Women and DIY
I doubt this the right place for me to get on my soapbox (sorry it's not funny) but....

To all the women who whine and complain that their partner never gets stuff done.

Learn how to do it yourself you lazy mare, it's not bloody rocket science. It isn't difficult to put up shelves or paint and if you are really struggling you can even take classes in it at many colleges now so there is no excuse.

I have an assortment of power tools and I know how to use all of them, I have no qualms about doing a bit of plumbing, wiring, painting or a bit of car or motorcycle maintenance. I have taken the time to find out how to do it rather than relying on my partner to do it (would have been a very long wait).


Quick edit after reading a few more posts: Common sense is very useful for DIY whatever sex you are!
(cmouse is pondering about life in other jobs, Mon 7 Apr 2008, 13:32, 8 replies)

Ahem...
Thirty minutes in the cold trying to persuade numb fingers to ping a retaining spring open so I could replace a headlight bulb and I was getting nowhere. The headlamp unit requires six, double jointed fingers to get near it.

I have no shame in admitting I asked my long suffering G/f to assist.

And she did it, first time...
(Bicycle Repairman "you're also a bit of a wanker", Mon 7 Apr 2008, 13:38, closed)

I couldn't agree more.
I was reading some of the answers with the same thought in my head.

(And yes, I am a DIY-er of the female persuasion.)
(BlackArmadillo Avoided writing that article on, Mon 7 Apr 2008, 13:50, closed)

.
That reminds me, my tiling was so bad that I admitted defeat after my third attempt and called in a professional. She was female, and looked like Olive Oil.
I was fine about paying a woman to do the work, but embarassed when she had to move the washing machine for me because it was too heavy.
( browser still relating boring anecdotes into a void on, Mon 7 Apr 2008, 14:00, closed)

The opposite is equally true:
Girls, don't assume that because your other half has some dangly man-bits, that he automatically knows the best methods to paint a wall, or the correct drillbit to use when drilling into an artex ceiling.

I learnt my DIY skills from my mother, because my dad wasn't around to teach me. My mum is useless at DIY, and so am I. Give either of us a piece of wood and a saw or jigsaw, and I guarantee there will not be a straight line to be found!
( OneSullenBrit *air sandwiches*, Mon 7 Apr 2008, 14:41, closed)

Mother's best friend
has re-built 2 condemned houses from the ground up. Including plumbing and electrical. She has no formal training in any of this. Because she sold both houses, and because American standards during an inspection of the property before the sale of a house (by professionals) are so high, I can infom you that there was not a single thing wrong with either house.

She is over 70 now and working on her 3rd house.

I have tact, so I won't insult you, I'll just say: try not to paint with such a broad brush next time.
( flirting with badgers What? It sounded good at the time., Tue 8 Apr 2008, 3:07, closed)

?
Why would you need to insult me and what broad brush are you talking about? I directed my complaint at those "women who whine and complain that their partner never gets stuff done." not all women.
Also, being female, I would never suggest that women are incapable of DIY or of course more major works. I would suggest you read more carefully before responding next time.
(cmouse is pondering about life in other jobs, Tue 8 Apr 2008, 8:13, closed)

I don't think I missed the point at all
Did you assume the woman is unmarried? On the contrary, she has been married since she was 19. And she has re-built 3 houses without the help of her husband. She never complained, she just did it herself. Just like so many women I know.

The point of your post I'm focusing on: "To all the women who whine and complain that their partner never gets stuff done.
Learn how to do it yourself you lazy mare". Exactly how many women do you know that whine and complain?
( flirting with badgers What? It sounded good at the time., Tue 8 Apr 2008, 14:14, closed)

.
OK I guess I must be missing your point then, what exactly are you getting so indignant about? I have met many women who complain that their partner or husband doesn't do DIY they just assume it is a mans job and don't consider the possibility of doing it themselves.
I have not made any assumptions on your friend as she obviously doesn't fit into the category of women who whine and moan. Maybe the good ole US of A doesn't have any women who whine but there are plenty of them here.
(cmouse is pondering about life in other jobs, Tue 8 Apr 2008, 14:59, closed)