In 2024, the age-old debate over household chores and gender roles has taken a quirky, yet revealing turn on social media. A viral thread titled “Get in the bin, you absolute child”: 30 of the worst excuses women got from men over chores has captured widespread attention, offering a humorous yet insightful glimpse into the excuses men still use to avoid their share of domestic responsibilities.
The thread, compiled from submissions worldwide, showcases a spectrum of excuses that range from the bizarre to the downright ridiculous. These confessions illustrate not only the ongoing gender dynamics in shared living spaces but also the often overlooked emotional labor women face when managing household duties.
One particularly popular excuse, which also inspired the thread’s title, involves a man’s curt dismissal of his partner’s request for help with tidying up: “Get in the bin, you absolute child.” This phrase, as baffling as it is blunt, epitomizes the playful yet frustrating tone that runs through many of the posts. Women shared these interactions as a way to vent, raise awareness, and foster conversation around equitable household work.
A common theme in many of these stories centers on men deflecting chores under the guise of professional help. Numerous women recounted partners claiming they would “let go of the cleaning lady” only to revert to avoidance once that was no longer a convenient excuse. One woman wrote, “He told me he’d fire the cleaner so we could do things properly ourselves. Two weeks later, no cleaning done by him and no cleaner coming back either.”
Other notable excuses include:
- “I’m waiting for the house robot to arrive.”
- “I’m allergic to soap.”
- “It’s your turn, and I didn’t get the memo that chores rotated nightly.”
- “The vacuum is evil and we should not anger it.”
While the tone of many entries is humorous, experts emphasize that the underlying issue is serious. Household chores remain disproportionately managed by women in many relationships, imposing an invisible load that can exacerbate stress and hurt relationship satisfaction.
Social commentators highlight that the endurance of such excuses signals a greater need for open dialogues about fairness in domestic spaces. With more couples working from home and spending increased time indoors since the pandemic, the visibility and importance of shared chores are at an all-time high.
Interestingly, the thread has sparked a wave of responses, with men on social media also joining the conversation — some apologizing for past behavior, others sharing their own funny failures, and many affirming a commitment to bettering their chore game.
Ultimately, the viral success of “Get in the bin, you absolute child” reminds us that while excuses might make us laugh, solutions require honest communication and effort. Sharing these stories shines a light on common household dynamics and encourages everyone to step up, clean up, and work together.
As one contributor perfectly summed up: “If a chore excuse sounds this silly out loud, maybe it’s time to just pick up the mop.”
