Many people say that bigger is better.
As far as men go, I think the best example of this theory can be seen with TVs. If I had to guess, I’d say that TV Envy is probably a pretty common male trait. And, as you may have read in my Marriage Truths: A TV is never big enough.
Somehow a man is a better man, with a big TV. It’s some sort of an outward and unspoken sign of; manliness, importance and coolness, all rolled into one.
Let me share some examples:
During our basement Man Cave renovation, hubby was given a 50”Class TV … but, what the box actually said was… 49.9”. And, he was “mocked” relentlessly by his friends that he didn’t have a 50” TV. (gotta love boys being boys!). We wound up having a problem with this TV and when we replaced it, hubby got a TV that was officially 52 inches. (phew.…all is right with the world!)
Why am I thinking about this now? Well, I’d like to share a story from this past week.
Hubby was outside mowing the lawn. The end of his “chore season” is upon us. No more outdoor work = no more hubby chores? (Hold on just one sec… there’s no way that’s gonna work. I guess that’s a post for a different day……) Anyhow, he’s outside and our neighbor pulls into his driveway. I have to be honest, I’m not sure if hubby went over to chat him up OR he came over to puff out his chest…(the meaning of this will become clear in a moment). But, either way they wind up talking for a while outside.
Hubby comes inside not long after his conversation with our neighbor.
Hubby: “Guess what Vinny got!” childlike enthusiasm
Me: “What?”
Hubby: “He just bought a new TV!”
Me: only half listening “That’s nice”
Hubby: “It’s 55 inches!!” hubby is drooling with envy
Me: “You have a big TV” still not entirely paying attention
Hubby: “Not that big” pouting
Me: “Sorry honey, I can only imagine how hard it is to not have the biggest TV on the block anymore”
Dramatic pause..
Hubby: “Guess what…”
Me: “What?
Hubby: “Well, Vinny couldn’t fit the TV AND his family into the car so he left them at the store”
Me: “ WHAT?” ok… I’m listening now..
Hubby: “He had Lynn and the kids with him and they couldn’t all fit in the car so, he brought the TV home and left them there” obviously proud of Vinny’s ingenuity
Me: “Wait.. he left Lynn & the kids at the store and brought the TELEVISION home??”
Hubby: “Yep!” as if this was the only decision that makes any sense
Me: “I’m still not sure I get it… the TV came home BEFORE his family?”
Hubby: smiling “Yep!”
Now, before you all start to question the sanity & behavior of Vinny… please understand that I later found out that he didn’t actually leave them at the store. He took them to a neighboring store to do more shopping while he brought the TV home. But, in true hubby-storytelling-form I was not getting all the information until I asked about 10 follow-up questions.
So, based on the following behaviors:
- Vinny’s behavior: Coming over to ”puff out his chest” and show off his new TV
- Hubby’s behavior: Supporting the decision to put the TV above all else
The following things appear to be true:
- Men seem to feel the need to outdo each other at every turn when it comes to electronics.
- Electronics seem to always get their attention even when other important things are involved.
- The tide can turn rather quickly, once another man makes a new purchase.
Do I even need to tell you what hubby talked about for the next hour??
Well, we discussed how we could rearrange our house to accommodate a 70” TV. Or perhaps this could better be described as hubby discussing rearranging for a new imaginary TV… WITH HIMSELF.
(I don’t think he’s realized that he’s not the only one who can employ Selective Listening when it’s necessary!! 🙂 )
I’ve always though bigger was better!
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hubs and i had a knock-down, blow out fight in the middle of the store on our last TV buying adventure. i lost. we have a massive TV hanging on our wall.
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Brooke… those electronics battles are the hardest to win. I feel your pain!
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I think you are my husband’s second, hidden wife. You are clearly married to the same man I am.
http://www.ittybittycrazy.com/imported-data/tag/he-said-she-said
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NOW HEAR THIS…..at some point in the near future I will have a 60+ inch LED tv in the house. If you behave I will let you watch it with me.
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Sweetheart….. lalalalalalala… I’m not listening……….
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i dont understand, what exactly is the porblem here?
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Reblogged this on The Hubby Diaries and commented:
In honor of #TBT (albeit a day late)…
Here’s a good reflection of why Bigger many not always be Better!
ENJOY!
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Somehow electronics always get a lot more attention & get bought sooner than anything I might want for the house. Sounds like it’s the same in your house?
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