h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

When I was at home my would ask, "would you like ?"

We learned to always say yes since the next thing she would say was "Get one for me too while you're up."

You are right, Hypatia, she didn't deserve any. In my case, it was just the typical thoughtlessness, not meanness. Still, there are days when I'm annoyed by such things (today having been one of them).

It can still be incredibly irritating even if it's 'just' thoughtlessness.

Perhaps you should allocate the males of the household nights of the week when it's their turn to make dinner for everyone, and stick to it each week.

Good idea. I'll see if I can do that, although it will probably only work if all take part...

If any of them fail to, just put your feet up and phone for a pizza for yourself.

Tumsup, I missed your post earlier. I know that well, if my husband asks me if I'd like to have it usually means *he*d like me to make some. I've often asked him to just ask me if I would make him some instead of trying to mask his request.

My dad used to make my sister mad that way. She didn't mind getting his newspaper for him - he'd forget to pick it up on the way in the house, and he was tired.

She just objected to the request's being prefaced with 'Honey...you're young, and full of prunes...why don't you...?'

Right. A complaint from a bloke.

Now, as it happens, I have an amount of free time on my hands at the moment, but nonetheless...

Tonight, we had some friends round for dinner. I know, Monday night, but one of them is around a month from giving birth and has just started her maternity leave, so didn't care whether it was a weekend or not.

HI got home from work around 1830. All the dinner was prepared, in the oven, ready to go (starter, main, pudding), and all cooked by my own fair hand. I love cooking, I love entertaining, this is all fine. But HI didn't help me at all throughout the evening. Clearing plates from the table after each course, that sort of thing. I'd've appreciated the help, and I asked for it...in fact, it was the husband of the friend from HI's work who helped me out, a bloke I've only met 3 times.

Just so's you know it ain't always blokes who have this attitude. I'm going to talk to her tomorrow about this, to ensure that next time I don't feel put upon, in the way I feel I was tonight.

Just so you don't think I'm being prima donna-ish about this, I do all the cooking day to day, and most of the cleaning, too.

RF

Equal rights here, yeah.

After all, it is my nephew who's the chef...he learned how to cook in self-defence, I always say...

Ha! Me too!

If I want a decent meal wherever I go, I make sure I cook it myself*.

RF

* With the exception of visiting my brother, who lives in Australia. He owns a restaurant.

yup, this is exactly why i learned to cook also

when i was still living with the x i did all the w*rk in the kitchen. from planning to shopping, cooking, laying the table, serving, washing dishes - you name it

still doesn't make me a saint, i know, i'm just saying

For a moment I was wondering -- since when is Honest Iago living with Reddyfreddy

HI = Her Indoors.

RF

B'el, dear... You have been too considerate. Stop cooking for them for a while! Your sons have got the point already it seems, and if your well spoilt (only partly your fault... ) and inconsiderate husband complains, well, you have noticed that he can fend for himself... and when he asks if you would like something, just reply "Yes, thankyou dear, that would be wonderful!"

Do some snacks for yourself for a while. Take care of you.

Haven't read all the backlog yet (55 posts in 2 hours!) but I must jump in and say something.

I am in exactly the same position as B'El - boys old enough to cook for themselves and who have practically left home. Father who is very reluctant and practically incapable of getting food. None of them would dream of asking if anyone wanted anything if they got themselves a meal. For me, cooking a meal means catering for everyone who's in the house at the time.

Mind you, I'm not sure I'd want to eat sausages at 4 a.m. or have my breakfast cereal at 5 pm which seem to be the eating habits of my 21-year-old.

Will now go and read the rest of the backlog, so please excuse if I've repeated anything in the last 20 posts.

It's somehow comforting to know I'm not alone, TC.

Still, it's odd, and I can't help wondering if the same would happen if I had daughters instead of sons?

Would you expect the same of daughters as you would of sons?

On a similar note, here is a true story.

A colleague had moved in with her boyfriend and they were really romantic about "playing house" and so on. One day, while she was at work and he was at home, it started to rain. She had hung some washing out before going to work. Mon-sewer at home only goes and brings in his own shirts and leaves her stuff hanging!




Clearing the table and washing up is something my men do do, however, so it's not all bad.

I'd expect them to be much more mature, because that's what girls usually are.