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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To say that most heavy duty physical labour is done by men? When was the last time a female plumber, builder, roofer,painter and decorator, drain unblocker, or boiler or washing machine engineer came to your house?

612 replies

YourAmplePlumPoster · 15/06/2025 19:03

To say that most heavy duty physical labour is done by men?

OP posts:
YourAmplePlumPoster · 15/06/2025 20:40

ClarasSisters · 15/06/2025 20:30

Have you considered the fact that you might be a massive misogynist? 🤔
Unless you're on a remote island somewhere it's pretty easy to find a female who'll do the tasks listed in your op professionally. Or, shock horror, you could learn to do stuff like that for yourself.

So I should repair my boiler myself or turn away any engineer who is not female?😅🤣

OP posts:
YourAmplePlumPoster · 15/06/2025 20:41

Also I have "mother issues." 😅🤣

OP posts:
JayJayEl · 15/06/2025 20:41

BrickHare · 15/06/2025 20:39

Judging from ALL the men that have came to my house and fixed, painted etc I would disagree.

Again - there are many ways in which one can be intelligent. What is your profession? As you don't seem particularly bright in a lot of areas yourself!

TheKeatingFive · 15/06/2025 20:41

BrickHare · 15/06/2025 20:39

Judging from ALL the men that have came to my house and fixed, painted etc I would disagree.

Begs the question why didn't you do it yourself if it was such a piece of piss.

SnoopyPajamas · 15/06/2025 20:41

YourAmplePlumPoster · 15/06/2025 19:08

When was the last time you had a female roofer, painter and decorator, someone to unblock the drains, the boiler engineer, the plumber, the window cleaner who attended you? Me. NEVER.

Why don't you tell us what you think about that? There's clearly something you're trying to say. Use your words, so we all know where we stand.

ScarlettOYara · 15/06/2025 20:41

YourAmplePlumPoster · 15/06/2025 20:40

So I should repair my boiler myself or turn away any engineer who is not female?😅🤣

Don't get a woman to mend your boiler. She will use witchcraft and your eyebrows will fall out and your Ovaltine will curdle.

Totallymessed · 15/06/2025 20:42

Ponoka7 · 15/06/2025 20:35

We've just had a new development of various types of housing. I was surprised to see quite a few women working alongside the men. But materials are getting lighter, fittings more technical, rather than needing great strength to put together. I'm seeing that in flat pack etc furniture and drills and other equipment is also getting lighter. Now women are fed properly and we are allowed to exercise how we want, we can handle it. However life should never have been turned into a sex based competition.

I'm not sure it's so much about the physicality as just it's easier to get a job due to less discrimination, and that you're less likely to suffer from endless abuse (or banter, depending on definitions).

I would definitely not have trained as an electrician in the 90 -it just wouldn't have seemed achievable- but if I was starting out now I would be interested in giving it a go.

SnoopyPajamas · 15/06/2025 20:42

YourAmplePlumPoster · 15/06/2025 19:09

Can you do without these men? You can try it out and see.

Who said we wanted to do without them? You're arguing with the air.

BatchCookBabe · 15/06/2025 20:43

YourAmplePlumPoster · 15/06/2025 20:40

So I should repair my boiler myself or turn away any engineer who is not female?😅🤣

Well, seeing as how you are soooooooooo offended and soooooooo upset that women are NEVER boiler engineers, then put your money where your mouth is and demand a female one when you book your next boiler safety check.

But you won't. Wink

BrickHare · 15/06/2025 20:43

JayJayEl · 15/06/2025 20:32

Woah, woah, woah.
I'm not sure what point the OP is trying to make, but this comment is vile. Ashamedly, I used to think the same as you when I was a teenager/young adult. Not any more. My BIL left school without a single qualification. He is now running his own 'tradie' business, and doing incredibly well. He's brilliant at his job.
There are LOTS of ways that you can be intelligent (and skilled!). Not everyone is 'book smart'.
Your attitude is at least 20 years out of date. And, quite frankly, rude and ignorant!

You don’t need academic qualifications to run a business. Most trade is through reputation and word of mouth. I stand by what I said. Skilled and intelligence there is a difference.

