1. He does one thing at a time. He concentrates on one thing at a time and can uncannily tune everything else out. For example, he cannot talk on the phone and watch the children. It is very possible that while he talks on the phone, his children could be playing with sharp kitchen knives right under his nose, and he would have no idea! Ahem.
2. He thinks in numbers, big ones. When his unsuspecting wife asks for something he finds trivial, he might tell her how much that would cost him for the next week, month, year…and how much he would have to pay if she lived to be eighty. He would rattle this off in a matter of seconds. Small numbers he doesn’t really understand. Like if the kids ask, “Dad what’s five plus three?” Nope, that’s a mom question!
3. He likes to take things apart, but doesn’t always know how to put them back together. Like when a fridge quits working for example. If all else fails use Duck Tape. If Duck Tape fails, it’s time to call the repair man.
4. He can’t make a purchase without research. If his wife wants to make a purchase he might not allow her to run to Sam’s Club to buy it. He must first spend hours to research the best price online. Then he must spend a couple hours driving to at least three different stores to see the selections and prices. Then and only then can she go to Sam’s Club, where the best price and selection can generally be found, to purchase the item. But on occasion he will find a much better deal and save money, and will forever remember those few occasions! Ha ha!
5. He is very thorough. Asking him to help you clean something 30 minutes before company is to arrive is not recommended. He cannot take a vacuum and run it around the middle of the floor and put it away, even when he intends to. He’ll start with the middle of the floor. Then he’ll see something peeking out from under the couch. As he goes to pick it up, he will see lots of things under the couch. He must, therefore, move the couch and clean all the junk. While he is gathering the toys, he’ll find a stain under the couch where a drink was spilled. He will then begin working with stain remover… That’s when your company arrives, with your entire living room torn apart and your husband knee deep in stain remover.
6. He is a problem solver. He is not wired for talking about a problem. Fixing it is the only option. If you just want someone to listen and empathize he needs to know that in advance. Then he may still forget and tell you how to fix it. If you just want a hug don’t tell him about your problem, just ask for the hug. It cuts to the chase and THAT he understands!
7. He has feelings; he just doesn’t know it! Talking about how he feels about things is like speaking a foreign language. Do not and I repeat DO NOT ask him how he feels about something. Instead, ask him what he thinks about something. That’s when he tells you how he feels about it, but in much more logical and concrete vocabulary so that it appears he doesn’t have feelings.
8. He is a bit absentminded. It’s quite possible that he might lock his keys in his car three times say…the first week you return from your honeymoon. He does not do it on purpose so cut him some slack. The first time you might be all gushy and forgiving. The second time, you might be a little surprised, but bail him out. After the third time no one would blame you if you purposely “lose” his keys so he has to ride the bus.
9. He loses track of time. It would not be completely unusual for him to be an hour or two late because (refer to #1) he was so intent on his work that he forgot to go home. Or maybe he could be so intent on studying for a test that he forgets to go and actually take the test! Stranger things have happened right?
10. He is your best friend! Amid all the crazy things he KNOWS he can’t do life without you. Your marriage is an adventure that you either laugh or cry over, but find laughing is much more fun and lean heavily toward that end!
Yeah there are a few of those that I am thinking is all men in general.. not just engineers. Especially the feelings and has to fix it thing. That is most definitely a male trait in general..
Interesting. I have a PhD in structural engineering, and since becoming too ill to teach, I’ve started a second career writing Christian romance novels.
One thing that might be added – though for me it comes more from military training – is that this individual will set up as much as possible before an activity.
Clothing’s set out the night before, but not just laid out – positioned in such as way as to minimize the time it takes to dress.
Breakfast fixings will be placed so that movement is as economical as possible.
Also, the ‘nasty bits’ of a job are done first, and gotten out of the way, because everything feel like it’s downhill from there.
Visiting here from Messy Marriage and cracking up at this post!
