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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

Empty toilet paper roll on a holder, symbolizing weaponized incompetence.

beepboopwannadie Report

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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

Messy living room with cushions scattered, reflecting weaponized incompetence concept.

EducationalQuiet1052 Report

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#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

Piece of butter in an almost empty fridge illustrating weaponized incompetence.

How_you_like_meow Report

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Mäandertal
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh so now EVERYBODY cleans their fridge on the reg, every few weeks, apparently. I've seen many fridges. At least half of you are liars. Where's my "I can't remember the last time I deep cleaned my fridge' squad?

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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

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

Colorful button pouch and pink patterned packs on a dark shelf, illustrating the concept of weaponized incompetence.

Interesting-Cress-43 Report

#8

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

Text exchange showing possible example of weaponized incompetence regarding handling frozen chicken.

cariwinkle Report

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#9

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

A can placed sideways on a bathroom counter, surrounded by grooming products, illustrating weaponized incompetence.

Moneychode 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.

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#10

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

Messy kitchen with pots and utensils scattered, illustrating the concept of weaponized incompetence in cooking.

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Susie Elle
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My boyfriend does this too. He'll make a lovely elaborate dish and transform the kitchen into a warzone in the process (which he then leaves for me to deal with, because he thinks it's 'not that bad').

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#11

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.”

Empty ice cream container on a concrete floor, illustrating weaponized incompetence.

olive711 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

Glass with debris on a coaster, illustrating weaponized incompetence in household chores.

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Steve Sharpe
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When the title said "cup" I was thinking like coffee cup, like a mug or whatever, and didn't see what the fuss was - if I finish my coffee and decide to have another one straight away I just slosh it out under the tap and reuse it. I was not quite prepared for what the photo shows, and now feel slightly unwell.

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#14

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

A mostly empty snack bag, illustrating the concept of weaponized incompetence with only a few crackers left inside.

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#15

When My Boyfriend Leaves Empty Packages In The Fridge

Empty carton left in fridge, illustrating weaponized incompetence.

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Skip62
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And when he asks for something, does she say there's a package in the fridge and let him come up with the empty package?

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#17

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

Empty chocolate tray with leftover bits, symbolizing weaponized incompetence in a disorganized manner.

WalterWhitesVan 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

Old, dirty frying pans on a kitchen counter, illustrating weaponized incompetence in household chores.

ShySubm Report

#19

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

Empty shampoo bottles lined up in a shower, illustrating the concept of weaponized incompetence.

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CK
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Everyone knows you get the last bit out by diluting it with a little water.

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#20

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

Toilet paper roll placed on top of an empty holder, illustrating weaponized incompetence in household tasks.

8Ariadnesthread8 Report

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Superb Owl
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well it _is_ a solution. Is it a good solution? No. Is it an annoying solution? Yes – but it is a solution.

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#21

How My Boyfriend Leaves His Coffee Cup Every Morning

White mug precariously placed on the edge of a wooden table, illustrating weaponized incompetence.

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HTakeover
Community Member
1 week ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't worry, the bottles of (edit: wine, not vodka) under it will catch it.

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#22

Why Is My Boyfriend Doing This? ) ‘ :

Text exchange about finding Q-tips in the toilet, highlighting weaponized incompetence.

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Jane Jayne Jain Jeign Jein
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Whenever I see those signs in public restrooms reminding people to only flush toilet paper, I wonder who could possibly still need to be told this? Now I know.

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#25

The Amount Of Tea My Boyfriend Left In The Pitcher

Pitcher with a red lid almost empty in the fridge, illustrating the idea of weaponized incompetence in household chores.

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Dragon mama
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Omg my son does this to avoid making more. Drives me nuts! At least he has the excuse of being a literal child but I've been putting my foot down so he doesn't become a grown man who does this b.s.

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#26

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

Burnt food on foil showcasing weaponized incompetence in cooking.

Interesting-Duck6793 Report

#27

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

Cup with insufficiently mixed ingredients illustrates weaponized incompetence in a casual setting.

