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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:
PoseyFlump · 14/04/2023 06:25

I've come to the same conclusion @knittingaddict What saddens me is that I'm also starting to suspect some of the 'I'm going to leave my husband' threads aren't real and that's a shame for the women who really do need some anonymous support.

LouLou198 · 14/04/2023 07:13

I'm the same age.
Never owned a dishwasher so I would be the same.
First used one on holiday, no instructions with it so I just pressed a couple of buttons and hoped for the best!

Ineke · 14/04/2023 07:49

I would also be puzzled with dishwasher, would eventually work it out by trial and error.

Bao · 14/04/2023 08:37

@ToTheMax0 where did you go?

MammaMacgill87 · 14/04/2023 08:42

I'm 35, I've never used a dishwasher, I've never seen someone use one Infront of me. I'm not saying I'd fail I'm sure I'd figure it out but I can't say I know off hand how to use one. What an odd thing to dig someone out over 🤔

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 14/04/2023 08:43

I'd have no idea - I've never used one.

I could figure it out but I wouldn't know off the top of my head 🤷‍♀️

RachaelN · 14/04/2023 08:46

I've had a dishwasher most of my adult life. My parents got a new integrated one and for the life of me I couldn't work out how to get it going. Sounds like you are being a dick to me.

LovelyIssues · 14/04/2023 10:11

I don't own a dishwasher lol and wouldn't know how to use one. We're only a family of 4, so it's never been necessary to have one

MarkWithaC · 14/04/2023 12:04

LovelyIssues · 14/04/2023 10:11

I don't own a dishwasher lol and wouldn't know how to use one. We're only a family of 4, so it's never been necessary to have one

We're a household of three adults and we have one! If I lived with just DP, or even on my own, I'd have one as well. Life's too short to spend it washing up. Plus I have chronic wrist and hand pain and it's one less stress to put on them.

zingally · 14/04/2023 12:46

I wouldn't particularly know how to use one either. I've never owned one!

Morgysmum · 14/04/2023 15:31

She might not how to. I was lucky and had a dishwasher growing up. But I don't think my best friend had one, then when we moved house age 20. My parents didn't buy a dishwasher.
Then living in rented, none has dishwashers. So if she doesn't have the money to buy one. Or lives in rented she probably hasn't used one. The loading part is the easy bit, but the tablets to wash might not be straight forward.

NannaKaren · 14/04/2023 16:58

I hope you offered to show her?
honestly - kindness peeps! How soon people forget to be just basically polite to each other !!!

ALongHardWinter · 14/04/2023 17:21

I've never owned a dishwasher or used one,so I'd have no idea how to use one! I don't think this makes me a lesser human being! 😂

Madamum18 · 14/04/2023 19:20

How daft to post a out this. Some people dont own a dishwasher. Or different dishwasher, different controls. Poor colleague working with such judgemental co workers!!

TiedUpWithABlackVelvetBand · 14/04/2023 19:23

LovelyIssues · 14/04/2023 10:11

I don't own a dishwasher lol and wouldn't know how to use one. We're only a family of 4, so it's never been necessary to have one

Non-negotiable for a family of 4, IMO.

No thanks to hand-washing endless dishes.

Barney60 · 14/04/2023 20:01

i have a dishwasher, it came with property, ive never used it when to me its just as simple to wash a few pots by hand, i wouldnt have a clue either, so i think your being unreasonable.

Ineke · 14/04/2023 22:40

I can’t believe I have wasted my time reading this thread.

TheKobayashiMaru · 15/04/2023 07:34

NannaKaren · 14/04/2023 16:58

I hope you offered to show her?
honestly - kindness peeps! How soon people forget to be just basically polite to each other !!!

I doubt this situation ever happened 🤣

PoseyFlump · 15/04/2023 08:31

I suspect you're right @TheKobayashiMaru Wink

The hardest thing with dishwashers and washing machines is when you put them on the wrong setting and have to spend hours trying to figure out which combination of buttons you need to press to cancel the damn programme.

wombat1a · 15/04/2023 09:07

50+ and I have never used or owned one either. I could stack it as my family have one each but I wouldn't have a clue how to turn it on/off, settings or how much liquid/pellets etc to put in.

The microwave broke at work 2 weeks ago, when we were polled about replacements I had to admit I had never been able to figure out how to use it so it didn't matter to me if they even got a new one. Everytime I went in and could have used there was always someone else in the kitchen so I didn't want to be 'that person' who was the one who needed help to work it so I never once used it. I see they have a new one, I doubt I will ever use it, I used to love me old one, two dials, power and time, now with the all the buttons they are too confusing.

kitsuneghost · 15/04/2023 09:25

I'm 42 and work with technical machinery and had to get my dad to show me how to use my parents. Never had one, no need for one.

winnieanddaisy · 15/04/2023 13:53

We had a new dishwasher fitted on Wednesday. So far the only person who has worked out how to use it is my son-in-law . I’m sure he’ll show the rest of us soon 😁

CrazyLadie · 15/04/2023 19:43

Pocketfullofdogtreats · 11/04/2023 22:33

It took me two days to work out how to work the microwave in our holiday cottage last year, and that's with online instructions!

🤣🤣🤣 Brilliant!!! This is so totally me 😅😅

Pocketfullofdogtreats · 16/04/2023 09:03

CrazyLadie · 15/04/2023 19:43

🤣🤣🤣 Brilliant!!! This is so totally me 😅😅

Show quote history

DH is very logical and he was baffled too. It turned out you had to do a particular sequence of pressing the buttons - not intuitive at all. I like my simple one from Argos!

Pocketfullofdogtreats · 16/04/2023 13:56

wombat1a · 15/04/2023 09:07

50+ and I have never used or owned one either. I could stack it as my family have one each but I wouldn't have a clue how to turn it on/off, settings or how much liquid/pellets etc to put in.

The microwave broke at work 2 weeks ago, when we were polled about replacements I had to admit I had never been able to figure out how to use it so it didn't matter to me if they even got a new one. Everytime I went in and could have used there was always someone else in the kitchen so I didn't want to be 'that person' who was the one who needed help to work it so I never once used it. I see they have a new one, I doubt I will ever use it, I used to love me old one, two dials, power and time, now with the all the buttons they are too confusing.

The new one will be new to everyone, so next time you see someone using it, say "Ooh, have you figured it out? Show me!". I would pick someone nice, or the office junior. Your post made me sad - how did you learn to work the photocopier? Did you ever teach someone how to work it? At work especially, we often have to be prepared to ask someone to show us, otherwise we don't learn. Forget about the judgemental OP who started this thread - most people are only too happy to share their knowledge. We all have different knowledge and skills and doubtless you have abilities that your confident microwave-using colleagues don't. Ask them. Then when you fancy a baked potato for lunch you'll be all set! Xx