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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:
melj1213 · 12/04/2023 01:18

Well this thread is t going the way you expected, is it OP?

YABMassivelyU

There's a million reasons why someone may struggle to work a dishwasher - they haven't ever owned one, they have a different one so they're figuring out how this one works as it's different to theirs, they don't know what the usual office use setting is, they don't know if it's usually put on by set people at set times ... All of which is to say you're a dick for being so judgemental.

We have a dishwasher in the staff canteen at the supermarket I work at. It's so well used that the markings have worn off the front so we have no idea what any of the cycles are other than the three we use - it has a dial to turn on, top centre is off, one "click" left is the quick cycle we use during the day to get stuff washed asap when we have a high volume of use, two "clicks" to the right is the longer cycle we use overnight or if the dishwasher is totally full and 4 "clicks to the right is the rinse cycle we use once a month to keep it working properly. If someone new came on then they might not notice when they're initially stacking the machine, but when they go to turn it on and there's no key to show what each cycle is or even which one we use I can imagine them just looking a little lost.

BreviloquentBastard · 12/04/2023 01:20

Didn't have a dishwasher until I was 31 so I'd probably have struggled too.

I think grown women should be capable of understanding that some people live different lives to their own. I mean that's generally a life skill one learns in highschool so you're a little behind there OP.

Weatherwax13 · 12/04/2023 01:21

It took three of us to work out how to start the washing machine in our holiday rental last month.
I feel a bit sorry for this woman in a new workplace and having a colleague already bitching about her.

QueenCamilla · 12/04/2023 01:24

I wouldn't know how to operate a dishwasher, have never owned one but have stacked it at friend's.

A year ago was the first time I pressed some buttons on a microwave. At 35.

I can rewire a room, fix roof-leaks, brick-up doorways, put in new joists and floors... Those are THE life-skills as they're saving me 0000's. Can't say I care if my colleagues re-point their own houses though... 🤷

Sailthisshipalone · 12/04/2023 01:30

I’m 40 years old and never owned a dishwasher!
I would actually love to have one but our house has a small kitchen so no room for one.
I was delighted on holiday last year that our caravan had one! Although it took me minute to figure out how to work the thing!

steff13 · 12/04/2023 01:37

My mother never used a dishwasher in her life. She might have been able to guess how to use it, I suppose, but she wouldn't have known.

Casilero · 12/04/2023 01:42

I got a new dishwasher 3 months ago and I still stare at it blankly half the time before I remember which combination of buttons to press. I guarantee this will come to you so don't be too smug!

inadarkdarkhouseinadarkdarkstreet · 12/04/2023 01:49

I'm a middle aged woman who cooked half a chicken the wrong way up this evening. I put the bone bit on the top but it should have been at the bottom of the tray apparently, who knew? not me! In my defence I am long term vegetarian : )

ThinWomansBrain · 12/04/2023 02:01

I'm more concerned about people I've taken on recently who can't use more than basic Excel TBH - that's part of their job FFS.
Just be pleased that your new colleague is helping out with the dishwasher rather than leaving it for you to do?

I still can't set the clock on my microwave - had it for at least 4 years. Can shove stuff in on full power and set it for X minutes.
I think I know how to reduce the power - but why bother when you can blitz stuff?

Poppins2016 · 12/04/2023 02:03

Luredbyapomegranate · 11/04/2023 22:33

Microwaves can be WEIRD. More do than dishwashers IMO

Show quote history

I'll chime in to agree with that. New (to me) washing machines or dishwashers are usually very straightforward, but microwave menus often seem to need a crystal ball...

ZiriForEver · 12/04/2023 02:05

Getting confused by an unknown dishwasher is normal, especially if it is one of those with buttons inside.
When traveling, I got routinely puzzled by showers, it is amazing how many different ways to set temperature and strength of stream were invented by the humankind on just two continents.
I heard that in East Asia, even operating the toilet might be rather challenging.

inadarkdarkhouseinadarkdarkstreet · 12/04/2023 02:08

I've had my microwave for about three years and all I know to do is press the 30 second increment button; it's twice for reheating tea, four/five times for soup etc and then I also know about the reset button. 😁Technology is wasted on me 😂

DrPrunesquallor · 12/04/2023 02:10

We don’t use a dishwasher. Never have. Never will.
Guessing they’re not complicated but like your colleague I may initially be stumped

Liorae · 12/04/2023 02:19

Hubblebubble · 11/04/2023 22:32

I wouldn't either. I've never had one. I could afford one, but it doesn't strike me as energy efficient or best hygienic.

Its actually more hygienic and energy efficient than hand washing dishes.

Ponderingwindow · 12/04/2023 03:01

I don’t know how to operate the dishwasher we have owned for about 6 months. For multiple reasons, the dishwasher is Dh’s chore. He gets quite annoyed if I try to help. Someday he will go on a trip and I will learn how to operate our current machine.

SheSaidHummingbird · 12/04/2023 03:23

I would love to own a dishwasher, but I am the only dishwasher in my house. So, I wouldn't immediately know how to operate one. But good to know that there are people ready to take the piss and create threads like this one if I ever were to reveal such a fundamental flaw.

chaosmaker · 12/04/2023 03:31

@ToTheMax0 I'm more worried when new colleagues don't know they shouldn't put food still in it's tin, opened, into a fridge. As that is actually important.
Also dishwashers don't always clean the plates in the same way that hand washing does.

Catsmere · 12/04/2023 03:40

I’ve never even been near a dishwasher. Why should I know how to use one? Yes, you are being unreasonable.

Luckypom · 12/04/2023 03:40

@Bao @RememberingGoodTimes

This

OP - far far worse having you (honestly don’t kid yourself that people won’t see you for what you are) in the office than a ‘grown woman’ who is not sure how to use the dishwasher…

BlackberrySky · 12/04/2023 03:44

So as a "grown woman", I take it you stepped in to help her out? Or did you just stand there judging her and watching her struggle?

Dita73 · 12/04/2023 03:48

I’m 49 and I wouldn’t have a clue. Never had one and don’t want one

blahblahblah1654 · 12/04/2023 03:50

All dishwashers are different. It takes a few minutes to work out each one. Not everyone uses them.

Catsmere · 12/04/2023 03:50

Do you complain about “grown men” not knowing how to operate a dishwasher, OP? Or is it “woman’s work”?

ShandaLear · 12/04/2023 03:58

What everyone else said.

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 12/04/2023 04:11

Here at CERN a new lady started (39½) and she'd didn't know how to switch on the Large Haldron Collider when she was first in one morning. How we all laughed!

She had to buy doughnuts for the team that day from the Tea Trolley. I think she'll know to look for the instruction booklet next time. (It's in the drawer near the kettle.)

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