Do you read your owner's manuals?

[kenny]

I'm a reader.
It drives my SO crazy.

He'll often ask me now XYZ works, so I open the manual to that page and hand it to him.
Pisses him off.

 

[Dee*Jay]

I don't know if this counts as "reading" it, but if I'm trouble shooting (e.g., why isn't my Hoover sucking?) I'll go through it hoping to find an answer, or if something's brand new and I can't figure it how it works (e.g., how do I JUST TURN ON this damn fancy dancy new washer with buttons and knobs that look like the control panel from the Starship Enterprise)... no. In my book that translated to "rarely" in the poll.

Guess that makes my motto: If it ain't broke, don't read it!

 

[Jennifer W]

I always mean to, I always try to, but I'm dyslexic and dyscalculic. It doesn't always help. Also, they often seem to have been translated into English via around 17 other languages, so they can be....hard to follow.

DH reads them from cover to cover, then points out what I'm doing wrong. I admit it does annoy me a tiny bit sometimes...

 

[yssie]

Not if I can help it.

The fact that my earphones came with a manual and the fact that I actually needed it to assemble the darn things... didn't anyone anywhere down the assembly line stop for a second and think "huh, there's something wrong with this picture"?

 

[amc80]

Never. Drives DH crazy.

 

[Enerchi]

I said sometimes. If its something I know how to operate (car!) then I'm good to go. If its something new to me, no idea how to get the damn thing to do whatever it is its supposed to be doing (read - anything kitchen oriented...) then I will "sometimes" read it. The other half of my "sometimes" is - get mad, get frustrated, put it in the cupboard, ignore, walk away!

 

[vc10um]

DH reads every last word in every last manual.

I always read the "quick start" type guides that come with the device, and then use the full manuals for reference and troubleshooting.

 

[zoebartlett]

I think I probably read them more often than my husband does, but I usually fiddle with the gadget, machine, or appliance until I figure out the basics. Recently, I did read the owner's manual for our new crock pot cover to cover though. I had no idea there was so much to do before using it the first time.

 

[MissGotRocks]

I may leaf through them when I first get something and then again if it's not working or I need to order a replacement part. Qualifies me for sometimes I think - otherwise, it's just boring!

 

[Dancing Fire]

nope,unless i have to...

 

[Roxy]

Yep, always, cover to cover. But I also read anything and everything else that I come across as well.

I didn't realize I had this ... "habit" ... until DH pointed it out to me when were first married. He thinks it's hilarious and gets a kick out of it when I can recite some obscure bit of trivia that I learned while reading the back of a can of some cleaning agent that I came across a few months ago. I know, weird ...

 

[yennyfire]

I do but only when forced to do so (i.e. can't get the dang thing to work).....

 

[JewelFreak]

When I needed the manual to set up my toothbrush I realized how far out the world is. With new electronics I check through it. For anything that stops working, always -- have been amazed at the stuff you can fix yourself if you just read what they say.

 

[woofmama]

Quick start guide for me. DH reads them cover to cover. I only open the guide to troubleshoot.

 

[04diamond<3]

I'm a reader.
It drives my SO crazy.

He'll often ask me now XYZ works, so I open the manual to that page and hand it to him.
Pisses him off.

Me no. I'm more I'll learn how to do it the first time then it sticks...common sense is my BF. DH, however, is exactly like you and it ticks me off...I think it's a most guys thing.

 

[justginger]

I always do. No matter what the thing is, it is the first thing I do. Air conditioner? Read the manual. Washing machine? Read the manual. Cell phone? Read the manual. For me it's part of the process and excitement of getting a new object.

 

[kenny]

I'm a reader.
It drives my SO crazy.

He'll often ask me now XYZ works, so I open the manual to that page and hand it to him.
Pisses him off.

Me no. I'm more I'll learn how to do it the first time then it sticks...common sense is my BF. DH, however, is exactly like you and it ticks me off...I think it's a most guys thing.

Being mostly a guy thing is a very very interesting suggestion.
Sure, there are plenty of men who never read them and women who always do, but as a group each gender may in fact be different.
We know that the brains of men and women are not identical.

I'm glad we live in a culture that strives for equality in all things, except who gets preggers , but the hardwired differences between men and women fascinates me.

Is it not well established that , as a group, men are more likely to be good with directions?
Or is that an unfair stereotype I hold.
Again exceptions to a generalization do not make the generalization disappear.

 

[marcy]

I usually glance through them and read what gets my attention. DH would sooner ask for directions (which he won't) than read the manual. He hates when I figure out something he can't because I read the manual.

 

[JewelFreak]

Here's an example, Kenny! I'm proud of myself. My washing machine has banged away in the spin cycle for a few weeks. I JUST FIXED IT, all by myself, with the aid of the manual. Saved myself a bunch of bucks. Have to tell you, it never occurred to DH to look in the booklet. I think your generalization was born in the I Love Lucy days.

--- Laurie

 

[iLander]

I don't know if this counts as "reading" it, but if I'm trouble shooting (e.g., why isn't my Hoover sucking?) I'll go through it hoping to find an answer, or if something's brand new and I can't figure it how it works (e.g., how do I JUST TURN ON this damn fancy dancy new washer with buttons and knobs that look like the control panel from the Starship Enterprise)... no. In my book that translated to "rarely" in the poll.

Guess that makes my motto: If it ain't broke, don't read it!

LOL!

Just like me and my DH. Neither of us read them, except for big stuff like cars. I hate when the "what's this button do?" question comes up, so I read car manuals. Beyond that, it better be plug-n-play.