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CultureQuiet 3d · day 3

R. Eric Thomas advice column syndicated across US newspapers

Relationship advice columnist's response to a 30-year marriage strained by husband's hygiene habits appears in multiple outlets simultaneously.

newest coverage 3d agosummary written 2d ago7 pieces Newswires

What to know

  • An advice column by R. Eric Thomas addressing a reader's 30-year marriage strained by the husband's poor hygiene was syndicated across at least six major U.S. newspapers on September 21, 2026.
  • Thomas acknowledged underlying causes for neglect of hygiene but recommended the couple reframe the problem as shared rather than a criticism, emphasizing how the husband's choices impact their relationship and physical intimacy.
  • The column was published in Boston Globe, Chicago Tribune, Denver Post, Cleveland.com, The Oregonian, AL.com, and NJ.com with slightly different headlines but identical content.

“He's free to do what he wants with his body, of course. But his choice is impacting you and your marriage, and it behooves you both to find common ground.”

R. Eric Thomas · Chicago Tribune ↗

R. Eric ThomasR. Eric Thomas Advice columnist

R. Eric Thomas advice column syndicated across US newspapers
Denver Post

How it unfolded 4 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articles

Peak 4 pieces in one hour at Sep 21, 4 AM; 7 pieces over 3 days (7 articles) Sep 20, 11 PM — 1 piece · 1 article — Newswires 1Sep 21, 12 AM — 1 piece · 1 article — Newswires 1Sep 21, 1 AM — quietSep 21, 2 AM — 1 piece · 1 article — Newswires 1Sep 21, 3 AM — quietSep 21, 4 AM — 4 pieces · 4 articles — Newswires 4Sep 21, 5 AM — quietSep 21, 6 AM — quietSep 21, 7 AM — quietSep 21, 8 AM — quietSep 21, 9 AM — quietSep 21, 10 AM — quietSep 21, 11 AM — quietSep 21, 12 PM — quietSep 21, 1 PM — quietSep 21, 2 PM — quietSep 21, 3 PM — quietSep 21, 4 PM — quietSep 21, 5 PM — quietSep 21, 6 PM — quietSep 21, 7 PM — quietSep 21, 8 PM — quietSep 21, 9 PM — quietSep 21, 10 PM — quietSep 21, 11 PM — quietSep 22, 12 AM — quietSep 22, 1 AM — quietSep 22, 2 AM — quietSep 22, 3 AM — quietSep 22, 4 AM — quietSep 22, 5 AM — quietSep 22, 6 AM — quietSep 22, 7 AM — quietSep 22, 8 AM — quietSep 22, 9 AM — quietSep 22, 10 AM — quietSep 22, 11 AM — quietSep 22, 12 PM — quietSep 22, 1 PM — quietSep 22, 2 PM — quietSep 22, 3 PM — quietSep 22, 4 PM — quietSep 22, 5 PM — quietSep 22, 6 PM — quietSep 22, 7 PM — quietSep 22, 8 PM — quietSep 22, 9 PM — quietSep 22, 10 PM — quietSep 22, 11 PM — quietYesterday, 12 AM — quietYesterday, 1 AM — quietYesterday, 2 AM — quietYesterday, 3 AM — quietYesterday, 4 AM — quietYesterday, 5 AM — quietYesterday, 6 AM — quietYesterday, 7 AM — quietYesterday, 8 AM — quietYesterday, 9 AM — quietYesterday, 10 AM — quietYesterday, 11 AM — quietYesterday, 12 PM — quietYesterday, 1 PM — quietYesterday, 2 PM — quietYesterday, 3 PM — quietYesterday, 4 PM — quietYesterday, 5 PM — quietYesterday, 6 PM — quietYesterday, 7 PM — quietYesterday, 8 PM — quietYesterday, 9 PM — quietYesterday, 10 PM — quietYesterday, 11 PM — quietToday, 12 AM — quietToday, 1 AM — quietToday, 2 AM — quietToday, 3 AM — quietToday, 4 AM — quietToday, 5 AM — quiet 1–34
Sep 21Sep 22yesterdaynow · 6:44 AM ET
  1. 4

    Column reaches Cleveland.com, The Oregonian, AL.com, NJ.com

    The column is published simultaneously across four additional regional outlets, with each using a distinct headline emphasizing different angles of the hygiene problem.

    “There may be underlying issues or traumas that cause him to neglect personal hygiene practices.”
    — R. Eric Thomas
  2. 3

    Column syndicated to Denver Post

    The advice column appears in the Denver Post as part of the same syndication wave.

  3. 2

    Same column appears in Chicago Tribune

    The Chicago Tribune runs the identical advice column with minor framing variations in the Q&A headers.

  4. 1

    R. Eric Thomas advice column publishes in Boston Globe

    The Boston Globe publishes R. Eric Thomas's response to a reader married 30+ years whose husband's hygiene habits—not brushing teeth, infrequent showers, wearing hoodies in warm weather, sticky hands—have diminished her desire for physical intimacy.

    “While there is room in many relationships for slight differences in personal hygiene preferences, your husband's habits are more extreme.”
    — R. Eric Thomas · source
    1. 1 outlet Asking Eric: Husband is smelly and sticky

      first by Chicago Tribune, 3d ago

    2. 1 outlet Husband’s poor hygiene mars otherwise great marriage

      first by Boston Globe, 3d ago

Also covered reported alongside — the timeline has no entry for these yet

  1. 2 outlets Asking Eric: My husband thinks I nag. I think basic hygiene shouldn’t be a marital debate

    first by NJ.com, 3d ago · also The Oregonian

    2 more headlines

and 2 smaller pieces