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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think it's weird to not do anything while the kettle boils....

48 replies

unicornfarts · 23/04/2018 16:07

If OH is making a cuppa he'll literally stand next to the kettle while it boils, stand watching the tea brew etc, while I on the other hand use the time to do a spot of tidying - putting dishes away or washing up a couple of plates, wipe down the counter.....at the very least, get the mugs ready with coffee/ sugar/ teabags or whatever....I think it's really weird to just stand there while the kettle boils - AIBU?

OP posts:
SneakyGremlins · 23/04/2018 16:08

I mean mine's never full so it only takes around 30 seconds anyway, during which I fill mug with hot choc/soup etc..

Trinity66 · 23/04/2018 16:08

I think it's more weird that it bothers you that much tbh Grin

AnneLovesGilbert · 23/04/2018 16:09

I think it depends. I usually get the mugs ready but sometimes find myself enjoying a look out of the window. There are birds who sit on the end garden fence who I like watching.

Life isn’t all about rushing to the next thing Smile

gamerchick · 23/04/2018 16:10

Yes I’ve noticed this with every single dude who I’ve watched make a cup of something. They always wait for the kettle to boil.

That’s every single man. Mind I’ve seen woman do it as well but not 100% man.

I did ask the husband once and he said he likes to get the water into the cup at it’s hottest. I personally think it’s their daydreaming time and they need to stand still for it Grin

LiveLifeWithPassion · 23/04/2018 16:10

I go on my phone.
But I could be doing squats or something

YouCantCallMeBetty · 23/04/2018 16:11

I'm with you so YANBU. It is very rare that there is nothing that needs doing in our kitchen so there are always little jobs to do

itallhappensforareason · 23/04/2018 16:11

I get the mugs ready but would then just normally sit down until the kettle has boiled. Would normally make a cuppa after the dishes and everything have been done.

Doje · 23/04/2018 16:11

Crikey this bothers me too! I've emptied the dishwasher / swept the floor by the time the kettle boils. DH just sits and reads twitter.

And Trinity, it bothers me, because it's one more job I've done that he hasn't!

Original poster
unicornfarts · 23/04/2018 16:11

never noticed it until more recently when he'll say he can't pick up the crying toddler (for instance) because he's boiling the kettle/ brewing a cuppa! Confused

OP posts:
AnneLovesGilbert · 23/04/2018 16:11

We drink coffee and not tea. And you don’t put boiling water over coffee.

Takes away the urgency.

BertieBotts · 23/04/2018 16:12

I have been known to leave the room and totally forget that it was boiling at all Blush low attention span, me?

Original poster
unicornfarts · 23/04/2018 16:14

that's the thing - I would get it if he's looking on his phone or doing something that's obviously downtime (watching the birds etc) ....but he's just watching the kettle or the mug and not daydreaming because he hears the kids talking to him etc - just says he can;t answer them because he's busy?

OP posts:
AnnUnderTheFryingPan · 23/04/2018 16:17

I knew this was an OH thing before I clicked 🤣

drspouse · 23/04/2018 16:19

I have been known to leave the room and totally forget that it was boiling at all blush low attention span, me?

This is me.

MrsRyanGosling15 · 23/04/2018 16:21

I do squats when the kettle boils. Also when the microwave is on for a short time. Or see how many times I can run up and down the stairs. I have a very sad life, I know. (this is the total extent of my exercise. I'm not some fitness freak. I wish!)

Housewife2010 · 23/04/2018 16:22

It seems really quaint waiting for a kettle to boil; we have a boiling water tap and would never go back.

AngelsWithSilverWings · 23/04/2018 16:24

I used to see how much tidying/housework I could do in the minutes that the kettle was boiling.

We now have a boiling tap so I can't do that anymore!

I do it during adverts on TV too.

Jozxyqk · 23/04/2018 16:26

I agree. DH goes to make tea / dinner, & that's literally all he'll do. Even if there's times when he's waiting because it's coming up to the boil, simmering, whatever. I make use of the spare time to wash up, tidy, do extra jobs etc. We are at opposite ends of the spectrum WRT our attitude to tidiness - I want it all done Right Now, he'd procrastinate until Hell froze over. I've tried leaving it for him to do... He will literally never get round to doing it.

Jozxyqk · 23/04/2018 16:27

I'd be worried about a boiling tap - I'm so absent minded I'd probably scald myself. I poured boiling water on my hand twice in one week recently. Idiot.

Original poster
unicornfarts · 23/04/2018 16:32

Jozxyqk - so true of mine also - - - have you done that thing where you leave something on the stairs to see how long it will stay there if you don't put it away? I could;t last more than a week to be fair, but I'm confident it would be into the months!!

OP posts:
Trialsmum · 23/04/2018 16:32

Bless him, it’s probably not occurred to his teeny little mind that you could do something else while you wait 😂.

BennyTheBall · 23/04/2018 16:32

I do 100 squats and 200 lunges.

Not really, I gaze out of the window in a trance.

flowerslemonade · 23/04/2018 16:37

I do the 'kettle dance'

hellokittymania · 23/04/2018 16:43

I have to get the cup ready with the coffee grounds and get the milk out, and whatever else I'm having.

SendintheArdwolves · 23/04/2018 16:44

So is the problem:

  1. That your DH doesn't fill that time with meaningful activity? In which case - meh, let him have his moment of mindfulness as he gazes into the middle distance and waits for the kettle to boil

  2. That he isn't pulling his weight on the domestic front, and actually leaves his own child to cry because he is "busy" watching the kettle?

If it's (2) then I'd be very surprised if this is his only example of laziness...