Is it me?

Without a doubt, there are many Husbands/Male Partners that feel they have wives that often lack response when spoken too. That lack of response is often a feature of human nature that is not entirely confined to the male gender.

Lack of spoken response is also not confined to a home environment, as when such lack of reaction occurs in a workplace where machinery and vehicles can be in operation the results can be catastrophic for persons involved in that environment.

Therefore it is essential for people to ensure that in important situations that the person(s) they have spoken to are aware of what has been said, and make a habit of that.

In short, if my wife was reading and I said I was going up for a shower and she did not respond I would say "okay" which inevitably brings a responding "okay" or (as usual) "I did not realise it was that time of the year again already."

However, if I were off to the DIY Centre in the car, I would ensure that she was fully aware of what I was about to do for obvious reasons.

Shall we have chicken for dinner, answer why not. (because we don't bloody well have a chicken could be my answer back)

I'm with the DH there - why suggest it if it's going to be a problem?

I get the "we can do" response too, but that doesn't irritate me as much as "if you like". No, it's not if I like - I'm asking because I need to know if you like!

Mine is the same!?!? he just doesn't listen in the first place. You are not alone

A slight variation on the theme is Answering A Different Question From The One Which Has Been Asked.
As in,
Me: would you like burnt rice for dinner or shall I cook some more?
Mr A: well, we need some carbohydrate....

I think my DH actually compiled the exams for the buggerance qualifications ?

janeainsworth Oh, I so recognise this one.

Just had a good one MOnica.

Me: Would you like some fruit?
MrA: I could have tried the stern spring trick. That would have swung the bow out.
Me: (moving towards fruit bowl) Would you like some fruit?
MrA: I did well, though, didn’t I? Getting the boat out in that space?
?‍♀️??

Aha, jane, clearly MrA had his mind on a more inspiring topic.
He may, even now, be posting somewhere about his wife's puzzling insistence on sticking to the mundane.

I asked an intelligent question about the stern spring trick, Farnorth.
He was suitably impressed and I picked up a few Brownie points

Great stuff!

Edithb
I also hate the phrase, we can do!
I find myself screaming, I know we bloody can do, but do you want to?
He looks at me like I’m deranged, and says, yes he’s already said, we can do!

My DH answers me in his mind. This trick is quite common with partners of either sex, I believe. They swear blind they have answered you BUT DO NOT OPEN THEIR MOUTHS TO SPEAK. You feel you are going mad; as if you are invisible. On these occasions he come near to death.

Just been chuckling at this thread which rings so many bells. Today I sent three texts to DH and got no reply. Just talked to him about it and the answer was that there was nothing to reply to, so why did I bother texting? There was nothing he could do. So it seems he only expects to be communicated with if I want him to do something.

Cabbie21 recognise that as well. I will simply just tell him something, you know, ordinary family chit chat. 'I meant to ring Andy today, but forgot' DH: 'Well there is nothing I can do about it'.

I didn't think there was. Mind you a littlewhile later he will say 'Did you ring Andy today?'

Beammeupscottie...YES that is exactly what happens in this house! My DH seems to have given up speech altogether, except that now he talks in his bloody sleep.

Hilarious, midgey!

Cabbie22. The response "well, what do you expect me to do about it" will ring many bells with wives. God give us strength.