I mean, sometimes my wife has thrown something extra smelly in the garbage while cooking and wants me to take the quarter-full bag out so the house doesn't reek.

I should absolutely be asked to take the trash out in that case, and she shouldn't need a whole story for said request. She frequently does because that's just her communication style. Lots of extras. Mucho frustrating for me.

But it's probably just an example for illustration.

[–] xamboni@lemm.ee 5 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

It was definitely just an example, but even if it wasn’t, my point was not about the chore, it was about the rambling. I seem to encounter lots of people who just have hard times getting to the damn point.

There are two people I regularly talk to who will basically explain how to do something before asking me to do it, no matter what it is, and it’s infuriating. It’s not that I don’t know how to do it either, it’s like wanting me to get them a water bottle or helping them lift something turns into a labyrinthine explanation or justification.

A real example is: “Could you do me a favor? Can you walk over to the refrigerator, open the door, and grab a water bottle and get it for me?” vs. “Can you get me a water bottle?”

Or another one recently: “So it’s Friday, and you know I just think it would be nice if you could call X, like just open your phone and dial their number, and once they pick up, if you could just real quick ask them if when they get home if they would be willing to eat Chinese food?” vs. “Would you call X and ask if they want Chinese food for dinner?”