ADVERTISEMENT

In most relationships, at a certain point it just becomes common sense to move in together. More time shared, lower rent and a sure sign that the relationship is being taken to the next level. However, as many women have learned, often this can mean becoming a truly surrogate mother for a partner who suddenly doesn’t know how to do basic tasks.

We’ve gathered some of the most egregious examples of “weaponized incompetence” shared by women across the world. So get comfortable as you scroll through, prepare to roll your eyes, upvote your favorites and be sure to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.

#1

Just Done My Business. *someone* Left This. And Yes, I’m Using This Sub Of 4 Million Users To Personally Call Out My Boyfriend

Just Done My Business. *someone* Left This. And Yes, I’m Using This Sub Of 4 Million Users To Personally Call Out My Boyfriend

beepboopwannadie Report

#2

Boyfriend Put His Drink On My Brand New Notebook, Yesterday

Boyfriend Put His Drink On My Brand New Notebook, Yesterday

CaroDieOn Report

#3

This Is How My Boyfriend Leaves The Sink After He Shaves

This Is How My Boyfriend Leaves The Sink After He Shaves

nymphymixtwo Report

For those who are unfamiliar with the concept of weaponized incompetence, it’s rather simple. Imagine a couple, living together. Perhaps they have just moved in together. It’s time to do the laundry. The man, either lying or entirely truthfully goes "I don’t know how to do it!" So now it’s the woman’s household task.

Now this suddenly becomes her regular routine chore. She asks him to learn, but he either insists it’s impossible or, even worse, he attempts to do it and does the laundry so poorly that she feels like she should do it next time. None of this to say that all women are saints, but this flavor of poor behavior is often male.


#4

Sisters Boyfriend Lost His Wallet Before Leaving To Go To His Moms

Sisters Boyfriend Lost His Wallet Before Leaving To Go To His Moms

EducationalQuiet1052 Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#5

My Boyfriend Puts The Butter Away Like This In The Fridge Door. Fully Exposed And Touching The Fridge I Haven’t Washed In Months

My Boyfriend Puts The Butter Away Like This In The Fridge Door. Fully Exposed And Touching The Fridge I Haven’t Washed In Months

How_you_like_meow Report

#6

Called My Boyfriend From The Supermarket To Check If I Needed To Grab More Pads, He Said ‘No There’s Loads Left’

Called My Boyfriend From The Supermarket To Check If I Needed To Grab More Pads, He Said ‘No There’s Loads Left’

Interesting-Cress-43 Report

Remember, asking a grown adult to do a household task is a normal thing to do. If someone can work a job, even an entry-level one, they have the necessary skills to wash a plate, mop the floor or iron some clothes. It’s ok to not be good at it at first, although it’s really never that hard, unless the plates are truly piled sky-high.

#7

This Can Has Been Directly In Front Of My Boyfriend's Sink Side For Two Weeks And I've Chosen Not To Toss It Just To See If He Would. He Still Hasn't

This Can Has Been Directly In Front Of My Boyfriend's Sink Side For Two Weeks And I've Chosen Not To Toss It Just To See If He Would. He Still Hasn't

Moneychode Report

#8

My Boyfriend Lovingly Insists On Cooking Dinner On Mondays, But Ends Up Leaving All Of His Dishes And Mess Behind Because He Has To Leave For His Weekly Chess Meet Up

My Boyfriend Lovingly Insists On Cooking Dinner On Mondays, But Ends Up Leaving All Of His Dishes And Mess Behind Because He Has To Leave For His Weekly Chess Meet Up

reddit.com Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#9

Went To Get Some Ice Cream And My Boyfriend Left Me This. In Case I “Needed A Pick Me Up But Didn’t Want A Bunch Of Ice Cream.”

