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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:
DojaPhat · 11/04/2023 23:24

I don't think you're really in a position to be judging anyone for something like this...

redbigbananafeet · 11/04/2023 23:25

Maybe she's never owned a dishwasher?

Needmorelego · 11/04/2023 23:25

I'm 47 and I have never used a dishwasher in my life.

Bernadinetta · 11/04/2023 23:26

I’m 37 and I’ve never owned or used a dishwasher.

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 11/04/2023 23:28

56 never owned or used a dishwasher so it'd probably take me a while to figure out what to do too. HTH.

FangsForTheMemory · 11/04/2023 23:28

Ted27 · 11/04/2023 22:39

never owned or used a dishwasher

also never owned an induction hob/oven either and had a very difficult time trying to work it out in a holiday flat last year.

Induction hobs are quite temperamental though. I’ve had mine 18 months and it still surprises me sometimes.

Toddlerteaplease · 11/04/2023 23:31

I hadn't used a domestic one until I was 38 ish. Even now I'm not sure where things go. I
We didn't have one growing up, and I still don't have one now.

MrsMiddleMother · 12/04/2023 00:04

Yabu. I've never had a dishwasher. Seen enough of them to know how to stack it correctly but wouldn't actually know where to put tablet or turn it on

SpringHasSprungAtLast · 12/04/2023 00:05

You didn't know until someone showed you OP. Nobody is born knowing.

CustardySergeant · 12/04/2023 00:08

I've never used a dishwasher in my life. Why would I know how to operate one? I'm 69.

anunlikelyseahorse · 12/04/2023 00:14

Depends on the dishwasher. Ours is very simple, pretty much on/ off. But recently stayed in a holiday cottage and the dishwasher there had so many different programs I had no idea what any of the symbols meant😬. And then two days ago went and stayed with family and their dishwasher blew my mind🤯no obvious programs or even an obvious on/ off switch, the machine was operated on their phone....just so, so over my head😂.

InWalksBarberalla · 12/04/2023 00:27

Not sure why you'd expect every grown woman to automatically know how to operate every brand and model of dishwasher. We don't come preloaded with instructions in our vaginas as far as I know.

Yfory · 12/04/2023 00:27

Im almost 50. Ive never used one and no inclination to do so. I suspect quite a lot of people who only ever use a dishwasher dont know how to wash up by hand - because they never actually do that.

fuzzbearpenguin · 12/04/2023 00:30

YABU and unnecessarily judgmental. I barely know how to use my own dishwasher.

JudgeRudy · 12/04/2023 00:32

I don't know how to use a dishwasher either. I'm older. I could probably work it out but if you were next to me I'd ask.
I'm shocked you're shocked.

toomuchlaundry · 12/04/2023 00:43

Had to sort out some washing for my DM in the communal laundry at the retirement flats where she lives. I can easily operate my own washing machine and tumble dryer but had to have the help of a 90yo to tell me how to work both machines there!

DorritLittle · 12/04/2023 00:46

I am 45 and don’t know how to turn on my own TV half the time.

RememberingGoodTimes · 12/04/2023 00:52

Bao · 11/04/2023 22:30

Sounds like you're being a bit of a dick.

This. You sound like the office bitch to be honest.

ClairDeLaLune · 12/04/2023 00:55

Thedogscollar · 11/04/2023 22:37

I think you need to get a life instead of bitching about whether your new colleague knows how to operate a dishwasher.
You sound welcoming, not.

^ this

ReadersD1gest · 12/04/2023 01:06

It's hardly a life skill, op.

Changemaname1 · 12/04/2023 01:07

Well I wouldn’t either . I have never used one in my life

Manage to wash the pots just fine though so I won’t pity my inadequacy just yet

DaSilvaP · 12/04/2023 01:12

The "user interface" for electronics relying on the most basic chips is simply awful - not fit for purpose.
I can fix computers, but more than one "simple" gadget left me baffled, and wasting a lot of time on figuring out how they work.

ToWhitToWhoo · 12/04/2023 01:14

Maybe she hasn't got one; it's not unknown! Or the controls are very different.

I'd rather deal with someone who stacks it properly but needs instructions in turning it on, than someone who turns it on but ends up breaking dishes because they haven't stacked them properly,

ToWhitToWhoo · 12/04/2023 01:17

PS Slightly off-topic- but how do you know she's exactly 41 anyway? Do you go around asking all your colleaguea for their exact ages?

ananass · 12/04/2023 01:17

YABU. I've never had a dishwasher, still hold down a professional well paid job though.

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