Tools, need I say more?
Why is it that the female species cannot understand the sacred nature of a man's toolkit? When the time is taken to care for, clean and arrange tools in a LOGICAl manner, what is it in the female psyche that compels them to 1) lose said tools; 2) leave them out in the weather; 3) misuse (using a $50 chisel as a screwdriver and subsequently a hammer); 4) complain because the phillips head doesn't work on a flat head screw; 5) leave them covered in craft glue, etc. I don't screw with the legion of hair brushes, combs, picks, curlers, straighteners - don't get me started on the make-up kit, so why is it so hard to figure out that if it was taken from Place A and clean, it should not be returned in the same fashion? Is this too much to ask for?
( BrokenCoccyx doesn't mind if you grope on, Wed 30 Dec 2009, 18:12, 5 replies)

I'll leave your toolkit alone if you tell my boyfriend to stop messing with the arrangement of my cooking utensils, dammit. If I have to go hunting for the can opener or whisk again because he's put it in the wrong spot (after using the can opener to pry open a tin of industrial lubricant and the whisk to...I don't know, but it wasn't a food-based use), I may be moved to put a cat turd in his bicycle repair kit next time I change the kitty litter.

Don't get me started about the time that he washed my nice silver-plated teaspoons in the dishwasher. Two words: GREEN TARNISH.

I think people are just territorial about the equipment they use on a regular basis, honestly. And rightfully so!
(herbivorous, Thu 31 Dec 2009, 4:59, closed)

Tools
I am the primary tool owner in our house - I am slightly obsessive in keeping them in order. My husband borrowed my drill, knocked it over and broke the drill bit. It was part of a matching set of bits, so I asked him to buy me an exact replacement silver 6mm masonry bit. A few weeks later he comes home with a specialised black 6mm bit apparently for drilling uPVC and wood. Failing to understand my annoyance, he protested that it was a very expensive drill bit, and the blokes in Homebase had told him that it was the right one. I asked him which of the listed materials counted as masonry, and he couldn't tell me. A couple of months later I badgered him again. He returned with the exact same £8 drill bit again. At this point I gave up and just got it myself. A £1.77, silver 6mm masonry bit - my set is complete, and my husband will never borrow my tools again.
(Supermonkey, Thu 31 Dec 2009, 13:51, closed)

Must say I'm impressed and that your lad is a girly man
You obviously are wise in the ways of the world. He needs a intensive tool workshop to let him know how to properly function as a man. And I admit, failing to follow the simple specifications you provided is, well, somewhat brain damaged. I bet he's the type that can't stay awake on long car trips and has you drive - not acceptable.

On a side note, just got a Dewalt sawzall that can put a hole in concrete. Hmmmm, demolition.
( BrokenCoccyx doesn't mind if you grope on, Thu 31 Dec 2009, 15:09, closed)

Totally disagree
I have the distasteful task of managing the toolboxes at work; I'm the wrench-turner, so I have to keep things neat and organized. Unfortunately, some other employees, invariably the guys, feel free to borrow stuff and then put it back in the completely wrong spot. I can NEVER find a 12 mm combo wrench. How hard it is to slot it back in where it belongs?

The women, on the other hand, will generally ask me for what they need, then give it back or put it back neatly. Maybe on average they're a little less comfortable with tools, but they're a whole lot more respectful of them, in my experience.
(BlackArmadillo Avoided writing that article on, Mon 4 Jan 2010, 4:32, closed)

I hear you, but I think it's for other reasons
First, yes, the biggest dicks in the world are other men borrowing your tools, which is why I have a standing rule to not lend out tools without a four page instruction/expectation sheet that each must sign. When one needs them to work, they better work, I don't care if you are an employee or my brother.

Second, as to the female species, they're just being nice because if you give them the tool they don't have to figure out where the choke, primer bulb and starter on said 16mm wrench is. When you give it to them, it is running smoothly. Trust me, they'll never check to assure that there's enough oil or the tire pressure is sufficient on that wrench.
( BrokenCoccyx doesn't mind if you grope on, Tue 5 Jan 2010, 18:00, closed)