ADVERTISEMENT

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

Married-People-Sharing-Stupid-Recurring-Argument

rabiasquared Report

Add photo comments
POST
jontelle avatar
Jontelle
Community Member
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#3

Married People

hasnurse Report

Add photo comments
POST
karriberkowitz avatar
Karri Berkowitz
Community Member
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

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

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.

#4

Married-People-Sharing-Stupid-Recurring-Argument

rabiasquared Report

Add photo comments
POST
cemurray280 avatar
Strawberry Pizza
Community Member
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#6

Married People

Digsk9rescue Report

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."

#7

Married People

Astraea_Muse Report

Add photo comments
POST
bp_10 avatar
WilvanderHeijden
Community Member
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#9

Married People

ElainNainNaine Report

Add photo comments
POST
andreavilarmelego avatar
Ozacoter
Community Member
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.

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT

"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.”

#12

Married People

californiabucki Report

Add photo comments
POST
deborahbrett avatar
Deborah B
Community Member
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".

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

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."

ADVERTISEMENT
#14

Married People

Mama2Bre_ Report

Add photo comments
POST
bp_10 avatar
WilvanderHeijden
Community Member
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#15

Married People

Jenny6345789 Report

Add photo comments
POST
leodomitrix avatar
Leo Domitrix
Community Member
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

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.

#18

Married People

qwrrty Report

Add photo comments
POST
d_pitbull avatar
D. Pitbull
Community Member
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...

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT

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.

#19

Married-People-Sharing-Stupid-Recurring-Argument

rabiasquared Report

Add photo comments
POST
reddmenace23 avatar
Green Machine
Community Member
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. :)

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#20

Married People

ChanclaSurvivor Report

Add photo comments
POST
d_pitbull avatar
D. Pitbull
Community Member
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#21

Married People

RykerStephenson Report

Add photo comments
POST
francesm avatar
Frances M
Community Member
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.

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#23

Married People

RobWeatherhead Report

Add photo comments
POST
tgsbbh avatar
ToGo
Community Member
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".

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#26

Married People

linluv5 Report

Add photo comments
POST
karen-tyas1 avatar
Karen Tyas
Community Member
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!”

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#28

Married-People-Sharing-Stupid-Recurring-Argument

rabiasquared Report

Add photo comments
POST
bp_10 avatar
WilvanderHeijden
Community Member
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.

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

My husband had to be trained the same way. It's really aggravating when I'm sitting in the living room with my back to him & he's at the kitchen counter with his back to me! So I just don't answer til he finally turns around & speaks up.

Load More Replies...
lsaizul avatar
Lsai Aeon
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Have your hearing tested. I thought everyone else was mumbling, turns out I'm going deaf

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

Me too, though they will still have to speak up as i can't turn my ears up!! I'm not bad enough for hearing aids... yet!!

Load More Replies...
kc-nordquist avatar
kcanded
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I told my kids for YEARS that I couldn't hear them if their back was to me and they mumbled. It was worse with my daughter when she had braces and talked fast. They're in their twenties and still doing it. LOOK AT ME when you talk to me!!!

danipret_1 avatar
Dani Pret
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Totally agree! Especially in a mall or somewhere with background noise

Load More Replies...
jay-caviness avatar
Madzdad the Bard
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Apparently I chuckle for no reason. I don't even realize it, I thought my wife was gaslighting me until my daughter said that I have done it for years. I guess I crack myself up.

gemmelltastic avatar
Got Myself 4 Pandas
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My hearing isn't brilliant, look I'm getting old! We'll be in the car, kids yapping in the backseat, radio playing and my husband will be staring straight ahead mumbling something, and then get annoyed at me because I can't understand what he's saying, so I've started whispering at him just to annoy him back. It's the little things that make life with me so exciting

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

Sitting here laughing so hard I am crying.. My situation is different. My best friend and her autistic son both have Usher's Syndrome. There are different stages but the fist begins with peripheral sight blindness, so all you can see is tunnel vision. Then, your hearing goes, but my friend refused to tell that her hearing was getting worse. It's not funny, but we were in the same situation. In the car, David wants me to turn up the radio, his mom can't hear, or see me to read lips, I'm screaming, she starts laughing/crying and tells me what's happing. She now has hearing aids, David has ear buds, and we cry because his hearing cannot be helped with aids. LONG story.

