanding a full inspection of your other half’s phone and conversations; every person has the right to their own privacy, and it’s important that you’re allowed to retain a level of autonomy away from your partner so you don’t lose that essence of who you are as an individual. However, if you ask him to get you a Ripple from the fridge and he can’t even make that journey without taking his phone with him, then something is up. If he won’t tell you the passcode to his phone because ‘you don’t need to know it anyway’, then something is up. If he double-somersaults across the room just to stop you from answering a phone call, then something is up. Sometimes the old adage ‘nothing to hide, nothing to fear’ is true, and if he can’t bear the thought of you even glancing at his home screen without breaking out in a cold sweat, then don’t be made to feel like you’re overreacting.

4. He still thinks periods are gross

If, at the mention of the period, he still doubles over and his gag reflex involuntarily starts to spasm, then you need to question whether you’re dating a 7 year old boy or a man who is wilfully obtuse. If he refuses to buy you tampons from the shop because he’s embarrassed what Carol, the 56 year old cashier with three daughters is going to say, then wtf is really up with him? Periods are natural. Periods are outrageously common. Periods are sometimes annoying and sometimes painful. Don’t let the boy in your life make them more annoying, and more painful. If, after you question why he’s so offended by a little menstruation, he still refuses to empty the bathroom bin for fear of seeing a sanitary towel, then ask yourself this: would you want him to treat your potential future daughter in the same way?

5. He demands that you are freshly shaven at all times

Sometimes I have a hard enough time tackling those stray hairs on my toes, let alone ensuring I’m 100% bald everywhere else. If he’s offended by a bit of armpit hair or the fact that - shock horror - pubes do tend to grow if left unattended for more than 30 minutes, then you need to take a step back and question why that is. Is that just his ‘personal preference’ (vom), or is that actually the passive aggressive sexism that he has bubbling away under the surface? Your body hair, your rules: if you want to shave everyday, then do; if you maybe do it once a week before you fake tan because every other day you can’t be bothered, then do that; if you like to shave every day because you’re ultimate inspo is the sphinx cat, then do that - whatever you want, it’s your call. Just take a moment to ask yourself why you shave, if you do. Is it because you want to, or is it because you’ve been taught to and fear being shamed by some dickhead in a lads group chat if you don't? P.S. IF HE DOESN'T MAINTAIN HIS OWN PUBES THEN HE CAN'T TELL YOU TO EITHER. SAYING IT LOUDER FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE BACK.