One little thing that really gets under my skin if you must know is the title, “The Wife.” When I hear it, it rings through me, moving and shifting my electrons in just the wrong way.
I’m sure most of you wives or mothers out there on planet earth don’t really mind it. But I do.
Here is how I often hear it. Let me set the scene:
Exam room, child center stage, father stage left. Meaning no harm (or disrespect) the dad says, “Oh, and the wife wanted me to ask you about this rash.”
I remain calm, usually leaking no erratic response, remark, or expression. This is my issue, I’m sure. But the internal alarm goes off. Just something about that woman being distilled to “the wife.”
“My wife wanted me to ask you about this rash.” No alarm.
“His mother wanted me to ask you about this rash.” No alarm.
But,“The wife wanted me to ask you about this rash.” Alarm-tastic.
With permission, I’m going to refer to my partner and husband, father of my children, as The Husband. Just to even the field. For today and maybe tomorrow, too. He’s ok with it; I’ve cleared this.
Thank you, husband, The Husband.
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celia says
Like you, hearing the wife (or worse the missus) sends a wave a irritation through me. I find it disrespectful, even though I am sure some would find it somehow endearing.