to say "no we dont have any aspirin but we do have paracetamol"?

[Bogeyface]

Because apparantly they are the same thing and I should know what he meant.

I say that as the two are completely different drugs, and as aspirin in particular must be avoided if you have certain illnesses (chicken pox if memory serves, is one) then IWNBU to be specific about what we have in?

[BreakfastAtSquiffanys]

Who is He? Are you a pharmacist, a shop assistant or a parent?

[Bogeyface]

And before anyone asks I wasnt being nit picky.

He said "Have we got any aspirin?" and I said "no, we've got paracetamol and we might have some ibuprofen" and was met with rolling eyes and "FFS" under his breath because apparantly "You know what I meant"....

[Bogeyface]

A wife!

[LeeFiora]

No YANBU at all. My father has stomach troubles and is allowed paracetamol but not aspirin; it's clearly not the same thing.

[Crankycunt]

Nope when it comes to medicine you kind of need to be specific.

[BarbarianMum]

Depends why he's asking. I can only take paracetamol - not aspirin or ibuprofen. So I'd be pretty pissed off if dh said yes we'd got some in only to find it was one if the others instead.
In general I think it's better to be precise about drugs but I wouldn't get arsey unless it affected me.

[Shallishanti]

let him get his own bloody painrelief if that's his attitude

[OlennasWimple]

Hmmm, I understand both sides of this.

If it was my dad asking, I would know that I needed to be precise because he can't take aspirin. However, I know that my DH uses the term as a generic painkiller, and can take aspirin / paracetamol / ibruprofen without problems and each is equally effective in treating his hangover headache. so no need for me to be precise in my response, because I know what he means...

[HicDraconis]

YANBU - they are completely different drugs with different indications although they do both relieve pain. They are not the same thing at all.

If you had been asked "do we have any painkillers" the answer would be "yes, we have paracetamol in the cupboard". Being asked "do we have any aspirin" the answer is "no, but there is paracetamol in the cupboard". You have inferred the reason for asking the question in the aspirin scenario and given a perfectly reasonable answer.

[DeathStare]

No YANBU. But I suspect he is being irritable as he isn't feeling well so I'd let it pass

[WLF46]

No, obviously not. They are different drugs and some people can take one but not the other (eg me, I can have paracetamol but not aspirin). But if he had a headache, it might have clouded his judgement.

[scaryclown]

Why put the 'no' in at all. Its negative cognotion and diverts the spirit.

'Have we got any aspirin?
'We have some paracetamol in tge cupboard'

Your lawyer cant tell you off for saying 'yes' and he cant tell you off for terribly disappointing him, only to then undisappount him, leaving a neutral emotional wonderbank, instead of a positive one..

[scaryclown]

Hope you noticed the heavy sarcasm...

[Bogeyface]

He has done this before. "Have we got any cornflakes (say)?" "No, but we have got some rice krispies" "Well thats the same thing, you know what I meant!"

Its as if because he knows he meant a non specific painkiller or cereal, I should know too and answer appropriately. Whereas I tend to answer the question I have been asked, I am funny like that!

[Bogeyface]

You know what? In future I might just say "No". Its a 100% truthful answer with no ambiguity, as clearly trying to be helpful is not getting me anywhere.

[SapphireStrange]

IME the most irritating thing about this kind of question is that the little woman is expected to know exactly what's in the house at all times, freeing the more important man from having to clutter his great mind with such domestic fluff.

In our house it tends to be 'Oh, have we run out of cooking oil/rice/peppermint tea?'. To which my stock answer these days is 'Well, I haven't bought any; have you?' Which gets me a hurt look and comment.

[ItShouldHaveBeenJess]

I can take paracetamol .

I can't take aspirin as it gives me stomach cramps.

I can't take ibuprofen as it exacerbates my asthma.

You're right, OP.

[LadyCallandraDaviot]

Yes, like others above I can't take aspirin, so need to distinguish what type of painkillers..

Why can't he say 'have we got any pain killers?' or 'Have we got any 'cereal?'

[Sparklesilverglitter]

It depends

If I wasn't feeling well and said "DH do we have any paracetamol?" And he was being Dickish and replied "no glitter but we have aspirin" I'd think to myself what a knob I married, as he would know full well I just wanted a pain killer and he'd also know I can take any.

If a pharmacy said it I'd be a bit as they are different and some people can't take them, but that's a professional thing which is different to asking your DH/DW

[Bogeyface]

Sapphire I would agree with you regarding other things, but with paracetamol I tend to buy it and use it most. He uses painkillers about once or twice a year, so I am prepared to let that one go!

I am not in charge of loo roll though, he learned that lesson rather painfully and very early on :o

[Bogeyface]

Sparkles but wouldnt you think that he was just making clear what you have? Paracetamol does help when I have a cold/fever but aspirin doesnt, so in that case I wouldnt bother taking the aspirin.

[DisgruntledGhost]

He needs to be less specific. "Have we got any painkillers" and "do we have cereal". Think he'll find he gets less pissed off that way!

[BikeRunSki]

It's a very important distinction. I'm allergic to aspirin, not paracetamol. It would be bad if I accidentally took aspirin, having been told it's paracetamol. For this reason I only take painkillers or cold cures if I have taken them out of the packet myself.

[Eatthecake]

If I asked DH if we had any paracetamol like I did yesterday when I had a migraine and he replied with no eatthecake but we have aspirin. I'd think he was a twat as we've been together long enough for him to know I can take anything and not be a knob about it

If I asked in a pharmacy I wouldn't expect them to say it as they are different and it's a work place so different rules apply