EllyDarling Report

#28

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

Empty Pringles can with a few chips left, illustrating weaponized incompetence.

egewh Report

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

I learned when I was married to my ex-husband that if there was a specific snack that I wanted to actually last, I kept it in my car (or hidden in the basement by the washing machine during the summer), otherwise it would be gone before I even got a bite of it. I still have a tendency to stash little snacks in hiding places around my house, which is actually fun when I forget about them and then suddenly find a "surprise" later on when doing chores.

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#30

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”

Worn-out shoe with holes exposing toes, illustrating weaponized incompetence in maintenance or repair.

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#31

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

Cluttered pantry shelf with disorganized canned goods and packages, illustrating weaponized incompetence in organizing.

lellielellelelle Report

#32

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

Broken bottles with spilled purple liquid, illustrating weaponized incompetence in a careless mess.

AriValentina Report

#34

My Boyfriend’s Toilet Paper Graveyard

Toilet paper rolls on a shelf, representing the concept of weaponized incompetence in everyday tasks.

PardonedTurkey Report

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Kerry
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

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#35

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

Striped kitchen towel hung incorrectly, demonstrating weaponized incompetence.

reddit.com Report

#37

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

Messy closet with jeans tangled over shirts, illustrating weaponized incompetence.

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#39

The Container My Boyfriend Picked To Put Away Leftover Pancakes

A person holding a Pyrex measuring cup filled with cooked sausages, exemplifying weaponized incompetence in cooking.

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zububonsai
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At least he DID pick a container (remembering the exposed bit of butter in the fridge further up?)

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#40

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

Close-up of a neglected houseplant with browning leaves, illustrating the theme of weaponized incompetence.

Failingunistudent_ Report

#41

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

A cluttered box filled with various household items and utensils, exemplifying weaponized incompetence.

Late-Style4892 Report

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Pernille
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks like he emptied ’ The Drawer' into a box. I have done the same every time I've moved, then I just have to empty the box into a new drawer. I would however not mix in the fridge contents.

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#43

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

A frozen bag of walnuts on a wooden table, illustrating weaponized incompetence in food storage.

leftnewdigg2 Report

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xolitaire
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In many cases ziplock bags work better than tupperware. And it saves space in the freezer. Not everyone has a freezer the size of a pony

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#45

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

Baking mishap showing uneven dough on a tray, representing weaponized incompetence in cooking.

AdComprehensive114 Report

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Mäandertal
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If he's a serial killer, he will be caught soon because he doesn't seem awfully smart.

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#47

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

Person holding hash browns in paper wrapping at a fast-food restaurant.

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#51

My Boyfriend Refuses To Use The „wash As You Go“ Method When Cooking Dinner

My Boyfriend Refuses To Use The „wash As You Go“ Method When Cooking Dinner

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Glix Drap
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well he should then learn the "Now go do the wasing up" method.

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#52

My Boyfriend Always Opens The Bag Like This

My Boyfriend Always Opens The Bag Like This

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

HEATHEN!! That's what I shout at my fiancé every time he rips open a box of donuts or bag of whatever like this and makes it impossible to close neatly or even at all. It makes him laugh, but also reminds him that at 46, he should know better.

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#54

My Boyfriend Doesn't Use The Card Slots In His Wallet

My Boyfriend Doesn't Use The Card Slots In His Wallet

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#56

My Boyfriend Put My Nintendo Switch Through The Washing Machine

My Boyfriend Put My Nintendo Switch Through The Washing Machine

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RedHairedDragon
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I went to Reddit and looked it up. They were in bed, she gave him the switch before falling asleep. He put it on top of the laundry basket next to the bed. The next morning he started a wash and just dumped the basket in the machine.

