Meow lol I don't do the ironing, it's iron when you need it. Plus it seems to be working, it's not that he needs my cooking, he is just too lazy to do anything himself even lift up a phone or in his case go to a cash point in advance to get the money out for the takeaway haha

I don't eat meat but still agree that a lovely fresh veggie Balti would be better than any of that tinned crap

I have done this in the past but a couple of days of fray bentos and limp, undercooked oven chips and I'm back with the skillet in my hand.

I suspect there's a saving to be made there....

My husband used to similar to this. I would cook for him and he would feed most of it to the dog. He barely used to eat and was really skinny. He would say that he would pop a pill if he could rather than eat 'real' food. BUT, occasionally it would really annoy me as i would spend hours in the kitchen trying to cook something to tempt him whereas all he wanted was a bag of crisps.

Occasionally I would sit stewing thinking that i would cook something lovely for me and just give him beans on toast every day ... but i knew he would actually prefer this, so it put me off.

Luckily for me, things changed. He got a new job and I started giving him a packed lunch which increased his appetite and for the first time he actually gets hungry these days and looks forward to his dinner (he has also put on over a stone in weight).

Just one thing about some posters who have stated 'you don't just cook for the thanks' I think it is polite though to thank the person who made the food for you. Even the years when my husband barely ate, he still said thank you when I passed him his meal. I would be a little miffed if he didn't.

I think I am the guilty one for saying this. But all I am saying is I wouldn't do the strike thing because someone not being appreciative of my cooking their dinner doesn't bother me. I used to cook all the time for my father and he never once said thank you. I didn't care one iota I would enjoy my meal and clean up, I wouldn't be getting upset by it though.

So while I agree that it is polite to say thank you, I just don't get upset when courtesy is not offered.

Also just to add, the bit where you said your OH would have preferred Beans on Toast and therefore you didn't do it, I know you didn't mean it to sound that way (as you are a romantic as seen in the other thread ) but it does sound a little mean

Hehehehe, no, i mean't he would have prefered beans on toast every single day. He still gets it about once a fortnight when he is on a late shift ... and when I give it to him he says 'Cor, a proper dinner' I really don't know why i bother !!

I totally agree. If anyone spends time and puts their heart into cooking a meal for me (or in fact any task, not necessarily cooking) I thank them for their kindness.

My kids always said thank you for their meals, I don't ever remember teaching them it so i can only presume they just said it. My 25yr old son is still at home & he still says thanks when he takes his meal, I always say your welcome but its habbit & to be honest its only now & again I realise we have both said it.

Hows the strike going OP?

I understand where you're coming from. I plan all the meals, do all the shopping and when he complains it pisses me off. I've tried to encourage him to tell me what meals he wants but he always says he doesn't know. Argh.

Playing devils advocate here but I would say most people who say I don't know when asked what they want, really don't want to tell you what they want as it would sound even more impolite than just not enjoying what is put in front of them.

It is like they would feel like you are telling them to cook this as if you are some kind of slave. I would feel cheeky myself if I had someone suggesting what they will cook and then I say well actually I fancy Rack of Lamb on a warm mixed bean salad....

I haven't had someone cook for me since I was a child (well other than Takeout and Restaurant experiences) so I don't have experience of annoying people this way but I am just trying to think about it from the other persons perspective.

Radio this is exactly it! lol it's frustrating too when he complains, but also won't give me any input when deciding on the meals.

The strike is going pretty well and having the desired effect. Usually on a "special occasions", like tonight I would go to town and do a three course meal. Tonight we have got frozen lasagna and chips haha

The best thing? He bought me a pasta machine for valentines hahahaha the irony!!! Meatless pasta was was sparked the strike!