[Azzurri]

For instance, guys do the chores (do the dishes, wash some clothes, whatever)...

You lost me right here. Growing up in an Italian household, I believe in traditional roles for men and women. The men cut the grass, shovel the snow, fix the car, etc, and the women do the dishes, wash the clothes, etc. My parents have done this for forty years and there was never any arguments over who does what in the household. It's the marriages where the lines and chores are blurred (i.e. he does the dishes sometimes, she does them sometimes, etc) that problems develop.

[LN2Campy]

Plus, a real traditional italian wife doesn't mind when you get a gumada--just so long as you take care of the family and leave what belongs out of the house out of the house...

[Happygal]

You lost me right here. Growing up in an Italian household, I believe in traditional roles for men and women. The men cut the grass, shovel the snow, fix the car, etc, and the women do the dishes, wash the clothes, etc. My parents have done this for forty years and there was never any arguments over who does what in the household. It's the marriages where the lines and chores are blurred (i.e. he does the dishes sometimes, she does them sometimes, etc) that problems develop.

Oh yeah THAT sure sounds fair!

The grass gets cut ONCE a week.
The car breaks down ONCE a year.
The snow gets shovelled...in winter only

Meanwhile....
The clothes are washed EVERY day
The washing up is done THREE times a day
The meals are prepared and cooked THREE times a day
The dusting is done THREE times a week
The beds are made EVERY day.

...note to self: NEVER date a man from a traditional Italian household

[mattdono]

I see your point and I agree. I think that this is really the key: knowing your role. The real problem comes into when a woman/man starts to think that what they do is more important than their partner.

My wife and I went through this a long time ago. She does what she does, I do what I do. The only time that this is strained is when she is feeling overwhelmed with her duties and asks me to help out. I do so without much question, because hopefully it will make her less stressed and more relaxed.

Interestingly, I have found that her "relaxation coefficient" is directly related to her willingness to, well you know, "take a spin on the ole' matt machine". < nudge, wink, nudge > You know what I mean? WOOHOO!