Page 22 - Sandy Jackman Pantai Hotel

Who Rules the Home?

By Jim Mutton

We all know that the man is King of the Castle. It sounds like we clearly ours? Well, if they are either out-of-sight or arranged ac-
men are really the boss, but in reality we know that the castle and cording to her protocol, they are tolerable. Otherwise we might
our royal status are only in our minds, and we know who rules the hear, “I wish you would get rid of some of your clutter (or junk)
home. It’s not that men don’t have a place there, but the home is around the (“my”) living room!” And, back to cleaning out the
“hers.” garage, we are reminded to get rid of all that junk. Now, that junk
happens to be our tools, some old car parts, leftover things from
Men are certainly useful in the home. “Honey, the sink is stopped some repair job, or perhaps some of our magazines. Who knows,
up again!” “Will you tell Johnny to turn that music down?” “Would some of those old parts might be useful someday, including that
you get the ladder out and replace the ceiling light that’s been old corroded toilet valve that’s been gathering dust for ten years.
Her things, however,
enhance the beauty of the
(oops, “her”) home. What
collectibles are to one
person are junk to another.
But, to be fair, most men’s
things would probably not
be selected by a home
decorator for contributing to
the chances for a house-
beautiful award.
Decisions on home
changes and upgrades are
her prerogative whether
they make sense to us or
not. “What’s wrong with
the color of the living room
walls?” we say as we get
a lecture on the fact that
the paint doesn’t match
22 the sofa cushions too well
or that the latest trend is
muted reds or greens. “But
the paint covers the wall,
doesn’t it (Bad joke, not too
appropriate at this time)?”
Just give in at the moment
and mumble something
along the lines of how you
will bring paint samples
home and get some esti-
mates; perhaps she will for-
get about it. Not a chance!

Now, about that castle, a
“man cave” might be ac-
ceptable if it’s in a corner of
a large garage, the base-
ment (not many of these
in California), or part of an
unfinished attic. We can
burned out for two weeks?” Or, one of the worst pronouncements: put almost anything in it. A spare bedroom will not work because
“Honey, we need to clean out the garage this weekend.” In this it’s too much a part of “her” house. It would be treated the same
case, of course, “we” does not include “her.” way as Johnny’s bedroom: “When are you going to clean up this
pigsty of a room?”
The house itself is clearly hers, and we men are reminded of it in
several ways. When Johnny comes in the house tracking dirt, we We men know that harmony in the (OK, “her”) home depends on
say, “Get back outside right now young man and take your shoes her happiness, so let’s give in and be happy. As the famous say-
off!” She says, “Stop tracking dirt on my floor!” Yes, that little pos- ing goes, “If Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy!” Yes, guys,
sessive pronoun is a sure indicator of her ownership of the house. and don’t you forget it!
What about the things that we men own, possessions that are