Thread: Домашние обязанности и традиции в разных странах

Originally Posted by Deborski

This thread reminds me of a funny experience I had when I was living in Russia. This was waaaaay back during Glasnost/Perestroika - so some of you younger folks may need to drag out the history books))).

Anyway, I decided to have a Thanksgiving dinner and I invited all my Russian friends. There were no turkeys available in St. Petersburg (Leningrad!!) at that time, so I bought the biggest chicken I could find and used that. I also couldn't find a pumpkin, so I found a squash that kinda looked like a pumpkin - except it was green - and made quasi-pumpkin pie out of that.

Then after we had all eaten the sumptuous feast, I informed the men that it was American tradition for the men to wash the dishes on Thanksgiving, since the women prepare the food. But all of the men refused! They said it was "women's work" and that Russian men NEVER do dishes! Yes, seriously.

Ahhh, fun times!

Do you really think Russian men have changed since then?

Originally Posted by Helenej

Do you really think Russian men have changed since then?

I don't know!! Have they....?

Originally Posted by Deborski

I don't know!! Have they....?

Evolution is not a fast process, as far as I know.

Originally Posted by Helenej

Evolution is not a fast process, as far as I know.

Hehehe, I guess some things never change

Originally Posted by Deborski

Hehehe, I guess some things never change

I know that even cats can be trained, though they are very stubborn and independent animals. Perhaps man is not a tougher animal. Do you think women can make doing dishes a male’s conditioned reflex by using reinforcing stimulus each time like, let’s say, sex?

Originally Posted by Helenej

I know that even cats can be trained, though they are very stubborn and independent animals. Perhaps man is not a tougher animal. Do you think women can make doing dishes a man’s conditioned reflex by using reinforcing stimulus each time like, let’s say, sex?

Well, I trained my cat to use the toilet! So there is hope for human males everywhere! If they are as smart as a cat, that is )) Of course, sex is always a good reward!

Originally Posted by Deborski

Well, I trained my cat to use the toilet! So there is hope for human males everywhere! If they are as smart as a cat, that is )) Of course, sex is always a good reward!

The fact that women all over the world think alike gladdens me a lot.

Originally Posted by Lena

Do you really think Russian men have changed since then?

I do the washing up every day and consider it the easiest and the most pleasant work.

Originally Posted by Marcus

I do the washing up every day and consider it the easiest and the most pleasant work.

Your wife must've perfectly trained you to do that, and even more - to enjoy that. May I ask her to share her experiences?

Originally Posted by Lena

Your wife must've perfectly trained you to do that, and even more - to enjoy that. May I ask her to share her experiences?

yes! I am also curious as to how she accomplished this!!! I can't even get my husband to take his shoes off in the house!

Originally Posted by Lena

Your wife must've perfectly trained you to do that, and even more - to enjoy that. May I ask her to share her experiences?

‘Бить сковородкой по башке’ is both a popular ‘quick fix’ and long-term conditioning method practiced by some loving women out there. You may give it a go.

Ответы@Mail.Ru: Если жена бьёт мужа сковородкой по голове - значит сильно любит?

Originally Posted by diogen_

‘Бить сковородкой по башке’ is both a popular ‘quick fix’ and long-term conditioning method practiced by some loving women out there. You may give it a go.

I don’t think Marcus’s wife sticks to such brutal methods. I’m sure she motivates him in a more delicate way.

Originally Posted by Lena

I don’t think Marcus’s wife sticks to such brutal methods. I’m sure she motivates him in a more delicate way.

It turned out that Marcus pulls the ‘single harness’ for now; and, trust me, doing dishes is a piece of cake most of the time in the case. Anyway, I’m happy to learn that you prefer ‘velvet gloves’ approach rather than brute force in male conditioning. Still, I can’t resist asking you how many husbands have you tamed with Pavlovian approach thus far?

Originally Posted by diogen_

I’m happy to learn that you prefer ‘velvet gloves’ approach rather than brute force in male conditioning. Still, I can’t resist asking you how many husbands have you tamed with Pavlovian approach thus far?

We are elaborating and testing our theory on cats so far, as it is usually done with mice in labs. We avoid getting over to males too fast. What if it may be harmful to them in some way? We stick to the humanistic approach.