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5 Steps to Getting Your Man to Do the Dishes

I consider myself pretty lucky to be able to say that my best friend is also my boyfriend. With all that said, it isn't always dinner by flowers and candlelight. In fact, it's more often than not a daily negotiation of the cleaning duties. So, in one week...I discovered the formula for the age old question of how to get any man to do the dishes.
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As a kid I dreamed of having a maid, a husband who cooked, cleaned, played professional sports, looked like Superman and made millions of dollars. I also dreamed that one day I would be best friends with ALF and live in the Barbie dream house. It's fair to say that neither has come true.

What has happened is that I live with an awesome guy who loves to eat my cooking (when I actually cook), plays baseball in a men's league, sort of resembles Daniel Craig (he thinks so) and has a great career. I consider myself pretty lucky to be able to say that my best friend is also my boyfriend. With all that said, it isn't always dinner by flowers and candlelight. In fact, it's more often than not a daily negotiation of the cleaning duties. So, in one week...I discovered the formula for the age old question of how to get any man to do the dishes.

Step 1 - The Negotiation.

Men understand simple and clear business-like terms and if you relate household duties like a business deal, you are more likely to be successful. Prior to cooking dinner, say to your partner: "I love making you dinner and it makes me so happy to see you enjoying your meal. Could you please do the dishes afterwards? It will give me more time to prep dinner for you tomorrow night. I would really appreciate it."

Step 2 - The Persuasive Standoff

If step 1 failed, your next mission is let the dishes stay in the sink for as long as it takes. Resist the temptation to do the dishes. Men will respond especially if the standoff means they won't have dinner or access to clean dishes. Prior to your next meal together, say to your partner, "I love you honey. As agreed upon last night, could you please do the dishes. I am unable to make dinner or cook until they are clean. I also find it uber sexy when you wash them because I get to watch your strong arms and broad shoulders at work."

Step 3 - The Invitation

If Step 1 & 2 failed, it's time to resort to inviting someone he considers important over for dinner or a drink. Most men have a lot of pride and consider their homes an extension of their success. They will tidy up if someone is coming over that they want to impress. Say to your partner, "I invited _____(insert name here) over for a drink or dinner this week. Does ___ (day) work for you too? Oh right, can you please take care of the dishes before then too honey?"

Step 4 - Hire a Cleaning Service

If Step 1, 2 & 3 failed, it's time to hit them where it hurts -- in the wallet. Hire and/or suggest hiring a cleaning service to do the dishes and clean the kitchen. Casually mention to your man that you looked at a couple of cleaning services and it costs ___ amount to clean the house for a day. Say to him, "Did you know that it costs ____ to hire a maid service to clean the house for a day. My girlfriend and her hubby uses the service once a week and it really helps. If he doesn't do the dishes within a day or two, it's time to tell him that you are hiring a maid service using his money (not yours).

Step 5 - Relationship Counselling

If all of these steps have failed, it may be a clear sign that your relationship is in trouble. Your partner should respond to your requests for help and support. There could be bigger underlying issues happening. Whatever you do, try to avoid nagging or becoming overly emotional. Men respond best to clear, concise requests and answers.

If all of this seems like too much work, consider hiring a regular cleaning service or become single. Either way, you will have clean dishes.

Good luck on your journey!

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