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Whether we like it or not, conflicts are inevitable in any long-term relationship. Nearly everyone knows that finding someone you can be completely honest with comes with many ups and downs that reveal the most annoying behaviors imaginable. But while some disagreements can get seriously spicy, partners also often lose control and get angry over absolutely nothing.

Attorney, advocate, and author Rabia Chaudry set out on a mission to discover the stupidest and most meaningless arguments married couples "just cannot, will not stop having". Her Twitter thread quickly blew up with people opening up about the most infuriating habits their spouses have that make them fight about it for years.

From never squishing out the sponge to refusing to close the drawers all the way, every couple has things they repeatedly return to because both sides refuse to back down. Continue scrolling because we’ve selected some of the funniest examples from the thread. Upvote the ones you can relate to all too well, and be sure to share your own pet peeves with us in the comments!

Image credits: rabiasquared

#2

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Jontelle
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So true! I can send my SO to the store with a list and he’ll STILL mess up somehow.

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Karri Berkowitz
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Mine leaves the sponge in the sink, every time, and it's always in the one spot with water and the food he didn't clean out. I have to throw it out

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If Rabia Chaudry’s name sounds familiar, it might be because she’s the author of the New York Times bestselling book Adnan's Story. She has also amassed quite a following on Twitter where almost 202K users are engaged in what she has to say and, luckily for us, share their own funny and genuine stories. The post in question, which has received over 19K likes, proved that couples all over the world get peeved off by the most foolish things.

Hundreds of replies on this thread had to do with household tasks not being completed correctly. Well, at least in their partner's eyes. But whether you’re in a meaningful relationship or decided to tie the knot, sharing a space together is bound to be at least a bit of a challenge. At the bare minimum, you’ll have a partner that tells you you never fold the socks right.

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Strawberry Pizza
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I believe some decorative plastic fruit would solve this problem. No rotting = no more buying fruit.

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When you decide to be with one person for a long time, it's only natural for the quirks you found sweet at the beginning of the relationship to irritate you as time flies. But those little habits sure have a way of blowing up into a major argument or at least something you always have at the back of your mind.

But not all fights are created equal. While some are more severe and worth talking through, others are downright ridiculous and illogical. "Partners often say, 'We argue over stupid things,'" licensed relationship therapist Dr. Jason N. Linder wrote in Psychology Today. "This is somewhat true. That said, there are a lot more things partners are actually arguing about under the surface than what meets the eye, especially for the partners themselves."

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WilvanderHeijden
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We have a TV series about these people: Help, my husband is a handyman.

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Ozacoter
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My partner was the same with decoration. I put some paintings, pictures and plants in the house and he kept whining about how i "invaded his space". Now i took them all out because we are moving and he was like "now the house looks so much uglier". I know.

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"Focusing on the content of arguments (i.e who forgot to mail the important package) misses the forest for the trees. What fights are really about is the emotional safety in a relationship, partner's subjective sense of the other’s caring from them (or being there for them), and fear that they will get hurt."

He explained that getting to what’s underneath leads us to the cause of arguments and relationship distress. "Partners need to learn to reach out to each other with those feelings such as sadness about the disconnection, feelings of failure or inadequacy, or fear of rejection.”

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Id row
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It took me a couple decades to break my husband of this habit.

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Mereteh Bergheim
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It took my husband a decade to break me of this habit.. but now i clean the kitchen counters if he drops one single coffe ground on it and complain about him messing up the kitchen :P

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Dillon Sizemore
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hate this line of thought it damages dishes ruins good food and makes great food meh 😑. If I'm cooking multiple things I'm probaly to busy to clean while I cook because my end goal is every thing getting done within 5 mins of each other so I'm constantly stirring so stuff don't burn , adding the food with shorter cook times, etc. I'm also not going to do the dishes before I eat I know people who have done this for years and then eaten a fresh cooked meal instead of something that's sat for 10 to 15 min while they cleaned and realized alot of food has different taste and texture the hotter it is. Alot of people just cook stuff at a lower temperature to prevent burning so they can have time to clean or let stuff simmer wich works fine with some food but not all I feel this just makes cooking and cleaning take longer and more hectic because you're trying to do 2 things at once.

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Nora Petricien
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm so busy when cooking that I just can't do that. Only time I get a break is when food cooks but then I'm so afraid it will burn that I don't wash the dishes and then when it's done I eat while it's warm and then do the dishes afterwards.

