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Is washing day sexist?

(54 Posts)
GrannyGalactica Mon 06-Mar-17 11:41:29

I write a newsletter for a local group and always start with a bit of cheerful, chatty nonsense to lighten the tone. Recently, I wrote that the blustery, showery weather was making washing day a challenge. To my surprise, I was advised that "washing day" is sexist and "drying the washing" would be more acceptable. Is it me?

grannypiper Thu 09-Mar-17 08:03:21

I do the washing and ironing oh and the cooking, dusting, cleaning, organizing and most other things, DH does the hoovering (when reminded) and the washing up. Do i feel downtrodden? No, it is my choice. When i married my DH 6 years ago he asked me if i wanted to give up work i jumped at the chance and sold my business. Anyway DH cant clean to my standards and i only have to go behind him and do the job properly, you should see his idea of making the bed !

Jalima Wed 08-Mar-17 12:46:51

I do the washing and DH dashes away with the smoothing iron.
Suits us!

goldengirl Wed 08-Mar-17 11:08:56

No sexism in our domain. DH does his washing and I do mine but I do the bed clothes & towels only because I'm at home more. I taught the children at an early age how to use the washing machine too.

Yorkshiregel Wed 08-Mar-17 10:29:13

We have men to thank for people believing it is the woman's role to be looking after children, their husbands and the home (or is that in the wrong order?) and it is the man's role to bring in the bacon, as they say.

Times change, roles change, and I must say I admire these modern men the way they share everything with the wives, and the women who balance a job the home and the children.

Yorkshiregel Wed 08-Mar-17 10:26:07

I cannot be doing with all this PC rubbish! Surely whoever wrote that about 'drying the washing' should have realised that you were trying to lighten the mood?

People these days are too picky about the things people say. Hasten to add I do not think people should make racist remarks though as that is hurtful. I will not be shackled by these PC people, who are they and why do they think they have the right to tell people what they can or cannot say? Just ignore them I say.

EmilyHarburn Wed 08-Mar-17 09:51:10

This document is quite interesting on sexist language. On the whole we look for pronouns that are neutral.
www2.fiu.edu/~brownj/COM3110_Supplemental_Grammar_Material/Word_Choice.pdf

As for washing day; sadly washing is associated with female work - like washing up, washing clothes in the river etc. Whereas drying is not associated with either male or female. However hopefully washing machines are associated with both sexes.

From time to time in family history class we may talk about the'black sheep' in the family. This too would not be allowed by purists.

In disability people try hard to describe the person as a person not his or her diagnosis. That is obviously the most positive way of being respectful.

However though it is a good idea to think about our language, getting too hung up on what ever is the 'politically correct' language would mean we would never write anything or open our mouths.

Jalima Tue 07-Mar-17 19:03:56

and it has to be hung on the line (weather permitting), folded or ironed, put away, beds changed as Ana mentions

Choreday whoever does it

Ana Tue 07-Mar-17 19:00:42

Changing the bed linen is still the same though - wish we had a machine to do that! (And in fact it's probably harder these days what with duvet covers, especially if there's only one of you...)

Jalima Tue 07-Mar-17 18:57:09

Washing is a pleasure now.
Well, pleasure may be stretching it a bit far Lilyflower grin
But it is certainly not such a huge chore as it was in days gone by

Ana Tue 07-Mar-17 18:56:52

Well, back in the day...grin

Jalima Tue 07-Mar-17 18:54:26

confused

Rigby46 Tue 07-Mar-17 18:04:23

This thread has really irritated me - the comment reported in the op was clearly utter rubbish, made by someone who hasn't got the first idea as to what sexist and sexism is all about. Then some posters pile in about political correctness - the comment about washing day was nothing at all to do with so-called PC and it's a pity that some posters just used it as an excuse to have another ill-informed go at PC - and FWIW I think it's a damn good thing that wolf whistling is not deemed acceptable any more - how very sad that any female feels any sort of appreciation or validation of themselves as the recipient of such coarse, ill mannered loutish behaviour

Karanlouise Tue 07-Mar-17 18:03:32

Not sure how a day can be sexist, i agree that some people just like to be offended. They need to get out more if they are offended by the term washing day. Didn't know that about Thursday Jalima, interesting information, thank you. Have a good evening everyone. smile

lizzypopbottle Tue 07-Mar-17 16:59:11

Political correctness has become a tyranny ?

grannypiper Tue 07-Mar-17 15:47:06

Stop the world, i need to get off

Jalima Tue 07-Mar-17 15:11:18

sorry, a god!

Jalima Tue 07-Mar-17 15:09:55

Well, I may do some more tomorrow or even on Thursday - is Thursday sexist because it's Thor's Day and he was a man?

M0nica Tue 07-Mar-17 15:04:16

Surely washing day is any day you do the washing whether it is once a week or everyday.

Terrystred Tue 07-Mar-17 13:50:30

Love the you tube video! I remember my grandmother doing the washing in a "copper" with a mysterious substance called "blue" which was supposed to get the linens extra white.

Kim19 Tue 07-Mar-17 13:06:04

GrannyGalactica,'washing day' to me is ANY day that has a glimpse is sunshine and lots of wind. Much of the latter recently but a scarcity of the former. However, it's all strarting to happen now and I even have one of my first thick woollen blankets on the line right now (with a VERY watchful eye to the weather!). Sexist; pexist. Who cares? Just keeping trying to ignore the idiots. They're a constant pain.

Funnygran Tue 07-Mar-17 12:18:34

My brother was a dreadful sleeper as a baby and my mother who was in her 40's when he was born was obviously exhausted. I can remember my dad washing nappies in the single tub washer before he went to work to give her a rest before she took my sister and I to school. I did once tell my MIL about this and she commented that she didn't think FIL would have had any idea even how to turn the machine on.

Katek Tue 07-Mar-17 11:35:15

m.youtube.com/watch?v=ceS_jkKjIgo

Says it all really.

hopeful1 Tue 07-Mar-17 11:30:51

I'm with luckygirl, often tempted to say the wrong thing in that situation. I'd blame the gremlin on my shoulder as I press send or Post! grin

Cagsy Tue 07-Mar-17 11:19:07

Every flipping day is wash day in this house!

Diddy1 Tue 07-Mar-17 11:02:26

My washing is on now, so technically its a washing day, but I may wash tomorrow, who knows, there isnt any particular day which is called washing day these days is there?