# What do you do differently when your spouse/SO is away? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 12, 2002, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-differently-when-your-spouse-so-is-away/113545 "2002-06-12T00:13:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Kilvert\_s\_Pagan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@Kilvert\_s\_Pagan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kilvert_s_Pagan)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2002, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-differently-when-your-spouse-so-is-away/113545/1 "2002-06-12T00:13:21Z")
Occasionally, my wife takes the kids to her folks’ place for several days. This is quite alright - we moved to where we live now so that she could do _exactly that_. However, when they’re gone, I revert in some respects to bachelorhood: [ul]Most meals are finger food of some sort; The TV is almost always off; I leave the bathroom door open; I never wear a bathrobe; When I do watch TV, it’s news or Don Imus in the morning (we normally never watch TV in the AM); I’ll have jazz or Mike Keneally or King Crimson or Frank Zappa playing on every speaker in the house; Etc.[/ul] When your SO is away, what do you do differently? ---
**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2002, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-differently-when-your-spouse-so-is-away/113545/2 "2002-06-12T00:17:47Z")
Mr. Athena goes to star parties every once in a while. In the past month, there’s been two - one that lasted a week, and another for two days. Here’s what I do differently: - The TV doesn’t get turned on - I don’t drink as much alcohol - I play a LOT of computer games - I eat more junk food - I sleep splatted out all over the bed This is fun for one or two days, then I start to miss him horribly and all the fun is gone out of being able to do what I want to do all the time. ---
**Author:** ![voguevixen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5ac83/32.png) [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2002, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-differently-when-your-spouse-so-is-away/113545/3 "2002-06-12T00:45:01Z")
I hate to say it, but I eat really terribly. If I don’t have a specific reason to put together a meal and there aren’t decent leftovers then I usually wing it. It’s like that pathetic Lean Cusine commercial with the women saying stuff like “I ate a half pound of salt water taffy and a bag of gummi worms.” ---
**Author:** ![Kilvert\_s\_Pagan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@Kilvert\_s\_Pagan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kilvert_s_Pagan)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2002, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-differently-when-your-spouse-so-is-away/113545/4 "2002-06-12T00:52:06Z")
[hijack of my own thread] All three of us, so far, were May 1999 registrants… but I’m more than a little humbled by our relative post counts. [/hijack of my own thread] **Athena** , I agree - I drink less as well. My wife and I often play a game of cards over a beer or a bourbon. **voguevixen** , I _eat_ less too. Some of it’s healthy, some of it’s not, but the point is I only eat when I’m hungry. ---
**Author:** ![TeaElle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8491ac/32.png) [@TeaElle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TeaElle)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2002, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-differently-when-your-spouse-so-is-away/113545/5 "2002-06-12T01:09:12Z")
Mr. tlw was away this weekend (foolhardy man, his child could be born any day!) I know what kinds of things I do when he’s not around: - I sleep right in the center of the bed, instead of over on my side - I tend to work/stay in front of the computer even more than normal - I don’t go out much, if at all - I eat elaborate breakfasts like belgian waffles or omelettes and I make myself simple, but disgustingly yummy dinners that he would never eat (like tonight’s dinner of ramen noodles tossed with sauteed mushrooms, onions and green peppers, broccoli rabe, chickpeas and sesame oil) - I talk aloud to the dog – well, more than usual - I take exorbitantly long showers ~30 minutes ---
**Author:** ![xizor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xizor/32/102_2.png) [@xizor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xizor)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2002, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-differently-when-your-spouse-so-is-away/113545/6 "2002-06-12T01:09:38Z")
I make the house as quiet as possible: no radios, no TVs, minimal white noise. Just silence. I never get total silence with others around, it is my only chance. ---
**Author:** ![Pythagoras](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/48db29/32.png) [@Pythagoras](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pythagoras)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2002, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-differently-when-your-spouse-so-is-away/113545/7 "2002-06-12T01:30:14Z")
What do I do when my spouse/SO is away? …myself… ---
**Author:** ![blur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/dbc845/32.png) [@blur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blur)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2002, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-differently-when-your-spouse-so-is-away/113545/8 "2002-06-12T04:36:28Z")
I’m another one who reverts back to bacholorhood for those few nights. I’ll eat in front of the TV or computer, and its usually take out or junk food. I sleep on the couch in front of the TV. If she goes away but doesn’t take our daughter, things pretty much stay the same as normal, except I still fall asleep on the couch. ---
**Author:** ![Hoops](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hoops/32/6408_2.png) [@Hoops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hoops)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2002, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-differently-when-your-spouse-so-is-away/113545/9 "2002-06-12T05:31:13Z")
[Homer Simpson] “I’m whizzing with the door open . . . and I love it!” [/Homer Simpson] OK, it was obvious, but it had to be said. ---