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Not A Panda
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, no. I cook. I neatly pile when finished with something. After dinner and dessert and the cup of coffee I go into the kitchen and scrape off and put in the washing machine. All in one go so I don't have to rearrange the washing machine three times because there's an unexpected item that has to go in. All done in one fell swoop, only the evening glasses left to put in before bed and it runs during the night.

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Hollie Marie
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Omg the age old argument with my parents. My dad will clean up as he goes along which is fine but slows down the procession of dinner. My mum will clean up after she's made the dinner because otherwise you're just cleaning to then make more mess to then clean again

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Nicole Normand
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can't do that. My attention is solely on the food being prepared. I clean up after or later or the day after. It's my kitchen.

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Thomas Sweda
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Admittedly, I’m a little OCD. Before I sit down to eat my lunch, every item used to make that lunch, and every container of food used, is put away.

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Luke Hudson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ugh!!! My partner and I have the unspoken rule of whoever cooks the other cleans. Multiple times he has commented on how I leave so little to clean because I wash as I go. But continues to leave me a mountain of dishes in the sink everytime he cooks. Not to mention my hate of dirty dishes in the sink, leave them on the counter I need the sink to wash them!!!!

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Megan Allen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't know how anybody does this and doesn't burn the food. Cooking is a job I will not multitask. It's too risky.

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Insono
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am notorious for doing this also but I have ADHD and cannot go wash the dishes because I'll forget about the cooking and ruin it. Multitasking is a no for me because tasks will either be f****d up or forgotten half way through. I need to focus on one thing only. So when I cook my bf comes downstairs when I'm nearly done and cleans up the mess <3

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Rusti Gardina
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I prepare my ingredients mise en place and clean up any dishware, cutlery and ingredients before I start. There are still those dishes to clean later, but it keeps an organized kitchen while I cook

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Madison Arthur
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My husband is the person who uses literally every single kitchen utensil and he will be making pasta or a sandwich but there will be 500 dishes on the counter.

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Sarah Mathiason
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Depends on the meal, if I have spare time while cooking then absolutely I throw stuff into the washer (makes perfect sense). It's nice cooking dinner together, so one can prepare and the other can help clean while it's being prepared. Now that is a good team.

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Lindsey Judd-Bruder
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When we make family meals, I usually cook. And I wipe off the table and rinse the dishes. Then my husband loads the dishwasher, washes the dishes he can't load, wipes the counter, and sweeps the floor. We work as a team. And it doesn't help that he actually LIKES doing dishes and laundry-which I hate LOL!! I guess I'm lucky. 🤷😊

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bkIllinois
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, well if I'm cooking breakfast, lunch and dinner, you will need to help or not eat.

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Alana Voeks
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't wash the dishes as I go, but I use as few dishes as possible, rinse em off if there's something sticky/avocado on em, and stack them neatly. I also throw out the trash as I go

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Pat Ucu
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

no need to actually go all out and wash, as long as you at least put the dishes in the sink to soak, thus avoiding the remains of a pan of mashed potatoes that then becomes welded to the pan (as dishes all done the next day ......)

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Erik Chrane
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Regardless of which side you're on, how is this a fight? You're doing the cooking? Wash now or later. Your choice. If your partner is doing the cooking get out of the kitchen and don't be a pointless nag.

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CammyCat
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My honey is really good about this. He loves to cook and used to have to do the clean up too. Now he doesn’t (I clean if he cooks), but he still does this as habit and it is nice

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TumZ
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I make the biggest mess when cooking, but I don't clean it up, it's I cook someone else cleans.

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Kimberly Buchanan Fisanick
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It always sense to clean up as you go. I wish my stepdaughter would do that instead of letting dishes pile up. Drives me mad

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Iseefractals
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It depends. If you have time while waiting for something to cook, or waiting to add the next step, sure. If you're actively preparing something, stopping what you're doing in order to start a new task, is kind of dumb. Like wise, it's infuriating if you're trying to cook, and someone wanders in to start cleaning up, getting in your way because they want to start on the mess you're still actively making. Another perspective would be "it's ok to stay out of the kitchen when you aren't cooking if the dirty dishes still being created bother you"

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Ru Bee
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My partner does this but he cooks so much more than me so yeah I clean up xxx luvs him xxx

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Frances M
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or use the washing up time at the end of the evening as a time to watch Netflix or meditate. “Do not disturb or get a handful of suds touching you” my time.

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Valerie G.
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Before I start cooking, I fill up the sink with hot soapy water.

