I know exactly what you mean, I am also very independent. I can do it, I have to do it when alone, so why would I expect someone else to do it (or pay for it) for me. Doesn't matter what it is.

I'm always surprised if a male companion gets out of my car and puts the petrol in for me and even more surprised if they open the door for me. I'm probably not very gracious either. It's not that I don't appreciate it, I do, but I'm simply not expecting it and very surprised.

Also, wherever I am I always step back and let the person I'm with go first. e.g. If sitting in a cafe as we stand to depart, I always step aside and let my companion move out first (regardless of whether they are male or female). Same in a lift. I've no idea why, it's just habit I guess.

It's silly of me really because I'm more than happy to do things for others or put their needs first. I spent four nights with friends in Auckland recently. They put me up and fed me. On the Sunday morning they left me to have a lie in, completely with a fresh coffee, while they went out for a run. To repay them for their hospitality I lept out of bed as soon as the door closed and did their ironing for them. They didn't notice until the Sunday evening after I'd gone home and when I got off the plane in Chch the message on my voicemail was hilarious. I'm invited back.

It has Man in the title and women are sold such rubbish by the media, that its any wonder they like to pamper and do silly things for 'their men', being nice will suffice, nothign worse than a snobby pretty women, you just tell me if you need anything and i'l be there, thats what friendship does.

Ahah, to Ben from last blog, another use is not just saying, "it's a wigwam for a gooses bridle," to nosy children who want to know what something is, but when they keep pestering to know what you're doing you can say, "I'm making a wigwam for a gooses bridle." ...Hence trying to create the illusion that you still know fractioally more than they do.

An independent woman; that's an interesting concept. Girls learn from a very young that there is a time to demonstrate independence and a time to adopt the pose of tearful helplessness often within the space of 30 seconds. It is a skill honed as they grow older and it confuses most men totally who cannot cope with such abrupt switches of mood or attitude. Women will appear independent or helpless depending on the situation and the advantages to be gained. Woe betide the man who misjudges the mood!

As the sying goes, behind every successful man there is woman; pushing his head under for the third time.

I carry all heavy bags in our house, even for those capable of doing it for themselves. The thing is that it is a reality that I am bigger and stronger than anyone else, so while it is possible for someone else to do it, it is safer and I am absolutely not going to rupture something doing so. The stage though will doubtless come when due to age I will no longer be able to do such things. I hope I can be gracious then.

BTW Ann, fuses are a doddle, just NEVER put the wrong size fuse wire in for the fuse. Anyway shouldn't everything have been replaced with switch fuses these days? What sort of places are you renting?

Oh and I'll tell you something I don't do: pastry, especially flaky pastry. I think its because my hands are too warm. It is a cross I shall have to try and bear.

Muscleguy #5. Just a correction to your fuses piece.

Fuses blow because the wrong sized filament is used. This can easily be corrected by using a higher rated wire. For example, where the amperage is stated as 5 amps, a paper clip (straightened out) can be used. For 10 amps, a small nail can be used. For anything else that continues to blow, a four inch nail should do the trick. This will provide about 5,000amps of coverage. Naturally, in all the above cases, one should check to see that the appliance one is using isn't a cheap plastic model, as this will probably melt, but a good quality made item should hum along quite nicely.

@Kelvin2

I think your post should have some sign that it is not serious. At least I sincerely hope it isn't. If it isn't then whoever else is sharing Kelvin2's abode I suggest you leave urgently for your own safety. Or at least ensure that smoke alarms are fitted and have working batteries in them.