I am reluctant to talk about my personal experience here, but the lesson I learned from this is that it really depends on how you word your argument. I am a straight forward person and like to say things as it is, ie. I don't choose the nicer words to sound better to the ears. I like to get to the point. This has in fact caused a problem way larger in magnitude than the problem I tried to deal with in the first place. Be ever so sensitive when choosing this option to convince your mate to change. Let him/her know you're affected by it and is serious about the issue, and would like to discuss for a better solution instead of telling him straight out to change or leave.

Although I can see the positive side to doing this, because it could save their life if they are eg over eating, or it may give your nose a rest (if they never take a shower) and could make your relationship better (IF they take it the right way), I don't get pleasure out of criticising people, even if it is for their own good. For a start, I don't look forward to the fact they could take it the wrong way and get angry with you, but if they do take it the right way, it still isn't a good feeling to actually criticise someone. But the only positive thing is if you did see a change and they became a better person because of it.

I remember one of my ex-boyfriends never used to brush his teeth before he went to bed and he used to eat caramel like no tomorrow and it would stain his teeth. He wasn't a fan of water either as he had a ten hour day ahead of him and he didn't want to take a shower. He is of course no longer with me. I'm not expecting Mr Sheen, but I do expect someone to have pride in their appearance as it reflects on them and if they have a girlfriend it looks even worse on us as we didn't tell them.

It is often very hard to tell those we love that we see something about them that needs to be addressed.However,if said from a place of love and concern,it may open up communication and positive change.I would hope that a true friend or romantic partner would tell me such things.The best way,of course,is to be as tactful and gentle as you can.

I have never had to do this and feel for anybody who does, but I believe it is something that should be done when considering your mates HEALTH and self esteem. That is the way it should be treated, not to satisfy some shallow outlook based on what you think your loved one should look like. Do this the right way and help and it will turn out to be positive for both. Dont however, ignore this because it can only make both parties unhappy and unfulfilled. I have never sold into the idea that a person should "love thier mate no matter what they let themselves look like". It sounds good but its far from realistic.