You be the judge: should my partner get rid of her old dishcloths and sponges? Charles and Alice, who reconnected in their 60s after a 40-year separation, are facing a domestic clash over hygiene. Charles is disgusted by Alice’s perpetually wet dishcloths and sponges, likening them to petri dishes, while Alice believes his ashtrays are a worse offense. Despite this disagreement, they both express happiness about their reunion and appreciation for each other’s support, with Alice suggesting a compromise involving bleach and Charles contemplating the effort of washing the cloths.

• Charles and Alice, who dated in their 20s, reconnected in their 60s after Charles initiated contact via Facebook.
• Charles moved to Zurich to be with Alice, but is bothered by her unhygienic dishcloths and sponges.
• Alice finds Charles’s ashtrays more offensive and believes he should compromise by washing the dishcloths.
• Both express appreciation for their reunion and support during difficult times.
• Commenters offer varying perspectives, with some siding with Charles on hygiene and others suggesting compromise or Charles taking more initiative.