Newspaper on the table????

[Anonymous]

Regarding NP ink - while it is okay to read at the table, I do not ever put the paper on my couch. If I read in the family room, the portion of the paper I am not reading goes on the floor and the part I am, is either held in my hands or in my lap. I don't want the ink to get on my couch, so we have a no NP on couch rule.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OMG Let me run and apologize to DH then.

I never knew about this! I'm not American and back home my dad would sit on the porch to read the paper on Sunday morning. We were never allowed to read or watch TV while eating.

So I guess I'll have to just suck it up then

I read the paper but I do it in the living room and wash my hands afterwards.

BTW, have you tried washing your hands immediately after handling the paper? Notice the color of the water and you'll know what I'm talking about. If you read the paper and go do other stuff the ink will fade away from your hands that's why you won't notice.

Thanks for the reality check. Now, marching to the living room to apologize.

Well. I'm glad that you are apologizing. Sounds like more is going on than newsprint stained fingers...

[Anonymous]

I think having a newspaper around is good for kids. We always had a newspaper on the table as a kid, and often, because it was THERE I'd read it.

[Anonymous]

I absolutely love the smell of the newspaper. One of life's simple pleasures.

[Anonymous]

I was thinking you were mad because he wasn't paying attention to you or being social. I could see that as being rude if one person tunes everyone else out who all happen to not be reading by reading at the table. But it's pretty common for couples to sit at the table and both be reading and not engaged in a conversation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Reading the newspaper with a cup of coffee at the breakfast table is one of life's small simple pleasures. I'd be sad too if my spouse wanted me to stop.

Me too. I'd think my spouse was nuts if he wanted me to stop.

[Anonymous]

This is the OP.

I read the paper mostly online for this very reason. The texture irks me, the smell is bad (I like gas smell though lol), and the ink issue too.

Anyway, I'm the one picking up the parts of the paper around the house so I just put a nice basket on a corner of the dining room and asked DH to drop the paper there after he's finished reading. I hope that helps to contain the mess and I promise not to complain anymore.

And I love how DCUMers like to evaluate (YES, I MEAN JUDGE) other's relationships based on one single episode... Great laugh you guys gave me, I must say.

[Anonymous]

BTW I have no problem with finger painting with the kids and I love playdoh!

[Anonymous]

OP, your first post was worded quite strongly, pretty much implying that your DH was a freak for enjoying the newspaper at the table. So, I think other posters returned in kind, because this issue is really nothing for you and your DH to argue about. You gotta give this one up.

[Anonymous]

I'm with the OP with regards to smell and texture of the paper and I hate how dirty my hands get as well. I usually read the paper online, but since I have birds I do have to buy the occasional paper to line the cages with. I think it's rude to read the paper at the table when other people are present but if you're alone then go for it.

[Anonymous]

OP, if your husband reads something or looks at a screen while you are trying to hold a meaningful conversation, that is rude.

DH has banned reading at the table, because he knows that once I get into reading, I tune everything out !

[Anonymous]

PP - forgot to say that all inks are in some measure toxic. Some people wore gloves in earlier times to read the paper, although with better ink and printing technology no one does this anymore.
So it is a good idea to wash your hands.

[Anonymous]

I also think it's better to read at the table rather than get ink all over the living room furniture.

[Anonymous]

I think he should put it down for the one day per week that you eat breakfast together.

[Anonymous]

I think the OP is bouquet bride.