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Please allow me to preface what I am about to say by reminding all of you the intent of this blog is to help us find the humor in life…and that includes marriage. The tricky part to finding the humor in marriage is that men and women sometimes don’t agree on what’s funny!
You’ve all seen the email that has been floating around for years about words that women use and what they really mean. For example, “fine” – this is a word women use to end an argument when they are right and the man needs to shut up. When they use “nothing,” this can be the calm before the storm and really means “Something.” Arguments that begin with “nothing” usually end with the word “fine!”
I have discovered another word that wasn’t in that email…that is the word “we.” It only took me 28 years to realize when Jan uses the word “we”, it sometimes has another meaning from Webster’s definition of “you and I.”
The other day she asked, “What are we cooking for dinner?” It dawned on me what she meant was, “What are you cooking for dinner?” So I started watching for other instances when she uses the word “we” – those are listed below with their translation:
• “Shouldn’t we have turned right back there?” Translation: “Since you are the one driving, it is obvious that you have messed up once again!”
• “What time do we need to leave?” Translation: “Give me a time that you prefer to leave if this was a perfect world, knowing that last minute wardrobe changes will delay me up to 15 minutes!”
• “Do we like these shoes?” Translation: “This is the first of four pair I will try on and your comments will be heard but final decision will be mine!”
• “Do we like my hair?” Translation: “I don’t like it and when I asked if ‘we’ wanted me to get my hair cut, you should have said ‘no’ instead of agreeing with me!”
• “Do we know how to get to where we are going?” Translation: “Why is it that men think they are Daniel Boone and refuse to stop and ask directions?”
• “What do we need to do today?” Translation: “I’m sure you have plenty to keep you busy. I’m going to get my nails done and will probably go shopping while I’m out!”
• “When are we going to see the grandkids again?” Translation: “I’m going to visit my grandbabies and if you want to tag along, fine!”
Before you ladies want to tar and feather me for picking on Jan, you need to know that she has read this and approves of its content. We have a fun marriage and realized many years ago the importance of taking our marriage seriously but ourselves lightly. We find humor in the traditional stereotyping of husband and wife behavior. To prove that we have a true 50/50 partnership in our marriage, I’m going to give Jan the last word:
“Yes, it’s true that we both laughed at Jim Bob’s above humor. He is so clever!” Translation: “I have figured out as long as I let Jim Bob think he’s funny, I can pretty much do what I want, when I want and he’s none the wiser.” ~ Jan Solsbery
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I kinda wish Miss Lillie could have had a vote in this, and somehow I think it might have come down somewhat differently!
I have heard of couples who claim to be able to complete each other’s sentences.
To hear Jim Bob tell it, Jan starts ‘em and completes ‘em!
Cheers,
My wife is a bit more direct than Jan. She loves to use the word “you” so it really leaves nothing to translate such as ” where did you put such & such” or “where are you going and why are you going this way”. I guess she does not want to confuse me.