In a story highlighting the growing issue that is male loneliness, 35-year-old Chicago resident Danny Gaines was forced to watch TV in the living room by himself after dinner, as everyone else was too busy cleaning up to hangout.
Tragic!
“They’re all in the kitchen scrubbing dishes after the meal that they also planned, bought, and prepared, and I’m out here all by myself,” Danny told reporters. “That kind of thing can really take a toll on a guy’s mental health.”
In lieu of addressing these issues in therapy, Danny said he prefers to sulk until his wife asks him what’s up, then proceeding to snap at her for always nosing into his business.
“They’re not just cleaning up in there,” Danny added. “I can hear them talking, laughing, singing, and dancing with abandon.”
Danny said having to listen to the women in his life bond and engage in shared joy in spite of all of life’s hardships was really isolating for him.
“I wish they’d clean up quietly. They’re making me feel on the outside looking in.”
When asked why he doesn’t just join them in the kitchen and help with the dishes, Danny simply replied, “Game’s on.”
For sure!
“Men are expected to be strong and independent, and it’s really hard for us guys to express our emotions,” Danny said while dirtying another plate and setting it on the side table for someone else to take care of. “I just wish women were more aware of that.”
He continued, saying, “Like, they’re definitely done with the dishes by now, yet they’re still hanging out and chatting in the kitchen. They’re deliberately excluding me at this point.”
When asked what he would want the women in his life to do once they joined him in the living room, Danny responded, “Well, they would definitely need to be quieter because, like I said, I’m watching the game. I will get actively annoyed if anyone talks.”
Yes, that’s surely the road to creating more vibrant interpersonal connections!
As of press time, Danny had finally taken accountability for his situation, going into the kitchen and clanging around in the cabinets passive-aggressively until someone asked him what was the matter.
