‘He expected me to iron his underwear…’
MARRIAGE is full of surprises, and oftentimes couples encounter the unexpected after they begin living together. The surprises may range from your spouse wanting a cooked meal every night, refusal to share chores, or needing regular updates on your whereabouts.Whatever it may be, the point is that you didn’t bargain for it, and you now have to figure out how to navigate the relationship with new requests/demands being made.Below,
All Woman hears from married people some of the surprises regarding their spouse’s expectations and behaviour after they tied the knot.
Ruth, married 11 years:After we got married, I was surprised that my husband did not have a problem with cooking all the meals. He enjoyed and still enjoys cooking for me and now our children. The other thing that surprised me was how loud it was when he urinated in the toilet and the length of time it took. I was like, “Wow, that is loud!”
Lennie, married seven years:He expected me to be friends with his friends, and I actually don’t like most of his friends. He also expected me to have sex whenever, however, and wherever he wanted.
Deanna, married six years:He expected me to iron his underwear, and it became a problem when I didn’t. Eventually he had to come around, because I can’t see what’s the issue with ironed briefs.
Barrington, married 13 years:She is very weird when it comes to where she places things. So she places the ketchup and oil in the fridge and expected me to do the same. It couldn’t work, so I got my ketchup and I bought my own oil for her to use when cooking my meals.
Joel, married three years:My wife expected me to be able to fix the fan. I am not an electrician.
Patrick, married 20 years:She expected flowers every night, and expected me to have sex with her and her alone.
Renee, married 14 years:I often do late shifts and he gets home early. So when we got married and returned from the honeymoon, one Saturday I worked late and got in around 8:00 pm — very tired — and he expected me to cook, put the clothes to wash, and clean the house. So I said, “You were here all day. Why didn’t you even start the clothes and straighten the house?” It was surreal. I just quickly told him he’s not with his mommy anymore and it couldn’t work.