Gyozas · 15/06/2025 20:44

YourAmplePlumPoster · 15/06/2025 20:07

Why is this relevant? I've had roofing repairs, painting and decorating, boiler repairs, plumbing and new bathrooms put in. None of the people doing the work have EVER been women. Why is this "goady" or controversial? Just stating fact.

OP, have you had a knock to the head recently? Do you need us to call someone?

Totallymessed · 15/06/2025 20:45

OP, you seem to be angry for reasons I don't understand. Do you think Mumsnet is just full of women saying men are all useless?

It's really not

JayJayEl · 15/06/2025 20:45

BrickHare · 15/06/2025 20:43

You don’t need academic qualifications to run a business. Most trade is through reputation and word of mouth. I stand by what I said. Skilled and intelligence there is a difference.

Academic qualifications do not make you superior.

YourAmplePlumPoster · 15/06/2025 20:46

I need some work done in my house. Any of you can DM me to carry out the work. For a start I need the garden being tidied up. DM me if you can do the work and I will pay you. Bet I dont hear from anyone.

OP posts:
Totallymessed · 15/06/2025 20:47

YourAmplePlumPoster · 15/06/2025 20:46

I need some work done in my house. Any of you can DM me to carry out the work. For a start I need the garden being tidied up. DM me if you can do the work and I will pay you. Bet I dont hear from anyone.

What do you need tidying up? I'm in the Bristol area if that's helpful.

Barnbrack · 15/06/2025 20:47

YourAmplePlumPoster · 15/06/2025 20:46

I need some work done in my house. Any of you can DM me to carry out the work. For a start I need the garden being tidied up. DM me if you can do the work and I will pay you. Bet I dont hear from anyone.

So you're trying to lure women to your house with the promise of money... You are definitely on a list

YourAmplePlumPoster · 15/06/2025 20:47

Gotta be a woman to do the work.

OP posts:
BrickHare · 15/06/2025 20:47

JayJayEl · 15/06/2025 20:41

Again - there are many ways in which one can be intelligent. What is your profession? As you don't seem particularly bright in a lot of areas yourself!

I don’t need to be clever or have a degree to paint a room or unclog a drain do I? 🙄

ScarlettOYara · 15/06/2025 20:47

YourAmplePlumPoster · 15/06/2025 20:46

I need some work done in my house. Any of you can DM me to carry out the work. For a start I need the garden being tidied up. DM me if you can do the work and I will pay you. Bet I dont hear from anyone.

Garden work? What area?

Totallymessed · 15/06/2025 20:48

YourAmplePlumPoster · 15/06/2025 20:47

Gotta be a woman to do the work.

I'm a woman and a dab hand at gardening (and plumbing). What do you need done?

YourAmplePlumPoster · 15/06/2025 20:49

Barnbrack · 15/06/2025 20:47

So you're trying to lure women to your house with the promise of money... You are definitely on a list

OK. I am not a woman but some kinda pervert. Is that what you're saying. Mental.

OP posts:
Barnbrack · 15/06/2025 20:49

YourAmplePlumPoster · 15/06/2025 20:49

OK. I am not a woman but some kinda pervert. Is that what you're saying. Mental.

It's how you're coming off talking about women assaulted in mines as you did

BrickHare · 15/06/2025 20:50

TheKeatingFive · 15/06/2025 20:41

Begs the question why didn't you do it yourself if it was such a piece of piss.

Far too busy spending my money from working in a highly professional job that I got from numerous degrees.

YourAmplePlumPoster · 15/06/2025 20:50

Totallymessed · 15/06/2025 20:48

I'm a woman and a dab hand at gardening (and plumbing). What do you need done?

I need my back garden cleared up. A tree cut, weeds cleared.

OP posts:
WhistlingalongtheMudFlats · 15/06/2025 20:50

YourAmplePlumPoster · 15/06/2025 20:46

I need some work done in my house. Any of you can DM me to carry out the work. For a start I need the garden being tidied up. DM me if you can do the work and I will pay you. Bet I dont hear from anyone.

This is the worst and most elaborate attempt at finding a date everrr