The Worst that I Am

Marriage can be an odd thing, really. But after awhile it seems that marriage becomes an excuse to show off your worst side to your spouse.

When people are at work, engaged at their career, they try to be their best. Or at least I do. I want to be the smart person in the room. The person with the answers. The person that can drive the project to successful completion.

But some days are just hard. You get frustrated and angry at the people you work around. But you don’t release it, keeping in mind one must be “professional” whilst at work.

So what do you do? You take it home. You get home and feel “safe” so you complain to your spouse about your stupid co-workers and that stupid supplier that just can’t get it right.

We even dress better at work, then come home and change into grungy, or rather “comfortable” clothes.

In the meantime, your spouse has the opposite experience. They go to work, a building of people trying to put forward the best side. Then they come home to you – complaining, tired, hungry. Literally, you at your worst.

A comedian, I can’t remember who now, once said, “I thought people got married because they could no longer hold in their gas.” You wouldn’t fart on a date.

Is that what people want to come home to? A complaining, tired, farting spouse?

At some point, that has to take a toll on the relationship. At what point are you just failing to measure up to the better dressed, smart people at work your spouse see’s everyday?

James
January 24th, 2006 8:22 am

This wouldn’t be an issue if everyone just farted more at work. And wore pajamas. And sat around watching television while resting a bag of Doritos on their fat bellies. Or is that just me?

Seriously, though, is this a problem with the way we act at work or at home? Is the way we act at home the person we really are? And, if so, why can’t society allow us to act the same way at work?

From another point of view, do you think many spouses are aware that most of the people with whom they work are exactly like their spouse is at home? Sure the CEO is all buttoned up at the office, but when he or she goes home, s/he probably lets ‘em rip just like everyone else.

Of course, Dr. Phil, who is an idiot, would probably say it’s our responsibility to act in a way that pleases our partner. So, then the question may really be: should we ask our significant other what they think about our behavior at home and act accordingly?

By the way, I just farted, and I’m at work.

Mark
January 26th, 2006 9:41 am

I think in most situations when you see someone, or are impressed with someone, you rarely think of what the realities of living with them would be like.

If you home life is getting stale, and you start to notice that well-dressed smart guy/gal you work with, it is the novelty you think of. You see the qualities in them that probably first drew you twoard your spouse - smart, funny, looks great. You don’t think of what it would be like living with them and learning they never seem to flush the toilet when they are done.

It’s a minor version of what goes through your mind when you oogle at movie star.

Kim
February 3rd, 2006 6:39 am

Our spouses see the worst of us, yet they love us the most. Love can overcome many things…

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