I’m an engineer and I suspect my wife could relate to most of your points…especially the one-track-mind. I tell her that’s what allows me to solve things she doesn’t want to take the time for.
Thanks for sharing!
Men are like this in varying degrees, but you may be right about engineers. I don’t know very many.
I’m so glad you’ve got a sense of humor about this list, Esther! I had quite a bit of fun reading through your list! But I have to say, I can relate and my hubby is by no means an engineer! ha! Much of what you’ve mentioned, in my opinion, are simply male traits. And I should know since … I live in a household with one hubby and three other budding sons–soon to be hubbies one day! They all think and act alike in so many ways! I’m glad you’re back in the linkup, my friend! I’ve missed you!
Andrew Budek-Schmeisser, Obsessive compulsive! Yes it should definitely be on the list! 🙂
@Joe, I’m glad it gave you a chuckle. You’re completely right. It does allow for doing all kinds of things in the midst of chaos. Me I just throw my hands up under those conditions!
@Beth & @Southern Angel, Hmm maybe I should change the title… (You may have married a man if…) Nah! 😉
Hahahahaha! That describes my husband to a T!
This so like my husband. And he’s a mechanical engineer!
lol There is just SOMETHING about engineers! 🙂
Worse, I am married to a Seabee!!! However to be fair, they broke the mold when he was made and the best thing to happen to me, is to have this wonderful man back in my life!!
This is so funny and so true. Thanks for giving my husband and I a good laugh.
Aw! 😀 This was hilarious and super sweet 🙂
Thanks so much Katie!
My husband and I are both engineers and I will have to say that some of these apply to both of us. For me specifically 2, 4, 5 and 9. I hate buying things without reading reviews, always get distracted by things while cleaning, and always, always, am running late from being distracted.
lol Thanks so much for your comment. I love when people relate!
Why does the engineer have to be a He? What if it’s a She like me?
I’m not married to an engineer, but my dad was a NASA engineer (well, actually a systems analyst, but same mindset!). The thing that always got me was the total lack of nuance in his thinking, he was very literal about things. It’s one reason he never liked sitcoms – he didn’t think the jokes were funny because his brain just wasn’t wired that way.
After he retired, one of his friends stopped by to bring him a few things that had been left behind in his office. As the friend was leaving, he said “Anything else you need from out there, just let me know, I’ll be happy to bring it by” – and I jokingly said “How about one of those Space Shuttles for the backyard?”
They both looked at me like I was an idiot, and my dad says “A space shuttle wouldn’t fit in our backyard!”
Derp. 😀
Oh my YES! This is so true. They are very literal and with a dry sense of humor. After my husband and I married I was shocked to realize that he didn’t laugh anymore. While he did lots when we were dating, laughter wasn’t really a huge part of his life. I set out to change that, and I’ve succeeded thankfully! 🙂
lol! That’s too funny!
My son and daughter are both studying engineering, and though I’m not an engineer, maybe they got it from me- this lists really describes me!
Did we marry the same person? Love this list! #5 He is very thorough. Asking him to help you clean something 30 minutes before company is to arrive is not recommended. SPOT ON!!!! lol I’m an artist and he is an engineer makes life interesting when we need to go to a home improvement store. 🙂
Yes, this is my engineer to a tee. =)
I’m still trying to figure out my husband mechanical engineer. Reading this gives me great comfort in knowing I’m not the only spouse that scratches her.his head and has to say “what????” more than just occassionally. Both of my degrees are in health/physical education so you can imagine we are polar opposites-he’s actually the fitness buff, my specialty was adaptive p.e. and lifestyle skills. He’s gorgeous but a super geek with a total inability to express emotions (but they are in there!). Reading this “list of facts” and the responses by others is helps. He’s awesome but wow is it challenging to connect on the same wavelength!
It so makes my day when someone “gets” me! Thanks so much for sharing your experiences with me too. Twenty three years married, and we still face communication challenges. lol