Went To Get Some Ice Cream And My Boyfriend Left Me This. In Case I “Needed A Pick Me Up But Didn’t Want A Bunch Of Ice Cream.”

olive711 Report

Unfortunately, some men seem to think that doing their share of manual labor is worse than openly admitting that they can’t figure out which end of a broom to use. This entire strategy relies on the fact that no one calls them out. After all, at some point, as the live-in partner of such a man, you will need some dishes, so you will end up cleaning them yourself.

ADVERTISEMENT
#10

My Boyfriend, Who Doesn’t Buy Any Of The Groceries, Decided To Use Multiple Pounds Of Chicken In A Cooler Instead Of The Bag Of Ice We Have

My Boyfriend, Who Doesn’t Buy Any Of The Groceries, Decided To Use Multiple Pounds Of Chicken In A Cooler Instead Of The Bag Of Ice We Have

cariwinkle Report

#11

Boyfriend Leaves All His Trash In The Car

Boyfriend Leaves All His Trash In The Car

g0atyy Report

#12

Boyfriend Leaves His Used Dental Floss On The Side Table By The Couch

Boyfriend Leaves His Used Dental Floss On The Side Table By The Couch

Big_Bottle3763 Report

The causes are myriad, but it mostly comes down to the fact that these things simply have to be done. Most likely, growing up, these fellows had a parental figure, a maid or even a sibling who picked up the slack while they relaxed. They never mature into adults who take responsibility for the environment around them, to the detriment of their partners. Even worse, they can’t do the most simple things, like finally taking out the trash (themselves.)

#13

Instead Of Rinsing His Cup Between Drinks, My Boyfriend Will Just Refill It With Whatever Since It “Mixes In His Stomach Anyway”. Pictured Is His Glass Of “Water” After Milk And Oreos

Instead Of Rinsing His Cup Between Drinks, My Boyfriend Will Just Refill It With Whatever Since It “Mixes In His Stomach Anyway”. Pictured Is His Glass Of “Water” After Milk And Oreos

gr8cornh0lio Report

#14

My Boyfriend’s Solution To Me Being Mad That He Finishes Everything In The House Without Buying A Replacement

My Boyfriend’s Solution To Me Being Mad That He Finishes Everything In The House Without Buying A Replacement

OhhHunnyBunny Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#15

When My Boyfriend Leaves Empty Packages In The Fridge

When My Boyfriend Leaves Empty Packages In The Fridge

anonysmoker Report

#16

Safari On My Boyfriend’s Phone

Safari On My Boyfriend’s Phone

burnerakcount Report

#17

Boyfriend Keeps A Graveyard Of Shower Gel With One Half-Squirt Left

Boyfriend Keeps A Graveyard Of Shower Gel With One Half-Squirt Left

reddit.com Report

#18

Stayed The Night At My Boyfriend’s, Didn’t Bring Breakfast Because He Said I Can Cook There. Morning Comes, He Proceeds To Pull Out These Two Things. Out Of The Dishwasher No Less

Stayed The Night At My Boyfriend’s, Didn’t Bring Breakfast Because He Said I Can Cook There. Morning Comes, He Proceeds To Pull Out These Two Things. Out Of The Dishwasher No Less

ShySubm Report

#19

My Boyfriend "Tastes Tests" All The Chocolates One By One Whenever I Buy Us A Box Of Chocolates To Share

My Boyfriend "Tastes Tests" All The Chocolates One By One Whenever I Buy Us A Box Of Chocolates To Share

WalterWhitesVan Report

#20

My Boyfriend's Job Title Is Actually "Solutions Engineer." This Was His Solution

My Boyfriend's Job Title Is Actually "Solutions Engineer." This Was His Solution

8Ariadnesthread8 Report

#21

How My Boyfriend Leaves His Coffee Cup Every Morning

How My Boyfriend Leaves His Coffee Cup Every Morning

BaahMcDuck Report

#22

Why Is My Boyfriend Doing This? ) ‘ :

