A Dishwasher Saved My Marriage

So when the Englishman and I said our vows he had to also vow to leave his family, job, and even his country. There are many, Many, MANY cultural differences between him and I and I've even remarked in Our Story about some language barriers (even though we both claim to speak English).

Not long after we were married I came home to a what I thought was a wonderful surprise. HE DID THE DISHES!!! How can anyone complain about that, right? Well, let me tell you....

As I got closer to the dishes drying on a towel I noticed something. Were dish soap bubbles draining off the dishes? Now, I'm not one to complain when my husband helps around the house. EVER. But this was a little different.

Me: "Um, Honey? Did you rinse these?"
Him: *dumbfounded look*
Me: "Why is there soap draining off the dishes?"
Him: *looking at my like I am an idiot* "I washed the dishes!"
Me: "I see that. Thank you! But did you rinse them?"
Him: "I washed them and put them out to dry!"
Me: "OK - but did you rinse them? You do rinse dishes, right?"
Him: "What's the problem?"
Me: "You didn't rinse the dishes so now when I go to have a drink I'll be drinking my water with a side of dish detergent."
Him: "It drains off, what's the problem?"

At this point we are both getting angry with each other - I don't know why he doesn't understand you have to rinse detergent off the dishes. Those dishes aren't exactly clean, right? You get what I'm saying! - He doesn't understand why I'm not getting that the dishes are clean and once dry are ready to be used.

Turns out, and this goes for many people in England, they don't rinse. They wash in one side of the sink and leave the dishes to drain on a rack in the other side of the sink.

I have since learned there is nothing wrong with doing dishes in this manner. The dishes are perfectly safe to use. (I mean, don't we all need a little cleaning on the insides every once in a while?)

Clarkson Household Rules - When in England - do as the English do. When at home - let the dishwasher do what it was made to do! (Including rinses the dishes!!!)