Earlier today I wrote a very mundane tweet. I announced to the world I would be listening to heavy metal while tidying and cleaning the house. It then occurred to me that I frequently put horrendous rock music on before doing housework and yet I have no idea why.
I have a similar, yet more sedate, habit when it comes to ironing. When taking the creases out of clothes I will always scan through the documentary channels and put one of them on. I find it’s relatively straightforward to iron clothes while also learning about the Pyramids, Amazon rainforest, volcanoes or aircraft design.
Today, however, was a double whammy. I spent time both cleaning and ironing.
A particular favourite of mine when cleaning is Judas Priest. I often find myself dusting and tidying away toys while singing along to Breaking the Law or Living After Midnight.
On this occasion I didn’t actually follow through with the statement made in my tweet. Instead of heavy metal, I first listened to The Offspring and then moved on to electro-popsters London Grammar, a group I got quite into over the summer after listening to its Glastonbury set on the wireless (as my grandmother would have said).
When it came to ironing, I watched a fascinating documentary about the prohibition movement in the United States. I have to say it genuinely had me enthralled. I think my wife’s top bears some creases because I was paying far too much attention to the TV. To my amazement the constitution of the US was amended to ensure alcohol was banned throughout the entire country. I never knew that such a far-reaching step had been taken.
Those are a couple of my strange housework habits. I don’t for a second believe I’m alone. What do you do when cleaning the bathroom, hoovering or cooking for the family? Do you tend to rock-out like me, or do you listen to the Archers? Maybe you do it while naked. Leave a comment below and tell the world about your foibles.
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5 thoughts on “Strange housework habits”
I can only iron if the tv is on and I select a programme that lasts around 45mins what I don’t iron in that time gets left
That is an an exceedingly sensible policy. I like it.
Well…when I do mundane stuff around the house I often like to listen to podcasts or audiobooks. I have had subscriptions to audiobook services for probably more than 10 years. They help me cope with the dreariness of mundane tasks. I like reading a lot, but with children in the home I find I have little time. I can however listen to some books while doing other stuff.
Nothing like some TV to help cope as well. I like watching old episodes of Seinfeld, or Raymond, or Frasier. (I have very occasionally stooped to watching Jeremy Kyle….I had a nice shower afterwards to get rid of the guilt.)
Best Wishes
Gerhard
(Familiality)
Ooooo podcasts and audio books. There’s an idea. I may have to copy you.
I simply cannot iron unless I am listening to Radio 4, ideally an enthralling play or Gardener’s Question Time. I cannot watch TV though as I get too sidetracked!