Why Is My Boyfriend Doing This? ) ‘ :

watzit_t00ya Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#23

The Amount Of Tea My Boyfriend Left In The Pitcher

The Amount Of Tea My Boyfriend Left In The Pitcher

gir_jaspyr Report

#24

According To My Boyfriend, His Toothbrush Does Not Need To Be Changed

According To My Boyfriend, His Toothbrush Does Not Need To Be Changed

ihadanightmarewithu Report

#25

My Boyfriend : *does The Dishes* The Sink :

My Boyfriend : *does The Dishes* The Sink :

lululock Report

#26

The Way My Boyfriend Is Eating This Pie

The Way My Boyfriend Is Eating This Pie

Ok-Cover-4137 Report

#27

My Boyfriends Food Cupboard 😳 I Think He Must Upend His Shopping Bags Direct In The Cupboard Rather Than Unpack

My Boyfriends Food Cupboard 😳 I Think He Must Upend His Shopping Bags Direct In The Cupboard Rather Than Unpack

lellielellelelle Report

#28

Are These Really Still Ok? My Boyfriend Thinks That These Shoes Are Fine. Wears Them To Work, Around Town. “50% Of People Wear Their Shoes To This Point”

Are These Really Still Ok? My Boyfriend Thinks That These Shoes Are Fine. Wears Them To Work, Around Town. “50% Of People Wear Their Shoes To This Point”

qweenmothraaa Report

#29

Came Home To A Smokey Apartment And A Boyfriend Asleep On The Couch. Not Even Sure What These Were

Came Home To A Smokey Apartment And A Boyfriend Asleep On The Couch. Not Even Sure What These Were

Interesting-Duck6793 Report

#30

This Is How Much Ice Cream My Boyfriend Left In My Pint Of Ben & Jerry's 🙃

This Is How Much Ice Cream My Boyfriend Left In My Pint Of Ben & Jerry's 🙃

EllyDarling Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#31

My Boyfriend Ate All The Skin Off Our Rotisserie Chicken

My Boyfriend Ate All The Skin Off Our Rotisserie Chicken

logicalnifty Report

#33

Good Morning. Found My Boyfriends Glass Bottles In The Freezer. He’s At Work

Good Morning. Found My Boyfriends Glass Bottles In The Freezer. He’s At Work

AriValentina Report

#34

My Boyfriend’s Toilet Paper Graveyard

My Boyfriend’s Toilet Paper Graveyard

PardonedTurkey Report

Add photo comments
POST
Kerry
Community Member
1 day ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thoughtful really...he knows not to leave the empty roll for you! 😇😉

Shannon Donnelly
Community Member
1 day ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

WHY DO MEN DO THIS??? Our recycling box is literally right outside our bathroom door, and my fiancé will STILL create a pile of empty rolls if given the chance!! One of the many reasons we have separate bathrooms!!

Darius S. (he/him) cis/grey
Community Member
1 day ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

female roommates have done this to me as well. And Darn Tootin'... The exact same thought about recycling box being so close. Now, I gotta admit I do this with towel rolls in kitchen.. I know that tiny bit glued to the roll is not something I'm leaving for someone..but I think I'm still gonna use it for a sauce drop on counter.. but now there's 2 next to the coffee maker.

Load More Replies...
LynzCatastrophe
Community Member
1 day ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So here's what I did. I was getting tired of coming home from work (two weeks on, two off) and finding a tower of toilet paper tube's in or around the bathroom garbage that he'd never empty. So I removed the can. I quickly figured out that wasn't a solution and he'd put them on the floor.

Orange Panda
Community Member
1 day ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My late husband learned this from his mom. They were both terrified of finishing a roll and changing it.

