I’ve been in the same spot as Arlo. My Janis reads me something she likes but my thoughts are elsewhere. It’s the sudden silence that spells danger. But ‘tis better to be silent and thought a fool then to open your mouth and remove all doubt.
When clothes shopping and my better-half FINALLY sees something she likes, I tell her to buy one of every color available. She’ll laugh and pick her favorite.
Contrary to popular thinking, men are often thinking of many things at the same time. The significant other’s comments etc. don’t resonate immediately unless they’re one of the things we’re thinking about.
Ok, lemme get this straight. Janis isn’t sure if Arlo is actually listening because he doesn’t respond. And didn’t Janis try to interrupt what he was doing?
The problem is hers. After all, they’ve been married for how long? Not sure, but long enough that she should know her husband.
Yep. Just another classic case of everything a husband does is wrong when it’s not his fault at all.
(Yep. This post will either be ignored or will ignite a firestorm. Let the games begin – or not.)
I am a little hard of hearing so I miss about every third word , but I don’t say huh? instead I just go with what I heard. She knows this and doesn’t get upset
My wife will start telling me something like “Take down the lights” and I’ll miss the rest of her discussion because I’ve started thinking about what I need to do, what equipment I need, where that equipment is, did any of the lights need replacement, how I’m going to wrap up the lights to prevent tangles including 36 youtube videos that showed me how to do this, the pretty girl in one of the videos who wore a low-cut blouse and liked to show off her cleavage while wrapping lights…
My wife, often refered to as “The Wife”, will narrate a long commentary about some subject at hand. I will deduce she is looking for a response. Being careful, because this is dangerous territory, I will contemplate, for a couple minutes, a well crafted response. Having delivered said response, she will turn to me and say “What?”.
I would never talk to my husband about what clothes I wanted to buy, or any other topic I know he has no interest in. I don’t talk to him much, and he seems happier that way. Fortunately I have 2 adult daughters who can have a normal conversation.
My husband is going deaf but tries to fake it. Sometimes he’ll respond, “Sounds good to me” when I’ve asked him something like “Do you want chili or stew for supper?”
I will run on and on talking (same as I write). Husband may or may not listen depending on the subject, his hearing at that time, and what else he is thinking of. It makes no difference to me. He also will run on when speaking and same applies in reverse.
If it is something important – same will be noted at the beginning of the conversation as in “We have to go to the bank this week.” or “We are running out of your (his) grits.” or “A storm is coming we have to buy food in case we are stuck in the house.” or (me) “Whatever movie you want to see is fine” (this applied when going out for ‘Saturday night date night movie" before Covid’, as well as for ‘Friday night midnight movie on TV’ and ‘Saturday night movie on TV’ since Covid started).
He makes about 90% of our decisions – the remaining ones are financial related as being the one who is trained in same, I generally suggest those to him for approval and then make the decision unless he brings up a reason not to.
Tyge 10 months ago
She didn’t say “Mother may I.”
Da'Dad 10 months ago
I’ve been in the same spot as Arlo. My Janis reads me something she likes but my thoughts are elsewhere. It’s the sudden silence that spells danger. But ‘tis better to be silent and thought a fool then to open your mouth and remove all doubt.
The Orange Mailman 10 months ago
Anything you say can and will be used against you.
Rhetorical_Question 10 months ago
Wasn’t listening?
PettyMower 10 months ago
When clothes shopping and my better-half FINALLY sees something she likes, I tell her to buy one of every color available. She’ll laugh and pick her favorite.
some idiot from R'lyeh Premium Member 10 months ago
Fair. If you can be replaced by a brick with a face painted on it you’re not holding up your end of the conversation.
cracker65 10 months ago
Arlo forget to nod his head.
Carl Premium Member 10 months ago
He wrong if he approves, wrong if he disagrees, wrong if he stays silent, “anything you say or don’t say will be held against you…”
mgl179 10 months ago
Oh, I’m sorry. My silence doesn’t mean I’m not listening, it means I don’t care.
[Traveler] Premium Member 10 months ago
No comment
markkahler52 10 months ago
If he’s watching football, forget it…
mourdac Premium Member 10 months ago
Contrary to popular thinking, men are often thinking of many things at the same time. The significant other’s comments etc. don’t resonate immediately unless they’re one of the things we’re thinking about.
DawnQuinn1 10 months ago
It is better to say nothing, especially when whatever you say.. you are wrong.
