A funny thing that happens at my house is that I’ll say, for instance, that we need to run the self-clean on the oven, but it’s going to stink so I hesitate to do it. Then he’ll say that it’s going to stink because of xyzabc. And I’m like “I fucking KNOW, I just told YOU that it’s going to stink! I know why! That’s how I know it’s going to stink!”
It’s like he can’t help mansplaining. I think I’m very clear about questions vs statements, and typically if I want advice I have either a possible reaction or more than one and am choosing among them. “Should I confront the MD who bullied me at work, or just keep my head down?” And then he’s great.
I’m pretty good natured and also very capable of problem-solving, which I do for a living. So I don’t think I leave problems to molder while I fret uselessly. He’s an engineer, so his wheelhouse is very handy for me. I know when I want help, and I’m also quick to say “I can’t, I’m a girl” for things like bugs and other icky things. So this weird thing of mansplaining things I’ve just 'splained myself is odd. I don’t recall him not listening to me vent or trying to solve my real problems in a way that’s off-putting. My wheelhouse is so outside of his comfort zone, he doesn’t even try.
It’s just super odd. Burning question: I wonder if men just have to 'splain a certain amount of stuff to someone each day, and wives get whatever isn’t spent elsewhere?