Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think a grown woman....

405 replies

ToTheMax0 · 11/04/2023 22:28

Should be able to know how to operate a dishwasher?
New colleague didn't know how to do it. She stacked it correctly but was then standing around looking stumped. I had to intervene and help.
She is 41!

OP posts:
LittleRedRidingBoots · 13/04/2023 18:47

Luckyduc · 13/04/2023 10:00

I'm 40 and wouldn't have a clue either yet I hold a degree and have travelled the world. Who has a dishwasher these days, such a 1990s trend thats outdated.....its all about saving thr planet now. Dishwashers are for lazy folk.

For lazy folk?! Wow

GUARDIAN1 · 13/04/2023 18:48

I'm 62 and have never used a dishwasher. Just my own hands and a pair of rubber gloves. I wouldn't know where to start.

mrssanchez · 13/04/2023 18:57

I've never used one. Could probably do it with instructions or a quick demo, I can't imagine it's too hard but I wouldn't have a clue if you just let me at it.

Tbh, I hate washing up and wouldn't mind one but we simply don't have any space. I don't have a tumble dryer, a drive, a garage or a garden either, not everyone is like you. I'm just grateful to have a house.

purplebunny2012 · 13/04/2023 19:02

Rubio2014Dublin · 13/04/2023 18:25

I understand your position entirely! In days gone by, I quite possibly wouldn't have hidden my surprise or the fact that I thought she was some kind of idiot. However, after living a little bit more now, I try never to make assumptions or belittle anybody (even to myself) because I've encountered the most beautiful people who weren't as fortunate as I have been, some who grew up in the care system and had to literally figure out all basic life skills and daily living practices without any support or direction from an elder person! When I heard their history, I was heartbroken and also in complete awe of them for making it so far when plenty of others would use it as their reason for never taking accountability or responsibility for any mistakes they made OR try to learn from said mistakes, instead they are quite satisfied to sit back and assume that someone else will fix it while they are thinking of some other way to use this to add to their story where they are ALWAYS the victim and the wronged person who always suffer from the unfairness of the world!
This is just one possibility for her lack of life skills, there's numerous things that she has gone through that would explain why she struggles with things that we may assume are the norm. I'd suggest that you try and befriend her- who knows- it could be the start of the best friendship you've ever had!

WTF kind of drivel did I just (try to) read? It's not a basic life skill and please don't feel sorry for people because they've never operated a sodding dishwasher!

LaDamaDeElche · 13/04/2023 19:04

I've never had or used a dishwasher, so no idea if I could work it or not. I might need someone to show me first time. No idea how easy/complicate they are.

MrsR87 · 13/04/2023 19:09

Arniesleftleg · 13/04/2023 18:08

YABU. Not everyone has the luxury or even wants a dishwasher! I was almost 30 the first time I used one. Didn't have a clue till a colleague showed me how.

Exactly this. I have and use a dishwasher but have never owned a microwave in my adult life (I’m 35) and whilst I’m sure I could work out how to operate it, I wouldn’t have a clue how long to cook things for! Wasn’t aware this is the kind of thing I would be judged on!

theblackradiator · 13/04/2023 19:09

Luredbyapomegranate · 11/04/2023 22:33

Have you really got nothing better to think about?

yes this!
I'm 40s and wouldn't have a clue how to use one either because ive never had or used one. surely by the time you've stacked everything in one you could've just washed them by hand anyway. plus saving on electricity. plus for some reason I've always imagined washing by hand to be more hygienic. have you seen all the gunk in washing machine piping and filters etc after a while surely a dishwasher is similar🤢.

Nellieinthebarn · 13/04/2023 19:12

Well I'm 59 and have only got a dish washer in the last year. I think you are being a bit judgemental to be honest, not everyone lives with all mod cons.

Princessbananahamock · 13/04/2023 19:12

I’m bit of a mixed basket. I’ve learnt from watching others or utube how to fix things. I’ll take apart a spa tub or iPhone to fix. However I’m more hands on mechanical minded.
I always am shocked by friends who can’t do basic stuff like set up a tv, put up a shelf or blind and flat pack things! A dishwasher is pretty basic put wash tab in turn to temp wash cycle press on. Simple.
Im in my fifties by the way.

fragolino · 13/04/2023 19:14

No.

I
Do you think we should all get trained on every thing?

We had new dishwasher and it's WiFi. I can't use it

Boxofsockss · 13/04/2023 19:15

I only learnt recently when I moved into a house that had one. Never ever used one in my life prior to that so yes I think YABU.

