'Don't you have a boyfriend or husband who can look at that?'

[buzzmoon]

boiler issues, and speaking to a plumber who says the above.

Sorry just because I have a vagina that makes me incapable of doing it myself?

AIBU, or should I have said F you!

My local garage gives me a discount because the old man that owns it thinks my husband walked out and left me and the kids, I couldn't get a word in to put him straight, he kept telling me what a cowered my husband is for not sticking by his family. I chucked my husband out 2 years ago .

Yesterday I had a problem with my car and I had men offering to fix it for me because obviously I am not capable. I managed to fix it myself, no need for a man to rescue me.

I've had this, I phone our last letting agency as the back garden fence was broken and had been before we moved it asking them to fix it. He replied can your husband not do it? Erm no, he is useless and I do all the diy etc, and why should we pay for a whole new fence that was promised repair before we moved in.

Seriously my dh is useless at building flat pack, any form of repairs, it is quite a sight to watch him try.

It's so bloody patronising and uncalled for.

those taking offence need to grow up..

As a single parent and homeowner, I've had nothing but respect and professionalism from those coming to my house to fix things. They were obviously well trained. The feeling I got was that they themselves would be most miffed if their partners were treated with such disrespect, and would never use the phrase you do. This also includes garage staff.

*When I was single I would openly flirt with any man I summoned to the house to mend anything. Amazing what extra little bits and bobs they would fix with a bit of flattery and eye lash fluttering.

Not very women's lib but if they are stupid enough to fall for it.*

Haha! That's how to play it

Plus I had a friend who is a single mum, who flirted wildly with all those who came to her house to fix things and with the guy who fixed her car (she ended up having sex with him in his office ). She was always overcharged and the work was never done properly.

What is it they say on Mumsnet - "fuck off" is a complete sentence

The guy at [large chain that sells stereos] did this to us when we were buying a stereo. He was making all these comments about boys' toys and stuff and he showed us this one that had smallish speakers. He was like this to DH: "this is a good compromise because you've still got a lot of power, but the speakers won't take up the whole room" and DH was like "well it's DW you'll need to convince because she's had her heart set on a pair of coffin-sized speakers ever since we moved in together."

Years ago when I used to build computers for friends I'd take them to the shop to get the components and every single time the shop assistants would talk to them not me even though it was plainly obvious that I was choosing and putting the stuff on the counter etc.

Taking offence to a guy who, by the sound of it, had nothing but good Intentions and then wanting to blacklist the guy really is sixth form over sensitive behaviour by those only willing to rub along with those in total agreement with their 'snowflake' views of the world.. Get real please..

The guy is in the real world as it is today, only trying to be helpful, and by making this non remark into some enormous incident will only have a counter effect as it thus starts to appear that anyone wanting expressing a concern about fairness for women is some uber sensitive sheltered, bored middle class ranter...

Start being ridiculous and picky about things and the majority don't take you seriously.. ffs "can your other half not fit a plug", rather than "yeah I'll come round and put one on for £80" ...End of the female species or what...!

Had a builder once ask me to ask my husband to turn on the water supply to the outside tap. Rather snippily I responded that it wasn't beyond my capabilities.

Pfttt, I had a horrendous old boiler when I moved into my house and I fiddled with the wet side of it all the time to unstick the pump etc.

Just keep away from the hot/smelly bits.

I'd have told him you were too busy cooking your husband's dinner to trouble him with questions, whilst twirling a lock of hair around your finger.

Then clubbed him to death with his own wrench....

Peak 'little lady' incident for me was when a workman (a plasterer I think) came to my door at the same time a male courier was there - and he directed his comments AT THE COURIER. And the courier confirmed to him that I would be home on x date. He'd never met me before! I wish I'd spoken up but I was just too stunned...

Another irritating one was when the boiler was being temperamental, it would start and stop whenever it felt like it. So I turned it off and arranged for someone to look at it. I explained the situation to him, he bounded upstairs - then two minutes later he shouted in to me "You had it switched off!!" and left, chuckling to himself.

Femski You're determined to get attention, arent you? Here's some for you. I hope you like it.

I'm not sure that not wanting to be treated as a moronic doormat makes me a snowflake.

I get the same thing every time my car goes in for a service and I ask them to look at a particular problem - they usually say something along the lines of "don't you worry about it love, we will have look and find out if there is a problem" erm I just told you there is and where it is in the car......

there was also the time we visited a Rover garage to pick my new car - the sales guy directed every question to my husband even when I asked it he never spoke to me. My husband kept telling him the car was for me!

I can fix my own washing machine and have done and I am more than capable of changing a tyre but if I am by the side of the road and someone offers to help me or I call the washing machine person because I can't be arsed to do it then I will milk it for all it's worth - and if I choose to do that and play "little women" it's my choice.,

I'm certainly not letting DP do anything in place of our gas engineer - ours is sweet eye candy ... which reminds me there is something wrong with one of our radiators

We had it when choosing a new bath - all the "cleaning" remarks were directed at me - which really pissed me off.

I agree Femski people on here have far too much time being constantly offended by anything said by a man and God forbid you're a tradesman!

JackieMac probably went to a regular comprehensive

Grr. We had someone come and install new windows before Christmas and the bloke kept ringing my husband to ask him questions and also to tell him he was finished even when I was standing right next to him!

As a single parent I get this all the time. Don't understand something? Ask your husband! Need help? Where's your useless husband when you need him?
My standard response is now oh my imaginary fictional husband you mean? The one I don't have? I'll keep a lookout and when I see him I'll tell him you were asking...

Oh and my mil have my husband a jumper for Christmas and apologised directly to me about the fact that it had specific washing instructions. I said "that's ok I won't be washing it"

As a single parent I get this all the time. Don't understand something? Ask your husband! Need help? Where's your useless husband when you need him?
My standard response is now oh my imaginary fictional husband you mean? The one I don't have? I'll keep a lookout and when I see him I'll tell him you were asking...