Justin Light
Community Member
1 day ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Incompetence is not the same as weaponized incompetence

View more commentsArrow down menu
#35

Asking My Boyfriend To Not Empty The Entire Can Of Pringles (My Fav Flavor)

Asking My Boyfriend To Not Empty The Entire Can Of Pringles (My Fav Flavor)

egewh Report

#36

How My Boyfriend Packed Up A Moving Box With Kitchen Stuff While I Was At Work

How My Boyfriend Packed Up A Moving Box With Kitchen Stuff While I Was At Work

Late-Style4892 Report

#37

My Boyfriend Insists On Storing Leftovers In Ziplock Bags Even Though We Have Plenty Of Tupperware. His Reasoning Is It “Saves A Dish”, Even Though They Have To Be Transferred To A Dish Later Anyway. In Reality He Just Makes A Huge Mess And Wastes A Bag

My Boyfriend Insists On Storing Leftovers In Ziplock Bags Even Though We Have Plenty Of Tupperware. His Reasoning Is It “Saves A Dish”, Even Though They Have To Be Transferred To A Dish Later Anyway. In Reality He Just Makes A Huge Mess And Wastes A Bag

leftnewdigg2 Report

#38

The Container My Boyfriend Picked To Put Away Leftover Pancakes

The Container My Boyfriend Picked To Put Away Leftover Pancakes

yourdadcaIIsmekatya Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#39

My Boyfriend Took A Bite Out Of All Three Of My Hashbrowns

My Boyfriend Took A Bite Out Of All Three Of My Hashbrowns

gabbapentin Report

#40

Came To The Kitchen To Find Out That My Boyfriend Hung The Towel Like This 🤨

Came To The Kitchen To Find Out That My Boyfriend Hung The Towel Like This 🤨

reddit.com Report

#41

My Boyfriend 'Helpfully' Put My Expensive Indoor Plants Outside For "Fresh Air", And They Got Irreparably Sunburnt :(

My Boyfriend 'Helpfully' Put My Expensive Indoor Plants Outside For "Fresh Air", And They Got Irreparably Sunburnt :(

Failingunistudent_ Report

#42

My Boyfriend Forgot To Buy Shower Curtain Rings

My Boyfriend Forgot To Buy Shower Curtain Rings

Kindly-Small-4845 Report

#43

Recently Moved In With My Boyfriend Who Has A Habit Of Leaving His Clothes On The Floor, I Asked Him To Put His Jeans Away In His Closet And This Is What I Found Later

Recently Moved In With My Boyfriend Who Has A Habit Of Leaving His Clothes On The Floor, I Asked Him To Put His Jeans Away In His Closet And This Is What I Found Later

Mallll4 Report

#44

My Boyfriend Made Croissants This Way.. Am I Dating A Serial K*ller?

My Boyfriend Made Croissants This Way.. Am I Dating A Serial K*ller?

AdComprehensive114 Report

#45

Hos Much Dishsoap My Boyfriend Think He Needs For One Pot

Hos Much Dishsoap My Boyfriend Think He Needs For One Pot

Fegmdute Report

#46

My (Now Ex) Boyfriend Just Broke Up With Me Via Text Message Tonight :|

My (Now Ex) Boyfriend Just Broke Up With Me Via Text Message Tonight :|

reddit.com Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#47

Boyfriend Always Buys A Bag At The Store

Boyfriend Always Buys A Bag At The Store

LottieChp Report

#48

My Boyfriend's Single Bite Of My Apple

My Boyfriend's Single Bite Of My Apple

cloudnineteen99 Report

#49

My Boyfriend Made Me Coffee The Other Day

My Boyfriend Made Me Coffee The Other Day

farachun Report

#50

My Boyfriend Puts Snacks In My Fruit Hanging Basket

My Boyfriend Puts Snacks In My Fruit Hanging Basket

LurkisMcGurkis Report

#51

How My Husband Leaves This

How My Husband Leaves This

Report

Add photo comments
POST

Note: this post originally had 76 images. It’s been shortened to the top 51 images based on user votes.

Add New Image This post is a community curated image gallery Plus add imageAdd Image
Add New Image

Add Your Photo To This List

Please use high-res photos without watermarks

Upload from computerUpload Photo

Not your original work? Add source

Publish