The "I guess there are no social workers/ police /SOCO in your circle of very sucessful middle class friends. " was posted by me and meant for Cricketman.

I find it shocking that someone (you CM) writes that you are in the top 5% income bracket of both Spain and UK and doesnt have a cleaner.

No my wife doesnt like them, always complains they are no good

When we lived in London the subject of cleaners came up. I was sat with my football team which had an average age of 26 at the time, and I was the only one who didnt have a cleaner. I find them pointless in London when most people have such a small flat, but still each to their own!

Having a cleaner is one of the main aspirations for spanish families. Comes after the TV and car. It is a way of showing the neighbours they are doing well. It is the same in most South American countries too.

By OH was brought up with a live-in nanny/cleaner, a "chica" who lived in the spare room. I think she was uncomfortable with this at the time which contributes to her aversion to it now.

Cant stop laughing at the rubbish you write.

What man on such an income would allow his wife to do the chores? He would be held to ridicule as a mean person and she to be derided as a skivvy.

Quite a few, it was once said that Rosalia Mera did her own cleaning and looked after her children herself, while her hubby attended to his little business.

Just like in the UK it depends on the family. What tends to be more important for a lot of families is having the summer retreat in either the mountains or on the beach. I think the obsession with expensive brand clothing is more prevalent as a way of impressing the neighbours. In the UK I know well-to-do people who insist on having a cleaner and/or nanny; others rely on dishwashers/the Dyson etc and do it themselves.

What do you think he dose all day between posting here, dusting and ironing of course

I thought that a true partnership meant that the husband would allow her to have the choice? Or should he tell her that this is what she must do?

Some of our Spanish friends laugh at the fact that I do the cooking. Am I supposed to care?

I do the cooking in our house as I like tasty food

Rosemary the quotes went diddly because you edited a quote and cut off the end of quote tags [ /QUOTE]
Always leave the start and end tags or it will happen every time.

Exactly. A partnership should be based on a fair division of work, and what those people want, not some distorted view that someone else might have.

I can understand that some people want all the status symbols possible, but at the end of the day, I suspect that such people are less than happy, and to conclude, whoever dies with the most toys is still as dead as any pauper.

what a crock, do you seriously think anyone will believe that.

Are you for real, no wonder -goaty and -Cman are gobsmacked as well, you realy are an oddity and live up to your name.