**Author:** ![Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2002, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-differently-when-your-spouse-so-is-away/113545/10 "2002-06-12T15:20:24Z")
I cook bacon and smokies. MrsB hates the odour of cooked pork. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2002, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-differently-when-your-spouse-so-is-away/113545/11 "2002-06-12T15:55:27Z")
[ul] [li] I sleep on the couch. There’s something very strange about sleeping in the bed without her there so I rarely do it (unless I just crash there out of exhaustion). Or I’ll sleep on the floor.[/li][li] I rent a lot of videos. She doesn’t like renting videos and I don’t like watching them while she’s there–whatever we watch on TV we almost always watch together. So I’ll hit Reel or Captain Video and do some serious catching up (at least two a night, 5 on weekends)[/li][li] I stay up later.[/li][li] I take baths instead of showers.[/li][li] I don’t put things away (clothes, dishes, etc.) until the very last day. Day before she arrives is always cleaning day–dusting, vacuum, the works.[/li][li] There’s a lot of music I own that we’ve established she doesn’t quite care for, so I’ll usually get that in, too–especially while cleaning. :)[/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![bernse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a9a28c/32.png) [@bernse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bernse)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2002, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-differently-when-your-spouse-so-is-away/113545/12 "2002-06-12T16:25:39Z")
I sleep longer and generally better I go to the can with the door open Since I do most of the cooking for the two of us, I am more likely to eat out as a treat I may rent a porno \ … or two I’ll stay up later than usual and be on the Home PC more Thats about it… all the other usual daily chores/duties get done as per normal. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2002, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-differently-when-your-spouse-so-is-away/113545/13 "2002-06-12T18:27:16Z")
i play the stereo _REAL LOUD!_ * * * Jesus was in a coma. ---
**Author:** ![Tiburon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e36b37/32.png) [@Tiburon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tiburon)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2002, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-differently-when-your-spouse-so-is-away/113545/14 "2002-06-12T18:44:12Z")
I sleep in the middle of the bed. I don’t eat regularly. More baths in the evening - usually out of boredom. I read books. Tibs. ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2002, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-differently-when-your-spouse-so-is-away/113545/15 "2002-06-12T18:49:38Z")
Let’s see. I’m about to become a summer bachelor again in two more weeks, and my plans include: Working late when I feel I want to get stuff done…working very irregular hours, sleeping when I’m tired and doing stuff when I’m not (I work from home) Watching James Bond and Monty Python movies Eating very, very little most days, but visiting a restaurant buffet once a week ---
**Author:** ![trixiebix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/edb3f5/32.png) [@trixiebix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/trixiebix)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2002, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-differently-when-your-spouse-so-is-away/113545/16 "2002-06-12T19:07:12Z")
I get to play MY music (listen to country sometimes) Get to do my nails (he hates the smell) I get to have the remote, and watch chick flicks and other nonsense. ---
**Author:** ![Lisa\_Ann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bc79bd/32.png) [@Lisa\_Ann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lisa_Ann)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2002, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-differently-when-your-spouse-so-is-away/113545/17 "2002-06-12T19:24:32Z")
TV off and all the horror videos I haven’t seen on. More dogs on the bed. I try to cook and sometimes it works, usually it doesn’t. ---
**Author:** ![Belrix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed655f/32.png) [@Belrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Belrix)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2002, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-differently-when-your-spouse-so-is-away/113545/18 "2002-06-12T20:30:37Z")
I order a big cheesy pizza (my wife doesn’t much like them). I stay up too late everynight and watch too much TV. I get to go to the video store and rent “guy movies”, ie: explosions, special effects, and breasts (sometimes all at the same time). Movies that are not “family fare”. I also love turning up the radio in the morning - something I don’t get to do normally since I have to sneak around to keep from waking the family. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2002, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-differently-when-your-spouse-so-is-away/113545/19 "2002-06-12T21:07:56Z")
My wife will be out of town next week at an academic conference. Unless I’m forgetting something, this will be the first time in the five-plus years we’ve been together that I’ll be alone that long. I have no idea how my behavior will be affected, beyond the probability that I’ll probably rent some depressing movies that I’ve been holding off on for just such an eventuality. Of course, if I discover myself dancing around a pig’s head on a stake, I’ll come back and amend my report. ---
**Author:** ![katie1341](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/91b2a8/32.png) [@katie1341](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/katie1341)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2002, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-differently-when-your-spouse-so-is-away/113545/20 "2002-06-12T21:23:11Z")
I eat different stuff than normal- lots more veggies, my SO hates mushrooms and spinach and eggs, so I make a lot of omlettes. I also sit in HIS chair and let the cats pile on me while I’m in it (he doesn’t like them in HIS chair). I play my guitar a lot- I hate playing it where anyone else can hear me, because I kind of suck, but I enjoy it. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-differently-when-your-spouse-so-is-away/113545.md?page=2)