Oh, Honey: Do men really know what women want?

Jim Ledbetter holds his whiteboard as his wife, Katie Larue, circles the part of his answer that she agrees with after answering questions on their boards "Newlywed Game" style Wednesday, May 1, 2019 at the Chattanooga Times Free Press in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Ledbetter and Larue have been married for two years and have known each other for 22 years.
Jim Ledbetter holds his whiteboard as his wife, Katie Larue, circles the part of his answer that she agrees with after answering questions on their boards "Newlywed Game" style Wednesday, May 1, 2019 at the Chattanooga Times Free Press in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Ledbetter and Larue have been married for two years and have known each other for 22 years.

Sure, you may think you can pull off that goatee, or that your dinner guests are actually amused by your dad jokes, but there's a reason they say wifey knows best.

To prove our point, we pit some local couples against each other in the style of the 1980s hit television series "The Newlywed Game."

Hopefully, they'll convince you to consult your better half before inciting an "oh, honey" moment of your own.

photo Leda and Mace Phillips show the answers they wrote down on whiteboards "Newlywed Game" style at the Chattanooga Times Free Press Friday, May 10, 2019 in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Mace and Leda Phillips

Together for 7 years, married for 2 1/2 months

1. Why would you say your wife picked you?

2. What would your wife say is your best characteristic?

3. What three words would your wife use to describe you?

4. What would your wife say she wants you to do when she's upset?

5. What was the last argument you guys had?

6. Would you say that your husband prefers your face to be painted or would he rather look at it in its natural state?

Leda's answers:

1. Sense of humor.

2. Sense of humor.

3. Messy, funny, socially awkward.

4. Feed me.

5. Him making a mess.

6. Natural, no makeup.

Mace's answers:

1. My profession and charming wit.

2. My go-with-the-flow ability. Or my ability to reach things.

3. Tall, dark and handsome.

4. Be affectionate.

5. Going to bed on time.

6. Natural.

photo Jim Ledbetter holds his whiteboard as his wife, Katie Larue, circles the part of his answer that she agrees with after answering questions on their boards "Newlywed Game" style Wednesday, May 1, 2019 at the Chattanooga Times Free Press in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Ledbetter and Larue have been married for two years and have known each other for 22 years.

Jim Ledbetter and Katie Larue

Together for 22 years, married for 2 years

1. What is one thing that drives your spouse bonkers?

2. When it comes to doing household chores, would you say that you do most of them, he does most of them, or do you share an equal amount?

3. If your spouse gave you a hall pass, what would he/she say you would use it for?

4. My spouse is good at _____, but ______, not so much.

5. What is your spouse's idea of an ideal date?

6. What would your spouse say is the best way to show them you love them?

Katie's answers:

1. Nothing drives Jim bonkers. In our 22 years together, I could have used the word "bonkers" once - maybe - to describe a reaction to something I said that bothered him. He was tired that morning and the "bonkers" episode was no more than a three-minute low-key rant. Does that even count? It happened before we were married. (We didn't tie the knot until 2017 so technically that qualifies us as newlyweds.) Jim is the very definition of calm and deliberate in all his thoughts, words and actions. I, on the other hand, grew up in a large, boisterous and bossy household in South Louisiana. I know how to do "bonkers," so his answer to this question will be more interesting. To conclude: Jim is "bothered" and will say so if I eat dessert first.

2. Define the word "chores." I do the mopping, vacuuming, dusting, disinfecting, straightening-up and laundry; except for "special handling" laundry, because Jim is a fabrics and cleaning expert (the man even sews). We share the cooking and dishes. If "chores" means building, repairing, decorating, designing, gardening, landscaping, those are Jim's department. Jim can work harder, longer and faster than anyone I have ever met - by a long shot - so I'd have to say he does more than me.

3. He'd say that Katie would hire somebody to haul away all the building materials and stuff "that will come in handy someday" that lives in our garage and boat shed.

4. My spouse is good at shopping, but computers, not so much.

5. It wouldn't involve dressing up and a fancy meal. There would be helmets, boats, PFDs, water (flat or moving), and dehydrated food. Sitting together by a river or on a quiet lake. Or a music festival. Definitely outside somewhere.

6. To treat him with kindness and respect.

Jim's answers:

1. Undoubtedly, the thing that drives my wife bonkers is clutter, anywhere. I try, but I just can't keep up.

2. She handles most, but not all, of the routine stuff around the kitchen and bathroom. We are pretty equal in the laundry and living space, while I do most of the workshop and yard care. I don't feel like any of the chores are totally one-sided.

3. In regards to my wife giving me a "hall pass," the question caught me off guard. We hold very loose reins and allow the other to pick and choose their own activities a lot more than other couples, I suppose. We love spending time together, but fully understand that the other has activities and interests that they enjoy separate from their spouse. Trust and understanding are qualities that we enjoy equally.

4. My wife is good at communicating with others, but listening to me, not so much. In her defense, I must say I don't always speak loudly or directly enough, but I am often caught off guard when there is a total misunderstanding about something we have discussed.

5. My wife and I love whitewater paddling and camping together. I believe she would think the ideal date would involve both of those things.

6. I believe that my wife cherishes the way I value her opinions and decisions. Love is caring how the other person feels and honoring those feelings and giving those feelings as much weight as you would your own. There is no better way to show your love than to treat someone as you would want them to treat you.

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