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#57

For The Past Month My Windshield Has Been Icing Up On Both The Inside And The Outside. It Is Extremely Difficult To Remove From The Inside Even With An Ice Scraper. My Boyfriend Was Trying To Be Sweet And Washed My Floor Mats In The Middle Of Winter, But Didn't Dry Them

For The Past Month My Windshield Has Been Icing Up On Both The Inside And The Outside. It Is Extremely Difficult To Remove From The Inside Even With An Ice Scraper. My Boyfriend Was Trying To Be Sweet And Washed My Floor Mats In The Middle Of Winter, But Didn't Dry Them

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Jenny Lind
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Actual advice that works: Two socks filled with (clean) cat litter. Should absorb the moisture in a few days 😊 (Love from Iceland)

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#58

My Boyfriend Loves To Text Me And Then Completely Abandon His Phone. Note That I Responded No More Than A Minute After He First Texted Me, Its Been Over An Hour And Still Nothing. I Even Tried Calling Him And Surprise, No Answer. It’s More Than Mildly Infuriating But I Love Him Regardless

My Boyfriend Loves To Text Me And Then Completely Abandon His Phone. Note That I Responded No More Than A Minute After He First Texted Me, Its Been Over An Hour And Still Nothing. I Even Tried Calling Him And Surprise, No Answer. It’s More Than Mildly Infuriating But I Love Him Regardless

the_worst_seamstress Report

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Mäandertal
Community Member
1 week ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I tend to get distracted as well. No ill intent. My partner knows this and doesn't take it personally. I find the 4 messages to the boyfriend complete overkill. But I'm guessing I'll be in the minority with this.

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#61

My Boyfriend Took A Bite Of All The Chocolates To Find The Caramel One, There Wasn't Any

My Boyfriend Took A Bite Of All The Chocolates To Find The Caramel One, There Wasn't Any

WalterWhitesVan Report

#62

Sometimes, I Think About How Much I Love My Boyfriend. Then He Does Stuff Like This

Sometimes, I Think About How Much I Love My Boyfriend. Then He Does Stuff Like This

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#63

My Boyfriend Uses An Absurd Amount Of Hand Lotion Before Bed Every Night

My Boyfriend Uses An Absurd Amount Of Hand Lotion Before Bed Every Night

420girly_ Report

#64

The Plate My Boyfriend Made Himself For Dinner. Needless To Say The Air In Our Apartment Was Unbreathable A Few Hours Later

The Plate My Boyfriend Made Himself For Dinner. Needless To Say The Air In Our Apartment Was Unbreathable A Few Hours Later

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#68

How My Boyfriend Uses Cheese... I-

How My Boyfriend Uses Cheese... I-

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Show thyself
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's not too bad. 🤷 Those slices are way to big for a bun or most bread-types. If the breaking-line is that disturbing - insist that bf needs to cut them.

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#71

How My Boyfriend Eats Burgers

How My Boyfriend Eats Burgers

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Jane Jayne Jain Jeign Jein
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would be so insulted if I found out my partner had shared my personal eating habits in a bid to embarrass me and label me as incompetent - a lot of these 'shamers' need to get a grip.

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#72

How My Boyfriend Wears His Socks. They Didn't Roll Down On Their Own, He Intentionally Does This

How My Boyfriend Wears His Socks. They Didn't Roll Down On Their Own, He Intentionally Does This

HowThoseTitsFart Report

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zububonsai
Community Member
1 week ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So what? I really see no hygienic malpractice or "Fremdschäm-Anlass"(opportunity for feeling embarrassed for someone else's behaviour) like in the other posts.

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#73

The Way My Boyfriend Wears Socks Around The House

The Way My Boyfriend Wears Socks Around The House

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Superb Owl
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I see no incompetence, weaponized or otherwise, just a guy being comfortable in his home while not even inconveniencing anyone.

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#75

The Way My Boyfriend Makes Ramen

The Way My Boyfriend Makes Ramen

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Gwyn
Community Member
1 week ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nothing wrong with that, there is more than one e way to make ramen. Add boiling water, or cook in pan on stove, or microwave. All legit.

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#76

How My Boyfriend Folds Socks Versus How They Should Be Folded

How My Boyfriend Folds Socks Versus How They Should Be Folded

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Ivo H
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"How they should be folded" - according to whom? Ministry of socks folding?

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