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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to bring home this strangers washing?

50 replies

MsWetherwax · 15/10/2011 22:23

I work one day a week as a receptionist, in an environment where there is a communal laundry room. The washing machine has been out of use for nearly a fortnight, and this afternoon an older gent came in to complain that it hadn't been fixed, he had no clean clothes and his grandchildren are visiting on Monday. He seemed genuinely distressed. So I bought some of it home and washed it. By pure chance I am covering for a colleague tomorrow, so it's not putting me out too much but my DP has gone absolutely mental, apparently because I don't know him the mans washing "could be diseased" and I am a mug for helping. Is he right or do I stick to my belief that Karma will out?

OP posts:
BluddyMoFo · 15/10/2011 22:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

hopenglory · 15/10/2011 22:26

I think it was a very kind thing for you to do

buzzskeleton · 15/10/2011 22:26

Grin at the washing being diseased. It's extremely nice of you and above & beyond. Your dp sounds a bit of a jackass to 'go mental' at you over something generous of spirit. I really hope the old gent is appreciative.

Bohica · 15/10/2011 22:27

Lovely thing to do for some one and if your DH is that worried tell him to put a cut lemon on a very hot wash before using the machine again to rid the machine of any diseases Grin

Your not a mug and I would have done exactly the same as you.

HollywoodAgentForTheLivingDead · 15/10/2011 22:27

You did a lovely thing MsW, please don't let your DHs talk of diseased clothing (hahahahaha) make you feel like shite Smile

hellhasnofury · 15/10/2011 22:27

Diseased with what? I think I'd have offered similar. It's one load of washing I don't think it'll be carrying the bubonic plague. I bet the old gent will be very grateful.

pictish · 15/10/2011 22:27

i think that was a nice thing to do and I probably would have done the same. Your dh is a meanie.

lisad123 · 15/10/2011 22:28

I guess it depends on if he is likely to ask again. Make it clear this a one off and find him the address of nearest laundrette.

HollywoodAgentForTheLivingDead · 15/10/2011 22:28

What exactly did your DHs 'going mental' entail?

orangehead · 15/10/2011 22:28

Very kind what you did. My dh wouldn't of been happy either. A man thing possibly?

ItWasABoojum · 15/10/2011 22:30

You sound really sweet and your DH could learn a lot from you. Thanks

DogsBeastFiend · 15/10/2011 22:30

What a lovely lady you are. I'd have been SO grateful if someone had been that kind to my Grandad.

KatieMortician · 15/10/2011 22:30

Put it on a boil wash. Everyone's happy. Wink

Seriously, your dh is odd.

WeepsInPaleDew · 15/10/2011 22:30

That was a truly nice thing you did, you are no mug. You are compassionate and kind.

but I hope word hasn't got round you are so lovely that a hundred bin bags of laundry are waiting for you in the morning

Grin
Original poster
MsWetherwax · 15/10/2011 22:32

I have no idea what he thinks the washing machine might catch. He doesn't even know how to make it go, let alone how its immune system functions! it isn't care home or anything, the man in question (i didn't catch his name) lives on a house boat so is quite sprightly. Thanks for the support. DP thinks I should charge him, tight fisted misery that he is! Shock

OP posts:
HollywoodAgentForTheLivingDead · 15/10/2011 22:33

Could you not put the machine on a 90 degree wash after you've done the blokes washing?

It is pandering to your DHs territorial feelings towards your washing machine, but it might put his mind at rest.

brdgrl · 15/10/2011 22:34

sounds like you did a good thing. :) why can't people just be nice like that all the time?

nbee84 · 15/10/2011 22:34

Bit Ott from your dh.

I think it was a lovely thing to do Grin

HollywoodAgentForTheLivingDead · 15/10/2011 22:35

'DP thinks I should charge him, tight fisted misery that he is! Shock'

Scrap putting it on the 90 degree wash, the fucker.

LineRunner · 15/10/2011 22:35

Yes, you are kind, but ... Why has the communal machine been knackered for two weeks where you work?

That's not fair to the residents or service users who rely on it.

Kick ass!

ScaredyDog · 15/10/2011 22:37

Give your DP a chinese burn from me, what a misery!!

Is there anything you can do tomorrow to get the machine fixed? Sounds like this man may be paying a fee for using facilities that aren't working, which is a bit crap if he's been waiting two weeks to get it fixed. Can you speak to your boss and encourage them to get it sorted?

Well done to you, told my DP about this thread and he thinks you are lovely too, a very nice thing to do.

ScaredyDog · 15/10/2011 22:38

Just tell DP you've boil washed the mahine...then rub a chilli in his pants! Grumpy sod.

Original poster
MsWetherwax · 15/10/2011 22:45

Hollywood..the conversation went like this.

Dp...Whats in that bag?
Me...Washing
Dp....Why did you take washing to work?
me...I didn't, it's someone else's
Dp...Whose?
Me...Um, some nice old boy off one of the house boats. The one at work is broken.
DP...Are you serious?
Me...Yes, they can't get out to it til tuesday.
DP...I MEANT ABOUT YOU DOING THE WASHING! And WHAT OLD MAN OFF THE HOUSEBOATS?
Me...Oh. Yes, his grandchildren are coming to visit on Monday and he has no clean clothes so I said I'd put a few bits through. I didn't catch his name.
DP....CHRIST ON A BIKE BABE. He could be anyone. Knowing you he's probably a smelly old tramp. God knows what will be crawling around in our washing machine afterwards. We'll probably all catch something. You wash the baby's clothes in there y'know! Either that or he's too tight to pay for washing powder and has just spun you a sob story.
Then he stomped about muttering about how he pays for the electric and how I've opened a free launderette in the kitchen blah blah blah.
And then he went down the pub lol

OP posts:
HollywoodAgentForTheLivingDead · 15/10/2011 22:49

Is the 'babe' bit significant?

To me that would say he was just concerned you might be taken advantage of because he knows how lovely you are Smile

Was he 'angry' angry, or just exasperated at your generosity?

KatieMortician · 15/10/2011 22:50

Actually your DP might have a point. I mean laundrettes are positively teaming.HmmGrin

I think you're very nice.

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