It's funny what gets us talking around here. Today it's dogs and housework. It's funny that with everything else going on in the world, these are the topics where we let loose....

Anyway, MMM, you charmer, you. My status as a "feminut," whatever the hell that means, has nothing to do with feeling for angry people on the internet. There are just as many women as men who spend big chunks of time being angry in cyberspace, and I feel equally bad for all of 'em. I'm sorry that you and other posters in this thread have had so many bad experiences with members of the opposite sex.

The bottom line for me: Calling your husband a doofus is as damaging and counterproductive as your husband calling you a heifer; saying all men are domestically incompetent is just as irresponsible and cruel as saying all women are bad drivers.

To the couple with asperger's syndrome - maybe your husband is getting wrapped up in cleaning the fridge because he doesn't know what you want him to do when you're cooking. Cooking a multi-course meal is pretty intensive work, perhaps you two could try making something simpler together first? It might be a less stressful way for you to learn how to work together. : )

I like reading the stories from couples who've negotiated the workload in a way that works for both members. I read an article somewhere which said the three biggest reasons couples fight are sex, money and division of labor. This thread certainly validates that article.

WOW, some strong opinions in here. I'm lazy and didn't jot down which anon said which delightful thing at what time, but I feel kinda bad for all of you, you've obviously been really hurt by someone, and it seems like Broadstreet is the only place where you can work out your anger issues. I'd strongly advise all of you (or one of you, if you're the same person) to talk to someone who can help you make peace with yourself. Life is too short to be that miserable.

To the topic at hand - my experiences tell me men and women can suck equally bad at the domestic arts. I know lots of men (esp in the 30-35 age bracket) that carry more than half of the household workload and an equal number of women that wouldn't know how to sew on a button if Jack Bauer was pointing a big gun at their heads. The way I see it, equality means we can succeed and suck with equal gusto.

Lots of things in our society perpetrate the myth that men are doofuses that can barely make it out of the house without the close supervision of a woman. Sitcoms, movies, women's mags - all tend to be generously sprinkled with Man-Boobs and the Amazing-Patient-Smart! women who tolerate them. IMHO, though, these factors are a lot less to blame for the pervasiveness of the idea than a good ole martyr complex. We humans are selfish, narcissitic creatures. We like to think that no one is as put-upon or stressed or hard-working as we are. To read the introwebs, you'd think every person with a blog was the only sane person on the planet, and marvel that these brave souls are still living, surrounded by all the idiocy and ineptitude. Men bitch and moan, women bitch and moan, the trick is to take all of it with a grain of salt and the realization that you're only hearing one (very biased) side of a story.

I grinned all the way through Pushing Daisies. It was the most fun I've had watching network TV in, well, ever. I don't know if they can sustain it, and at this point I don't really care, as long as I get a few more episodes like the pilot which leave me feeling so very warm and fuzzy by the end.

HH, I look forward to your column every weekend. I don't watch much TV, but thanks to you I can roll my eyes and nod & smile at all the appropriate times when friends and co-workers talk about the stuff I don't watch without looking like a freak.