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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think pants shouldn't be on the washing line if you have guests?

148 replies

midsummercat · 20/06/2021 15:35

I attended a BBQ at a colleague's house this weekend (in the garden obviously) and I thought it was a bit strange because his pants were on the washing line in full view of everyone. I felt a bit embarrassed about it but he didn't seem phased. There were about 10 other people from work there.

Maybe I'm a bit odd, but I wouldn't put my underwear on the washing line if i have people over. AIBU? Confused

OP posts:
RedToothBrush · 20/06/2021 16:35

@Soontobe60

I never hang out my underwear… my bras are huge! All underwear goes in the dryer - dh hates his pants being stiff if they have been line dried.
Save the whales, polar bears, avocodo plants, tigers, elephants and Tonga!

Put your pants out on the line, embarass the neighbours so at least Holland will be fine!

We all now know why we have global warming. Its due to pant-astic embassment and men with a fear of stiff pants.

Ob-vious-ly.

Mummyoflittledragon · 20/06/2021 16:37

Would be a non issue for me vis a vis the underwear.

That said I wouldn’t have people over with washing on the line nearby especially for a bbq.

JustDanceAddict · 20/06/2021 16:38

It’s def strange.
I never leave clothes airing if I know guests are coming. If it’s my bestie for a coffee then I don’t care, but otherwise I’ll schedule a wash afterwards or well before.
If it’s impromptu then tough!!

OnTheSeaShore · 20/06/2021 16:38

I agree OP. But I'm old and my late mother had strict rules about such stuff! 😂

ObviousNameChage · 20/06/2021 16:38

I'd probably pick mine up for work people. Not for close friends or family.

Definitely wouldn't bother me seeing someone else's.

bringincrazyback · 20/06/2021 16:38

I wouldn't leave mine on the line if I knew people were coming over. Underwear is private in my book.

maddiemookins16mum · 20/06/2021 16:40

I wouldn’t have washing out
a) during a BBQ
b) when visitors were in the garden (unless just towels etc)
c) would certainly not have my under garments on display

Kanaloa · 20/06/2021 16:40

It wouldn’t bother me at someone else’s house but I wouldn’t leave mine out for people to see at my house.

Keepingitreal14 · 20/06/2021 16:41

@GreyhoundG1rl

Why would you not put underwear on a washing line? That's two posters who've claimed they don't.
I rarely do, mainly out of pure laziness, it’s too small and faffy, Chuck underwear in the dryer. Hand out T-shirt’s, joggers etc.

I personally wouldn’t leave under wear on the line when I had planned visitors but equally wouldn’t be bothered if someone dropped round and it was on the line.

GreyhoundG1rl · 20/06/2021 16:41

@khakiandcoral

Its' weird to expose your laundry when you have guests, in the garden or in the middle of your living room, but each to their own. Some people are a bit scruffy.

I wouldn't put my kids underwear on the line either, my eldest might get embarrassed (or teased) by her sibling's friend, but apart from that.

Your kids would be teased because you line dry their pants... It just keeps getting weirder...
GreyHare · 20/06/2021 16:42

I have many hang ups (fnar fnar)about the washing line, mainly drummed into by my mother, she spent hours instructing me on how to hang washing on a whirly gig washing line, barricading the pants and knickers (because men wear pants but girls/ladies wear knickers) and bras into the inner most space working out to socks and vests then tops, skirts, dresses and trousers, so no prying eye could see and undergarments. I only have a straight washing line now, but I do die inside if someone turns up and undies are hung out, if I know people are coming then I won't hang washing out, and I would be a bit wtf at turning up to bbq to see the hosts pants hanging out, sorry but I would.

FlorenceWintle · 20/06/2021 16:43

I’m with you OP. I would put away my knickers if I was having guests and doubly so if they were work colleagues! I think it’s a bit odd that he didn’t.

And people saying they’re just clothes - they’re not, they’re underwear. To be worn under your clothes and not supposed to be seen by all and sundry.

Aneley · 20/06/2021 16:43

If it was family or close friend I wouldn't bat an eyelid. If it was a colleague or an acquaintance - I'd find it really inappropriate.

Shodan · 20/06/2021 16:43
Grin Reminds of one of my early dates with (now) XH. Went to use his loo and there was a full airer of clothes drying in the bathroom.

Not a problem! I hear you cry. Well, no, no problem - apart from the several Man Thongs that were on there too.

Should've known there was something dodgy about him. Grin

All that aside, I do think it's a bit odd to have your smalls on display at a bbq. Not something I would do, and I'm not exactly the best housekeeper in the world.

Jabbinell · 20/06/2021 16:43

Crusty bbq pants Grin

JustJustWhy · 20/06/2021 16:47

I'd want lots of prior warning so I'd know to take my clutch pearls and smelling salts.

StoneofDestiny · 20/06/2021 16:48

I remember being at party hosted by a bloke from work. It was winter and he had 7 pairs of pants up on the pulley in the kitchen (kitchen maid I think some call it!). I know there were 7 pairs as just about everybody was counting and commenting at least he changed them daily 😂. I did think it odd to leave them up as an inevitable 'attraction' that drew a host of jokes as the night went on.
I'd not have left mine up there - even my best ones 😂

Standrewsschool · 20/06/2021 17:02

Yes, I would think it was odd to leave any washing out when having a barbecue (and entertaining in general), but especially pants.

InFiveMins · 20/06/2021 17:02

I would be mortified to have any washing on the line with guests round to be honest, but definitely wouldn't have pants on there!

Very Hyacinth Bucket of me I'm sure, but I don't care - you just shouldn't have guests round with underwear out on your washing line!

InFiveMins · 20/06/2021 17:03

I also bet everyone who attended felt exactly the same. It's weird.

Standrewsschool · 20/06/2021 17:03

(I always put my underwear on the inside of a rotary washing line, so they are hidden by the clothes on the outside)

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 20/06/2021 17:05

I think it's a bit odd to leave your undies hanging out while having guests round for a barbecue, or any other reason!

I absolutely wouldn't do this and would be embarrassed myself if it happened by accident.

However, if a friend/colleague did it, I'd have a bit of a laugh about it and wonder how on earth they are not embarrassed - but I wouldn't be embarrassed for them.

borntobequiet · 20/06/2021 17:12

Maybe they couldn’t afford bunting.

UrAWizHarry · 20/06/2021 17:15

@InFiveMins

I also bet everyone who attended felt exactly the same. It's weird.
It's weirder to give it any headspace whatsoever.
NotMeNoNo · 20/06/2021 17:15

I would not care. He's a man, he's probably oblivious.

It's a bit funny that he didn't think to tidy them away but nothing weird about owning/washing clothes or drying them in the old fashioned environmentally friendly way.
This is going on the long list of things I didn't know it was possible to worry about before MN.