Being married for 41 years, in my view, is a remarkable achievement by my dearly beloved.
It has been a work in progress the whole time.
I must say, though, you would think I would understand women far better now than when the journey first started, but I am not sure I do.
I definitely have achieved one revelation in that time: I know for a fact that women are wired differently than blokes.
Of course, this is a generalisation on my part, so please do not be offended if you don’t fall into the categories of both male and female behaviour that I am using as examples.
It came to me just the other day how different we are.
I was talking to a nice lady who had an expensive accessory on her arm.
We joked about how much it cost.
She came back with this: “Yes, I know it’s expensive, but I do make allowances. You know, I buy the cheapest cheese at the supermarket.”
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It was an interesting response; most blokes I know would have answered differently.
“Hey, I have worked hard. I deserve it.”
Or, perhaps they would pull the midlife crisis card.
Yes, we are different.
Take, for example, cars.
When it comes to women owners, a high percentage, in my experience, have a car interior that resembles a teenager’s bedroom.
Chaos.
Those same females, though – well, the one who is my boss, anyway – can take you to task for anything left lying around the house.
That leads me to vacuuming.
I am the lead in our house on this job, but on some occasions my performance will be critiqued by old mate on things I have missed, depending on what mood she is in.
“You have missed the pantry again. What about that bird seed in the corner, can’t you see that?”
Fun times for sure.
In some instances, my response might have been: “Hey, if you aren’t happy, do it yourself.”
Of course, that would put me on an instant diet of beer and Samboy barbecue chips because the kitchen would be closed.
Maybe I will figure it all out in the next decade.
Truthfully, we would be lost without them.
So, at best, I will learn more about the species. At worst, I will be on a diet.
It’s a win-win.
Ashley Robinson is chairman of Sunshine Coast Falcons and Sunshine Coast Thunder Netball, and a lifetime Sunshine Coast resident.
