Because of course the answer you want to give (go out riding, fetle my bike, work in my shed, relax with a book or just do nothing) is going to get you that special look that she somehow embodies with a huge range of messages: slight annoyance, hurt disapproaval and patient pity (as if to a child); whilst also conveying a meaning of “that wasn’t serrious now was it, so try again and this time give me the ‘right’ answer” (no clues, no confering)
Apparently my suggestions of things to do are loaded with potential pitfalls – but as I don’t know the rules of this particular emotional assault course I’m going to fail….
and somehow, “nothing” is not an answer she understands… it’s seen as a null response, a placeholder…. but doing nothing is important, its called relaxing, but apparently relaxing must involve doing something like gardening (a chore in my book) or going somewhere (but without any defined purpose… why?).
Worst of all is when she says we should go shopping for something I need. First off she hates shopping for herself (nearly as much as I hate wandering round aimlessly watching her get fed up of shopping) so why insist that we go shopping for me?
I hate shopping with anyone else, mainly because it takes so long and I can’t do the one bit of shopping that I enjoy – namely being distracted by the potential to buy stuff that I shouldn’t (bike bits etc) its the clandestine nature of looking at prohibited items that is fun.
If I need something specific (and boring) say trousers or shirts, I go on my own to a shop I know will have what I need get it and get out, no messing around – its achore, do it and be done with it… and never at xmas/new year as I loath people packed into shops, hell is other people so shopping when it’s busy is the essence of hell to me.
Is this just me? or am I just being a grumpy sod? Anyone else (male) know the rules we’re supposed to follow?