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Phil Vaive
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2 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Doing the dishes all at once save s a LOT of water, and it's more efficient.

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Deborah B
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Leave it in the cabinet. Don't buy chips. "There's still a pack in the cupboard".

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Unfortunately, it might be easy to fall into the trap of thinking that fighting with your partner is a bad sign for the relationship itself. But we all know that every single couple has had at least one or two arguments. In fact, experts say that such disagreements can also be beneficial.

"I am more worried about my clients who say they never argue with their partners,” Maryann W. Mathai, a licensed counselor who specializes in helping people heal from toxic relationships, told Bustle. "It signals passivity, emotions being ignored, or a lack of self in the relationship — all of which are unhealthy."

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WilvanderHeijden
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Next time put their laundry around the washing machine. When there are no clean clothes for them anymore, they will understand.

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Leo Domitrix
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can sympathize with this, as you may have water on the floor if the shower is not closed off enough, and open drawers kill shinbones.

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Chores and other responsibilities are some of the most common argument topics between married couples. It’s important to distinguish, however, whether these silly quarrels are healthy or toxic for your relationship. For example, if you start nitpicking your partner about the way they wash the dishes but end up blatantly declaring you dislike the company of their parents, that’s a red flag for toxic communication patterns. When arguing, you stay focused on the topic and issue at hand, so avoid looking for opportunities to air other grievances.

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D. Pitbull
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ahh... I guess I remove eggs like OP's wife... because we usually grab the carton from one end or the other, not in the front 'n' center... so the weight is evenly distributed...

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Mathai explained that while it is normal to need space after a disagreement, routinely withdrawing for days at a time shows your fights could be toxic. "Researchers have shown that stonewalling, the term for withdrawing and avoidance, is a predictor of divorce," she added. "Shutting down and emotionally leaving the conversation will trigger the other partner to feel alone and overwhelmed."

"You both may have different needs or time frames to cool down after an argument, but a sign of healthy relationships is [that] couples come back to each other quickly," Mathai explained. "There is truth behind the old saying 'Never go to bed angry.'"

After all, we're all guilty of having weird little quirks that might annoy people around us. Some of these behaviors are more benign, others are pretty bizarre. But as they say, communication is key, so if you find a way to talk through them and even sometimes kindly poke fun at them, you might be on the right path.

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Green Machine
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel like the couples arguing over bars of soap should switch to liquid body wash. :)

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D. Pitbull
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

omg... my dad was like this... no matter how much time he had before the family had to leave for whatever... the MOMENT we're supposed to go out the door.... he had to go to the bathroom. It was. so. odd.

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Frances M
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You don’t have a spoon anyway, you have a solid lump of tea stained sugar with a metal bit sticking out the top.

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ToGo
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'll agree on the basis that I HATE when people nix ideas without offering a suggestion. I'm not your hired "idea's person".

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Karen Tyas
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Meanwhile he’s like “My wife is great, always puts gas in my car for me!”

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#28

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WilvanderHeijden
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pretend you didn't hear that he said something and keep pretending until he speaks so you can understand him. Rinse and repeat for as long as it takes to get the message home. I took me 6 weeks to teach my wife that, since I'm getting deaf, I can't hear her when she's whispering from the other side of the room.

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Ozacoter
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am sorry for op. That sounds like an awful partner

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Buren
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Agree to disagree and adopt new pronounciation such as cow-poo to save your marriage.

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Belinda Matson
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Put it in random places. On his pillow, his dashboard, in his drawers, at a crime scene.

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Leo Domitrix
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've learned to preface some questions with "It's yes or no question. One-word answer only. (Fill in question)." B/c I got tired of essay answers to yes-no questions. We've gotten around it over the years, but twenty-five years ago? It'd take him ten minutes to answer "yes" or "no" or for me to work out which it was. And the question would be something like, "Do you want dessert?"

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Madzdad the Bard
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My ex said it was an "accident" when she slept with someone else. What does that mean? He tripped and his d**k fell into your vagina?

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DuchessDegu
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wanna swap? I'm like that, if it's important put it away. My partner leaves everything anywhere and when he can't find it, he'd buy a new one or ask for a copy. Then leaves it anywhere and buys a third one when he can't find the previous two. I lost count of how many superglue, toothpick packs, torches, sealants and tin openers I found last time I went on a cleanup bender

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LH25
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So buy her a pair of her own. If she wants to wear the old ones, you wear the new ones.

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