Load More Replies...
megenkarlinsey avatar
Megen Karlinsey
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm amazed my husband hasn't divorced me on grounds of "redundant question asking" because he mumbles so much I'm always asking him to repeat himself.

samrice avatar
Danse Macabre Cat
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Mines a mumbler too. Then gets irritated that he has to repeat himself

elaine_e_klimas avatar
Elaine Everett-Klimas
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Mine not only mumbles but will walk away mumbling or when he's in another room and I say 'sorry what was that?' he will repeat at the same volume....several times, never any louder. After 23years I now just ignore him...the twonking k**b 'ed! He blames my slight deafness & denies he mumbles but EVERYONE else says 'stop mumbling Edd'

marthab_higgins avatar
Martha B. Higgins
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A friend refuses to acknowledge that she mumbles. When I ask her to repeat what she said she yells it. It might be genetic, her maternal aunt did the mumbling thing, too, and it drove my friend crazy. She always says I am deaf. I had my hearing checked, it's fine.

webalina avatar
Cindy Irvin
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My brother talk like he has rocks in his mouth. And he KNOWS it...has admitted as much. But yet he still gets mad when somebody can't understand him.

cdn_chick avatar
Amy McGonegal
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Holy crap, or when you say pardon and they say it again. Exactly. The. Same. Way. Like, hello!! I said WHAT?!? for a reason! Speak up and more clearly!

calliehagood avatar
Callie Hagood
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My father-in-law has complained about this for YEARS. Turns out HE just needs hearing aids from years of shooting guns without hearing protection.

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

I tried telling my ex he mumbles. He insisted that he just talks quietly. Pray tell, why do I need to ask you to repeat yourself 50 times then when I'm intently trying to listen? He yelled at me for that. Our relationship was almost done by that point anyways, so I didn't get bothered much by it

elizamay2015 avatar
Eliza May
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And then you get told YOU are deaf..... I can hear and smell things my husband doesn't even know exists...

howls-to-luna avatar
shodokai
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live with two low talkers. I've started responding to what I think they're saying and we laugh our asses off. Good people = Good times.

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

Omg yes lol if I had a dollar for how many times in a day I say "what???" I'd be rich and wouldn't have to work anymore! : D

kimberlylorton avatar
Kimberly Lorton
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My husband has a soft voice in lower tones. Half the time since I've known him he talks and i always have to say "WHAT??" So now after being married almost 30 years i just ignore him and then he will speak up and be louder.

angelamalcolm avatar
Angela Malcolm Baker
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh God. This is the argument my parents have been having for 47 years. Mom mumbles like crazy!

theottleys avatar
Jennifer Ottley
Community Member
2 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

kutiasutton avatar
FABULOUS1
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My wife has been mumbling and speaking in a very low voice for the past 10 years. I sometimes just agree with whatever she is saying or laugh and hope she was telling me something funny. Its possibly I have agreed to commit a crime with or for her at some point but dont know cause i havent heard 75% of what she has told me in 10 years.

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

Sometimes it's a struggle to talk? Sometimes people have quiet voices? Sometimes people have trauma that they mightn't realise is trauma or remember that causes them to mumble? Sometimes it's just a habit and only one person having a problem isn't going to change it? Sometimes people need to get their hearing tested? Sometimes people just speak quietly?

stephaniegoadsby avatar
Stephanie Goadsby
Community Member
2 years ago (edited)

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

What aggravates me is my hubby knows he doesn't hear well (hard of hearing, not going deaf) and has tinnitus but he's always claiming I mumble when in fact, I don't. As an added bonus, he will ask me to repeat myself, be looking right at me from a few feet away, and fail to hear me simply because he wasn't paying attention (zoned out and will freely admit it) and I have to repeat myself again (and sometimes again). If you wanted to know what I said, make the effort to actively listen (a skill set involving empathy)! I get that it's not easy with tinnitus, I just don't care for taking the blame as though it were true when it's simply not the case.

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

You might not mumble but he cannot turn his ears up. He needs to pay attention, sure, but in most of these cases the person speaking could make more effort to be louder. I have worked with people with various degrees of hearing loss and 90% of the time their partners are still talking at normal volume and expect to be heard! Sorry to say, but it won't work. Not everyone is good at lip reading either so paying attention when facing won't make a jot of difference to them. The onus to be heard is on the speaker, not the hearer.

Load More Replies...
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#29

Married People

SqueeTV Report

Add photo comments
POST
andreavilarmelego avatar
Ozacoter
Community Member
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

View more commentsArrow down menu
#31

Married People

EthickingStacie Report

Add photo comments
POST
vanburensupernova44 avatar
Buren
Community Member
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
See Also on Bored Panda
#34

Married People

PurpleQueenNL Report

Add photo comments
POST
belindamatson avatar
Belinda Matson
Community Member
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#35

Married People

MdotCOT Report

Add photo comments
POST
leodomitrix avatar
Leo Domitrix
Community Member
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?"

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#38

Married People

Xanboni Report

Add photo comments
POST
jay-caviness avatar
Madzdad the Bard
Community Member
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?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#39

Married People

chica_en_bici Report

Add photo comments
POST
mbbookkeeping avatar
DuchessDegu
Community Member
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

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#40

Married People

Ebuka Report

Add photo comments
POST
lisah255 avatar
LH25
Community Member
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

Note: this post originally had 105 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.