role revarsal
I was invited to a friend’s housewarming over the weekend. And boy did he cook! I guess it wasn’t anything spectacular but really, I was impressed. I guess I am easily impressed by anything that goes beyond pasta and instant food. (in defense, I must say that although I can only cook pasta, I do it well! Haha). He was immediately more attractive to me.Strange that these days, I find a guy who has “domestic” abilities attractive. Those who can cook, clean and basically keep their house in order impresses me. Partly because I am not good at any of these and also because somehow, a guy who can do all these things says something else about himself. Perhaps, it’s a sign of independence, the ability to look after himself at least that assures me that he can take care of me too. I think these traits are important especially in Singapore where many people live with their parents till they get married. As a result, most of them struggle with housekeeping and cooking. (I’ve married friends who tells me that their husbands really can’t take care of themselves and don’t know how to do simple household chores…) I am too, a result of this society but in a different way. Growing up with a traditional, conservative thinking mother, I have been thought to do housework because to her, every woman should be able to take care of their husband and kids. I always have to do my laundry while my brother does not. What injustice! I don’t mind doing my laundry but why does my brother get away with it? Geez…
I appreciate these so called domestic qualities after I’ve spent some time living alone abroad. During school time, it wasn’t really counted. I never had to cook, home was only 30mins away so essentially, I was not independent. But when I was in Italy, I was totally on my own. Grocery shopping, planning what to cook, learning to cook simple stuff all these were something I’d never done in Singapore. Instant noodles were expensive so I’d prefer to cook something else instead. I remembered having to learn from my housemates who were also all younger than me. Margo (gorgeous blond babe) told me that she started cooking really young. Its part of their culture in a way cos food outside is so expensive. Once I was lamenting to Paula that I can’t make salad because I couldn’t find dressing at the supermarket…
: how do you make your salad when I don’t see any “thousand island” at the supermarket?
P: You make them
: What? You mean you can make them???
That’s it! I sounded like Paris Hilton. Nothing else exist outside “krafts”
Its something like a role reversal for me. I actually learn how to cook from men. From my brother who taught me how to crack my first egg, to my ex boyfriends who could whip up like meals I thought could only be found in restaurants. They make it look so simple. Recently I watched someone prepare steak with mushroom sauce… he was like done in 30mins. No sweat!
I think Singaporean men should honestly live alone for some time. I think NS helps but its not enough because they still get to go home every weekend to be coddle by mama.
I don’t think I’ll make a perfect housewife in my mum’s eyes. But at least, I can survive on my own.
posted by eline @ 11:24 AM
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