Don’t Pump Gas For Your Wife Just To Save Face
Lesson 26: Pumped Full of Guilt
Some people give money to others without being asked. Others give money only when compelled–perhaps by a robber. I think I normally fall into the latter category. I don’t naturally walk around thinking about things I can do to make other people’s lives better. Unfortunately this applies in my marriage as well.
Lesson 26: Don’t pump gas for your pregnant wife just because onlookers are present.
I am typically the one who fills up the vehicles with gas since my wife drives until the light has been on for days; however, sometimes both of us are in the car when it needs to be filled up. When this occurs, I usually try to convince my wife to get out and fill up the tank, despite the fact that I am the one driving. After some coercion, whining, and begging, she gets out and does it.
Several years ago, when my wife was great with child, we were out one night celebrating our anniversary. We pulled up to a gas station to fill up; my wife began wiggling out of her seat belt and trying to waddle out of her door when I exclaimed, “What are you doing?”
She responded, “Getting out to fill up the tank.”
“Don’t be crazy; get back in,” I barked.
She replied that it was our anniversary and she wanted to do something nice for me. “You’re always trying to get me to pump the gas,” she said, “Now I’m doing it as a gift to you.”
I yelled, “I’ll pump it. I don’t want people to think I am forcing my pregnant wife to fill up the tank. I’ll do it.”
Well, I did fill up the tank, but my wife gave me a brief discourse on the fact that I was compelled to do something nice rather than just naturally doing it. Plus, the week before I had not had a problem “forcing” her to fill up the tank when no one was present at the gas station to see it.
My suggestion: Do things for the right reason. But if you are like me and can’t, just make your pregnant wife get out and pump the gas. Who cares what strangers think? You don’t know these people. Just look at your Blackberry while she is pumping away and avoid eye contact with passerbys.
6 Responses to “Don’t Pump Gas For Your Wife Just To Save Face”
Another classic from The Donkey
By Kairy on Oct 3, 2008
Well One of the many things that angry us is when you do something on our expense to make yourself look good.
By Arlene on Oct 6, 2008
I think you are my husband moonlighting as a donkey – or at least my husband’s twin brother .. or something.
By Melinda on Oct 13, 2008
Oh, I’m obviously spoilt. I can’t even remember the last time I had to put fuel in one of our vehicles. In fact, I can probably count on 1 hand the number of times I’ve filled up since we got married 12 years ago.
My beautiful DH takes care of pretty much all the car stuff.
By Lightening on Oct 18, 2008
Haha – excellent story! To play Devil’s advocate though, maybe sometimes it doesn’t matter the motivation behind the deed…maybe if you do it for the “wrong” reason enough times, it will eventually turn into a habit.
Just a thought.
By alisa bowman on Oct 22, 2008
Oh no! I’m very pregnant right now and have no problem whatsoever pumping my own gas but you better bet your donkey that if hubby is with me he best be the one hopping out of the car to fill ‘er up! Ah, do something nice “just because” not because people are looking!
By Angela on Oct 24, 2008