So, in a serious LTR, do you ever talk about bodily functions? What about jokes?

This is a serious question, even though my snap RPW response would be that it's vulgar and not ok. I certainly don't ever mention such topics on early dates.

But I had many doctors in my family, and my first serious boyfriend did as well, so I am pretty naturally comfortable talking about the body and all that. He would often end up saying "not that you want to know this information, but..." and tell me if he was sick or something, and I didn't get weirded out, I just wanted info that he was better now. If our pet was sick it was the same, it wasn't "ew gross" just "oh no the poor guy is sick."

I was a nanny as well, so of course you quickly get over being grossed out and just clean up messes.

I bring this up because there are people who swear that their marriage works because they never share stuff like this. But other people say the opposite about their marriage, that the openness helps.

I personally find health and the body interesting. I'm well mannered and in public don't talk about body things. For the restroom I simply get up and go, I don't announce it. I would never discuss anything like this on dates.

But after a while in a relationship, there is going to be a time when someone is sick and has to ask for help, for medicine or other things. And if you have pets or kids, you end up having to deal and talk about it too.

And in addition to this, some guys have crass humor on occasion. And they make jokes. So how do you respond? Do you laugh too, which is down to earth, or say it's gross, or ignore it? Sometimes I fear that since I am not really self conscious about the body and health that it is unladylike. I try not to laugh at such humor in groups, I usually feel dumb otherwise. This is referring to couples in LTR and marriage. Not on a first date.

Just very curious what all have to say on the topic. Mainstream thought might be that women can be just like men.