You want a fucken medal?

She didn't quite say it like in the title - swearing isn't her thing unless she's super mad - in this case she wasn't mad at all. She was responding to something I'd said, which was rather smug, designed to elicit the maximum amount of praise and, if I'm totally honest...yeah, a medal would have gone down quite nicely. I wasn't about to say so though.

I did some washing the other day, laundry I mean.

It's not uncommon, now and then I've been known to do that onerous task of putting the clothes into the washing thing and pouring in some liquid then pressing a button. Then...the even more shit task of hanging clothes on the line to dry. But, having said that, I'd not go as far as saying I do it very much at all...just in emergency situations and when I'm told to by my girlfriend. (She actually asks, not tells, but it's all the same to me.)

Prior to doing the load I proudly announced I was, "doing the washing," with a suitable pause to welcome the acknowledgement and accolades that should be mine to enjoy. None came, just an, "okay then."

What the fuck.

After I did the load of washing I announced I was going to hang out the clothes with another pause to accept the accolades that would surely this time come. None came; I got a pretty disinterested, "sure," from my girl who was sitting on the couch.

What the fuck.

Later, I brought the dry clothing in and put them away, all mostly my stuff, and once more announced my magnificence and...nothing.

I'm pretty good at doing the laundry. Shirts are hung on hangers, socks are straightened out so they fold more easily, I even group items like underwear, socks, shirts, shorts, jeans and all making them less jumbled when they go back into the basket. I know right? Magnificent. I fold them as I bring them in too so putting them away is easier and...well, I'm good at it. I don't even mind doing it.

Of course, I'm joking about the medal thing, I think household chores should be shared and balanced appropriately and in my household that's exactly what we do. It helps us keep an immaculate household and to minimise the effort required to do so. What about you?

Do you need or want a medal for things you should probably be doing anyway? I know society is all about self-reward and self-importance these days; but is it valid to expect reward or praise simply for doing something that a person should be doing anyway? Comment below if you like.