ReadersD1gest · 13/04/2023 19:15

Princessbananahamock · 13/04/2023 19:12

I’m bit of a mixed basket. I’ve learnt from watching others or utube how to fix things. I’ll take apart a spa tub or iPhone to fix. However I’m more hands on mechanical minded.
I always am shocked by friends who can’t do basic stuff like set up a tv, put up a shelf or blind and flat pack things! A dishwasher is pretty basic put wash tab in turn to temp wash cycle press on. Simple.
Im in my fifties by the way.

You seem to have a very basic model.

Heyhoitsme · 13/04/2023 19:18

I had my first dishwasher when I moved into this house. I asked the previous owner how to use it and she said "it's idiot proof". That didn't help but I worked it out when she'd gone.

JustAnotherManicNameChange · 13/04/2023 19:23

Rubio2014Dublin · 13/04/2023 18:25

I understand your position entirely! In days gone by, I quite possibly wouldn't have hidden my surprise or the fact that I thought she was some kind of idiot. However, after living a little bit more now, I try never to make assumptions or belittle anybody (even to myself) because I've encountered the most beautiful people who weren't as fortunate as I have been, some who grew up in the care system and had to literally figure out all basic life skills and daily living practices without any support or direction from an elder person! When I heard their history, I was heartbroken and also in complete awe of them for making it so far when plenty of others would use it as their reason for never taking accountability or responsibility for any mistakes they made OR try to learn from said mistakes, instead they are quite satisfied to sit back and assume that someone else will fix it while they are thinking of some other way to use this to add to their story where they are ALWAYS the victim and the wronged person who always suffer from the unfairness of the world!
This is just one possibility for her lack of life skills, there's numerous things that she has gone through that would explain why she struggles with things that we may assume are the norm. I'd suggest that you try and befriend her- who knows- it could be the start of the best friendship you've ever had!

It doesn't sound like you changed as much as you think you did .

wentworthinmate · 13/04/2023 19:31

These days you’d think everyone would know but my mother wouldn’t. She is 73 though. At 41 you’d think at least she’d work it out.

Silvers11 · 13/04/2023 19:33

How very judgemental of you. New dishwashers, new washing machines, ALL take time to work out how they work if they are not the same. Holidays with different equipment can be a nightmare for that reason.

So she may, or may not have used one before. So?

Manichean · 13/04/2023 19:34

I am 70, don't have a dish washer and would not know how to use one. Don't be so judgey.

GreenSunfish · 13/04/2023 19:49

I know how to work my dishwasher but wouldn’t know how to use the one at your work either.

LilQueenie · 13/04/2023 19:49

never had one, never needed one. Were you born with knowledge of how to use every appliance? I think not.

Dibbydoos · 13/04/2023 19:49

I think you're a little too judgemental, OP.

Take a chill pill...

oosha · 13/04/2023 19:52

Ridiculous post and who cares. I don’t use one and would have to faff around before I worked out which settings to select etc. Why is this even a thing?

chaosmaker · 13/04/2023 20:09

JoBrodie · 12/04/2023 13:56

I have a dishwasher but I'm a bit scared of it and treat it more like an overengineered (well it's plumbed in and electrified) cupboard ;)

People might enjoy "Microwave Racing" a two-minute video my friend Dominic created as part of a project we were working on a few years ago.

All microwaves do is heat food but they seem to have so many different features which just complicates things. We've actually used this at a science festival as a game, along with getting people (kids and adults) to try and set an alarm on a clock radio. The project was about the design of medical devices and how the design can affect ease of use and safety.

Jo

I'm a carer and the daughter of one of the women I care for buys all sorts of overly complicated gadgetry for no earthly reason than that it's expensive. It would be better for all concerned if it was just the basic kettle/microwave so that we didn't need to waste time trying to work out how to use them. Totally unnecessary.

AnnieSnap · 13/04/2023 20:11

If she has never used one, it’s hardly surprising she had to look at it awhile whilst working it out! Do you judge people this easily for many things, or is your judgement confined to people being unable to use technology?

Anonymouseposter · 13/04/2023 20:28

OP doesn’t sound very nice. Even if you do have a dishwasher some models are a bit different to set the programme. OP sounds like the kind of person who would rather leave a new colleague feeling uncomfortable than show them something simple.

knittingaddict · 13/04/2023 20:41

We always book holiday cottages with dishwashers. Despite having one at home it always takes a few minutes to work out how an unfamiliar one works. You sound unnecessarily mean op.