Wet towels can kill your marriage!

Times of India ^ | MONDAY, MAY 16, 2005 12:15:52 AM | Sunday Times

[CarrotAndStick]

Leaving a wet towel on the bathroom floor may seem a minor issue but it could wreck a relationship. Scientists have identified a list of the most annoying habits that can cause rifts between couples.

The study of minor irritations in domestic life has found that people can almost become "allergic" to a partner's foibles. Failure to control that shrill laugh might end in marriage-destroying fury. Among the most annoying habits are failing to hang up towels, leaving a new loo roll on top of the empty one and using a fork as a back-scratcher.

Cringe-inducing endearments such as "babykins" can also cause an adverse reaction. When repeated, a couple can reach snapping point.

Many of the habits detailed in the study, published in the academic journal Personal Relationships, are the familiar fibre of male-female interaction. They include nose-picking, burping and tatty clothes in men and lateness, verbosity and demands for reassurance about clothing in women.

The study, funded by the US government's health research arm and conducted at Louisville University, charted the grim "deromanticisation" of more than 160 relationships. It also compared what was termed "social allergen frequency" (nasty habits) with relationship satisfaction and failure in a further 274 people. The report, Social Allergies in Romantic Relationships, aims to establish the nature of the link between nasty habits and nasty divorce. Some of the issues raised will provide bored couples with a new range of things to complain about.

[savedbygrace]

I am a man. And many years ago, my wife kindly explained the situation to me. Her convenience was only one part of it. Cleanliness was the other part.

I agreed to do this way back then, and I have no problem with it. You see, I love my wife and this is a small thing to do for her. My masculinity isn't threatened in the least.

In fact, my masculinity isn't wrapped up in any of the associated subjects we're talking around on this thread.

[cyborg]

Wow it's a phobia!

[CarrotAndStick]

One more...

Now, is everybody happy?

[FreeReign]

After a few beers, I'm sure some guys can pee from five feet away.

If the next guy after, is standing six feet away, then you know that the previous guy couldn't.

[HairOfTheDog]

OKAY then! ;~D

I guess in the long run, the best policy is closed doors.

[Nam Vet]

How about the loss of sex drive in the husband???

Are you contemplating a name change?

Nam Vet

[patton]

You mean sit down to pee?

Ask her if the last thing she wants you to do before you come to bed, is dip it in the toilet water.

[Nataku X]

refusing to cook steak

Steak's best tartare. ;-)

My boyfriends have accused me of not being close enough to them (in either direction), but I accuse them of being codependent. I'm a slob, but at least I have cured half the problem by shaving my cats regularly. I think lots of things are wastes of money, and I won't remember your birthday or anniversary (not that I expect you to remember mine). No sugar or junk food in the house. I've also got very little shame... interpret as you will. ;-)

[patton]

So what's your point? ;)

[cyborg]

LOL I have no shame either. I'll not say how and no male FReepers should trouble themselves to find out!

[cyborg]

ROTFLMAO you made my day. I just had a really good laugh.

[BlessedBeGod]

Cringe-inducing endearments such as "babykins" can also cause an adverse reaction.

Well, it's better than "ho."

[patton]

You know what? A girl that forgets my birthday is a goner.

[Nowhere Man]

Ok I have been reading all of this, and as a single man living with two women(mother and sister), The toilet seats are usually down, and the lids, too. In my opinion, if a little thing like that would cause a divorce, then the couple should not had gotten married in the first place-- considering the way some people I know, who stay married, to spouses(M and F), who cheat do drugs, lie, and so on).

Yeah, it reminds me of one conversation on "The Waltons" where one of the younger brothers asked John Boy about, "what if I get married and my wife sleeps with a teddy bear?" John Boy replies, "well if you love her so much, it wouldn't bother you" or something to that effect.

As for pets... I have a big cat, who loves to knock things in the floor. He used to drink out of the toilet, too. One time, he reached up to get a drink, and the lid was up, and somehow, it fell, and I saw him running out of the bathroom sacred to death!! Lately though, he has been knocking pans and dishes out of the dish drainer and onto the kitchen floor. He also LOVES to claw the rug, couch my speakers, us, etc.. ESPECIALLY when he wants something.... Pets... what are you going to do?? you love 'em too much to get rid of them, you know.

Me, I have 8 cats. B-) One time, my 16 year old Corky, when we got her in 1989, I left the seat up, she jumped in accidently, since then, she has been wary of the commode. B-)



Corky - 5-12-1989 -

BTW, she looks ready to Zot. B-)

BTW, keeping it TV related, I'm on the other computer in the back room, I'm watching Survivor on my 1966 Sony B&W TV. B-)

[cyborg]

That cat looks like someone just took away the catnip ((shudder))

[DuncanWaring]

Reminds me of the tale of the guy who always left the top off the toothpaste tube.

Drove his wife crazy for years.

Finally, he decided he'd be a nice guy and tried putting the top back on the toothpaste tube.

After a few days, she asked him "Why'd you stop brushing your teeth?".

[brityank]

"How come you didn't wash your hands?"

Paw taught usn's not to whiz on our fingers!

[Nataku X]

Actually, I did remember, and I was gonna surprise you with a Red Lobster gift certificate. :-(

[cyborg]

happy birthday

[savedbygrace]

No, you're supposed to put the seat DOWN.

But seriously, if it doesn't work for you, don't do it. It's not a measure of anything.