Comments on: The Psychologist Who Thought He Was a Plumber

By: Jennifer Margulis

Jennifer Margulis — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 23:05:36 +0000

This story made me laugh. At least he realized when it was time to call the plumber… My husband has actually been getting handier lately. Maybe it’s not the chromosomes, maybe it’s the aging? (Or the fact that there’s no money in our bank account and plumbers charge an arm and a leg?!)

By: landguppy

landguppy — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 00:15:58 +0000

Why do they do this? Why don’t they call the professionals? What is it about men that makes them want to own tools they shouldn’t be allowed to use without a license — and yes, they license plumbers. They have to apprentice! I feel your pain.

By: Claudine Jalajas

Claudine Jalajas — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 03:11:15 +0000

For some reason my husband decided to fix the leaky faucet in the bathroom the day I came home from the hospital with our third child. Several hours later, the SOLE bathroom in the house no longer had running hot water at the sink. Since “we” were busy taking care of a toddler, 7 year old, and breastfeeding, “we” didn’t get a chance to call a plumber for a while. It was almost a month later before WE got him in the house. $400 bucks later, and Dave knows that he is FORBIDDEN to EVER EVER attempt any plumbing work. Hear a drip? Put on your headphones. See a slow draining sink? Don’t put the water on full-blast when you brush your teeth. Toilet clogging? Eat more fiber.

BTW, I love the way you dream of waking up each day. I have similar visions…

By: Winston

Winston — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 01:42:05 +0000

It’s a tale so old, someone really should stage a musical about husbands and amateur plumbing.
Hmmm… that wonderful musical, The Boyfriend, could be followed up with maybe The Plumber’s Friend.

The story was the same when I was growing up. My father, the traveling salesman— the same man who grew up in the ’20s, in the rural South with no plumbing, always thought he could conquer household plumbing. Fortunately my mother was bright. Whenever my father dragged out the wrenches, my mother would quietly station herself in the hallway at the telephone table— and wait. In a half-hour or so, the swearing and banging would suddenly cease and she’d hear the meek words, “Honey, you’d better call the plumber.” That nice Mr. Briggs would soon appear and restore order to the pipes, hearth and home.

By: Steve

Steve — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 15:37:14 +0000

Those of us tool guys who believe we can fix anything tend to spoil the women in our lives, who come to expect it. A few years ago my teenage daughter passed through the garage toward the kitchen with her boyfriend in tow. I was on floor of the garage with only my feet showing from beneath my car, where I was rebuilding the clutch slave cylinder. I overheard John tell Shelley, “You know, Shelley, your dad can fix anything.“ “Yes,” she replied without missing a beat, “and I need to marry someone who can fix anything.” She didn’t marry John.

By: Vera Marie Badertscher

Vera Marie Badertscher — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 19:06:25 +0000

I have the reverse problem. My husband once was an accountant, and he said “I won’t do the plumbing if the plumber doesn’t do his own taxes.” He has no need to feel manly around tools. Actually, he feels LESS manly because of his ineptness. All of this bewildered me when we got married because my father was an all around handyman who could fix, build, repair, grow ANYTHING. And I thought that was the way the world worked. I do get the “We should call the plumber” line, though. Telephones are female gender?

By: Alisa Bowman

Alisa Bowman — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 21:13:07 +0000

I think we are married to the same person. I get the “we” suggestions and “I gave them your cell” as well! What gives?! I think the world would stop if there was no estrogen to keep it going. Really nice blog.

By: Rachel Dickinson

Rachel Dickinson — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 20:42:35 +0000

We’re not cool enough to have a toolbox. Instead I get a shout, “Hey, do you know where the [fill in the blank] is?” while he’s standing on a ladder. But he does stand on that ladder with a great deal of confidence.

By: ruthpennebaker

ruthpennebaker — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 20:34:00 +0000

Have you ever noticed that men walk differently when they carry a tool chest? There’s invariably more swagger at times like that.

By: Rachel Dickinson

Rachel Dickinson — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 20:28:31 +0000

The title sucked me right in, Ruth. My house is filled with cob jobs created by my husband who is a talented editor and a less-than-talented

plumber/mechanic/carpenter/groundskeeper/gardener/cook/housekeeper