Gameguy49 Premium Member 10 months ago
When my wife is busy doing something she talks a lot and only I know when an answer is needed.
jarvisloop 10 months ago
Ok, lemme get this straight. Janis isn’t sure if Arlo is actually listening because he doesn’t respond. And didn’t Janis try to interrupt what he was doing?
The problem is hers. After all, they’ve been married for how long? Not sure, but long enough that she should know her husband.
Yep. Just another classic case of everything a husband does is wrong when it’s not his fault at all.
(Yep. This post will either be ignored or will ignite a firestorm. Let the games begin – or not.)
ScullyUFO 10 months ago
Answer: Am I breathing?
eced52 10 months ago
Then I wouldn’t be a good listener.
belovedkija 10 months ago
I am a little hard of hearing so I miss about every third word , but I don’t say huh? instead I just go with what I heard. She knows this and doesn’t get upset
Bill The Nuke 10 months ago
My wife will start telling me something like “Take down the lights” and I’ll miss the rest of her discussion because I’ve started thinking about what I need to do, what equipment I need, where that equipment is, did any of the lights need replacement, how I’m going to wrap up the lights to prevent tangles including 36 youtube videos that showed me how to do this, the pretty girl in one of the videos who wore a low-cut blouse and liked to show off her cleavage while wrapping lights…
royq27 10 months ago
Sorry dear, I was thinking about my first car and why did I sell it…
ladykat 10 months ago
He’s ignoring you, Janis. Either that, or his thoughts are elsewhere.
Emperor Rick 10 months ago
“Yes dear” is my usual canned response.
MuddyUSA Premium Member 10 months ago
Suddenly Arlo has turned boringly boring…..
EMGULS79 10 months ago
Got to remember to throw in that occasional “uh huh” and head nod, Arlo….
ajr58(1) 10 months ago
I wascgoing to show this one to my wife, but realized just in time that would NOT be a good idea
david.reichert 10 months ago
My wife, often refered to as “The Wife”, will narrate a long commentary about some subject at hand. I will deduce she is looking for a response. Being careful, because this is dangerous territory, I will contemplate, for a couple minutes, a well crafted response. Having delivered said response, she will turn to me and say “What?”.
Radioshack Premium Member 10 months ago
Is that an actual paper catalog from a real brick and mortar store that Janis is looking at? Who does that anymore?
raybarb44 10 months ago
Married guys learn to keep their mouth shut ond opinions to themselves. It’s a marriage survival skill…..
elgrecousa Premium Member 10 months ago
I don’t think that the listening thing is an exclusively male problem.
RonaldMcCalip 10 months ago
Say something??? Okay. The answer is 42, add your own units.
David Huie Green LoveJoyAndPeace 10 months ago
He has learned from hard experience that it is unpleasant to interrupt while you are talking.
locake 10 months ago
I would never talk to my husband about what clothes I wanted to buy, or any other topic I know he has no interest in. I don’t talk to him much, and he seems happier that way. Fortunately I have 2 adult daughters who can have a normal conversation.
jonesbeltone 10 months ago
Get up, head to the kitchen and ask if he can make her something.
PaulGoes 10 months ago
My wife said I never listen to her. I thought that was a strange way to start a conversation.
Fontessa 10 months ago
Tell Arlo that it only costs $495.00 and see if he responds …
Teto85 Premium Member 10 months ago
That ain’t kosher.
Ina Tizzy 10 months ago
My husband is going deaf but tries to fake it. Sometimes he’ll respond, “Sounds good to me” when I’ve asked him something like “Do you want chili or stew for supper?”
mafastore 10 months ago
I will run on and on talking (same as I write). Husband may or may not listen depending on the subject, his hearing at that time, and what else he is thinking of. It makes no difference to me. He also will run on when speaking and same applies in reverse.
If it is something important – same will be noted at the beginning of the conversation as in “We have to go to the bank this week.” or “We are running out of your (his) grits.” or “A storm is coming we have to buy food in case we are stuck in the house.” or (me) “Whatever movie you want to see is fine” (this applied when going out for ‘Saturday night date night movie" before Covid’, as well as for ‘Friday night midnight movie on TV’ and ‘Saturday night movie on TV’ since Covid started).
He makes about 90% of our decisions – the remaining ones are financial related as being the one who is trained in same, I generally suggest those to him for approval and then make the decision unless he brings up a reason not to.