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Original poster

"You need a man to..."

57 replies

DontCallMePeanut · 27/06/2011 21:05

Well, according to my darling mother, I "need a man" to put up a new rail for a new net curtain I'm putting up in my living room... Ahem. I have the choice of, for now, asking my brother in law or one of my exes to do so... Apparently. I told her all I need to do is borrow, or maybe even buy a drill, and she responded with "but it's not the done thing for a woman"

Just wondering what corkers you've heard recently?

OP posts:
memphis83 · 27/06/2011 22:44

I do all the DIY in our house, DH wouldnt know what the toolbox was if he found it! Hes very handy with an iron though!!!

TimeWasting · 27/06/2011 22:42

First house after I moved out of home had no curtain rail in the bedroom and I had no money, so I nailed some muslin up. The bedroom wall were painted with a collection of left-over shades of cream and magnolia.
I'm very good at shabby chic.
I'm appalling at DIY, but still better than DH, who couldn't give a toss. We live round the corner from his Dad now, so I doubt we'll ever improve.

AnnieLobeseder · 27/06/2011 22:39

DontCallMePeanut - I chickened out and just made a Hmm face for him. I did have to sit next to him for another 4 hours after all.

But it was one of the smoothest landings I've experienced in ages. And she managed to park the plane just fine too! Grin

DumSpiroSpero · 27/06/2011 22:37

Well, Peanut - you may have a point there...but he's also very good with the laundry and ironing Grin

I'm lucky - although my parents are in their seventies they have always been quite role reversed - dad worked shifts so was involved with childcare and mum did the DIY and car maintenance so I don't have to content with any 'old-fashioned' comments.

I do most of our DIY - although I leave the car and garden to DH - purely because both things bore me shitless!

Original poster
DontCallMePeanut · 27/06/2011 22:36

Grin Annie, I would have commented on getting back to my car at the airport that drove itself

Etti, I may adopt that as my warcry arguement next time she starts

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EttiKetti · 27/06/2011 22:32

This makes me cringe, esp things like putting garden items or furniture together. Ugh. It's 2011 I'm often heard to cry!!

AnnieLobeseder · 27/06/2011 22:31

Flying back from hols on Saturday I was chatting to the couple next to me, and the man commented that we had a woman pilot, "but that's OK because planes fly themselves these days anyway."

Hmm
BerylOfLaughs · 27/06/2011 22:29

Well I have TWO drills so that when one needs recharging I can use the other.Grin
DH doesn't even know where they are kept. I also have a chainsaw which is great fun to use.
Nevertheless family regularly try to talk to DH about DIY or cars, he just glazes over. Despite me telling them I do the DIY they just don't believe me Angry.

Original poster
DontCallMePeanut · 27/06/2011 22:18

Trillian, thanks for the tip... I'll hire a male friend for that, just to really piss Mum off... "Oh yes, I got Billy round to help... he held the hoover, whilst I drilled the holes... He even hoovered up and dusted afterwards" Grin

OP posts:
ChristinedePizan · 27/06/2011 22:17

Yes me too! I would much rather construct things than vacuum. You really, really need a drill. Honestly, they are brilliant :o

Original poster
DontCallMePeanut · 27/06/2011 22:15

Oooh, but I'm weird. I love doing flat-packed furniture. And DIY. Sod the housework, I'm happier hammering away at things... Grin

Dum, why do you need DH if you have a vibrator? Grin

OP posts:
TrilllianAstra · 27/06/2011 22:14

Our net curtain isn't even on a rail, it's on a bit of elasticy stuff which is held up by a twisty thing that just screws into the wall, I don't think there was any drilling involved.

(it was like that when we got here, obvs I would know if drilling was involved if I'd been here when it was put up)

If you are drilling I highly recommend getting someone to stand right by you with the hose attachment of the hoover pinted at the drill- it stops wall dust getting everywhere.

TrilllianAstra · 27/06/2011 22:13

... provide sperm if you want to reproduce.

Anything else you don't need a man to do, but you might like one to do it. :)

ChristinedePizan · 27/06/2011 22:06

I love putting together flat pack furniture, I own two drills and can change alternators and fan belts on cars. None of that requires any strength at all.

My mantra is 'if it something that doesn't require years of training and I can look it up in a DIY book, it isn't that hard'

amothersplaceisinthewrong · 27/06/2011 22:02

I do (and luckily have) need a man to do all the things I hate doing Smile which is basically any DIY task.

Fifis25StottieCakes · 27/06/2011 21:59

If you want something done properly, do it yourself. I fitted my friends roller blinds last week (i was doing a trial run) before i do mine. It was the 1st time i have used a drill and i was dead impressed with myself.

Thres not much i cant do round the house. The only thing i hate is flat packed fooking furniture. I can do it, i just dont want to so that gets left to a man.

DumSpiroSpero · 27/06/2011 21:59

My mum asked me last week why I needed a vibrator when I have DH Grin!

SinicalSal · 27/06/2011 21:52

Sometimes I find it difficult to reconcile my feminist principles with my innate laziness.
tis easier by far to twirl my hair winsomely than learn a new skill, and work up a sweat.
Grin joking.

But, the bit about learning a new skill is relevent, I think. DH has a lifetime's headstart on me when it comes to car maintenance, say. I could google and puzzle it out, can't be that hard. But he can just go and sort it in ten minutes. (Which is fine and dandy if it's not the choice between me doing it and it not being done at all, obv)

I don't think it's the division of tasks into men's and women's that annoy me, on a micro level. Rather, it's the discrepency in value placed on it depending on who normally performs it.

Original poster
DontCallMePeanut · 27/06/2011 21:32

Much nicer than my BIL's 'orrible black and orange one. TY, Buzzsore Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
DontCallMePeanut · 27/06/2011 21:30

Aye, Sinical, when it's physical strength, then likewise, but only if there's no way on earth I could do it myself. But not just to conform to gender stereotypes. I might make sure I have a drill to hand next time she visits Grin

OP posts:
buzzsore · 27/06/2011 21:30

[pelts peanut with a plethora of pink pebbles] Grin

It seems to be available from here. (Don't know the site, was just googling, so can't vouch for it).

SinicalSal · 27/06/2011 21:25

I don't have a problem with it when it's about a task requiring physical strength.

Original poster
DontCallMePeanut · 27/06/2011 21:24

Chrys Likewise. But glad your ex is, well, your ex. And likewise for your sister.

OP posts:
Original poster
DontCallMePeanut · 27/06/2011 21:22

Buzzsore, unfortunately it's unavailable :( Shame, I love pink

TIY I highly doubt that Wink

OP posts:
AliceWhirled · 27/06/2011 21:22

Own mole grips.