1.10.2008

New Designation

Hello, my name is Diane and I am a…

Hausfrau.

Yes, it’s true. I learned this in my German class. When asked what my occupation, I should answer Hausfrau.

Why does this bother me? Why do I feel like I need to apologize or explain that only a couple months ago I had a career, earned a salary, and only left because I would follow mein Mann anywhere?

Why do I feel so diminished?

And while we’re at it, do you think I should change my profile page to read the following?

Name: Diane Mandy
Occupation: Hausfrau

15 comments:

Me said...

I always HATED that word. But really....in German you should never EVER introduce yourself as Hausfrau....honestly...introduce yourself as Diane Mandy and whatever your job is "writer, designer, singer...blabla....whatever it is you do."

Hausfrau is what we associate with those older ladies who were funny vests and sweep their sidewalk all day. Labeling , not good.

Hall, Ich bin Diane Mandy und ich bin FABELHAFT.

There you have it.

Now I have to get back to inventing another pregnancy.

Jamy said...

I'm sorry, but that cracks me up. Really, who in the world is less hausfrau-ish than you, Diane? Embrace it, love it, laugh at it.

It's got nothing to do with YOU...please remember that!

Bluepaintred said...

Why does this bother me? Why do I feel like I need to apologize or explain that only a couple months ago I had a career, earned a salary, and only left because I would follow mein Mann anywhere?

Do you feel diminished when you refer to yourself as one, alone, to yourself, or just when you are talking to people? Being a house wife is not for everyone, I myself cannot fathom how people get up, get dresses (145pm and i am still in my jammies) and head out the door so early int he morning.

Maybe there is something you can do, I'm not sure how work visas work, but can you get a job in Germany? Maybe you can sit down and write a book about this whole experience, I'd read it!

Suvii said...

Yah, I agree... you are so not a hausfrau! I still think you should write full time and try your hand at a book, perhaps?

Tiffany Fairbanks said...

That doesn't fit. hmmmm. We need to think of something more suited to you.

Sarah said...

Hausfrau-- For some reason, this makes me think of that scene from Young Frankenstein when Frau Blücher introduces herself and the horse whinnies.

At the end of your post, I totally heard the horse whinny!

kenju said...

Diane, just tell them you are a writer, and you're working on the great American novel/blog....LOL

brandy said...

Ha! That just reminds me of really old ladies with whiskers and plastic covers on their furniture. On the plus side, it would be a great scrabble word.

Anonymous said...

Yes that's funny! It sounds so so German! Do you see pics of Boris Becker everywhere by chance?

M said...

oh Diane, girls are in such a shizenhousen position when it comes to perception of roles. If you're a housewife then you're not pulling your weight in terms of money, if you're a working gal you're not taking enough care of your home/husband/children. Both are bullshit btw. I say never introduce what you do unless someone asks specifically and instead refer to yourself as a domestic goddess, thank you very much!

ms chica said...

My profile says I'm a slacker, because it diminished my ego less than saying I was a housewife....though occasionally I just say retired. I've been home two years and I still can't come to terms with the title, but I am so digging the benefits.

Cheryl said...

I think your profile should read...occupation: being fabulous. Then it's always true, right? hmmm i've given myself an idea.

Randi said...

I dream of being a Hausfrau. It means I get to Eat Bon-Bons all day, right?!! I love Bon-Bons!

BTW, I think that you will still be able to catch Lost. I am pretty sure you can access it via the internet, so you can be All Caught Up!

Your House is Totally Cute, BTW. Eh, I mean Haus.

Anonymous said...

I think you should change your profile so it says:

Hausfrau by day, Vixen by night. . .

Cowgirl Warrior said...

Hausfrau direct translation in to English is house wife. I only know you through this blog and I wouldn't say you were a house wife. My cousins who stay home (who all live in Germany) don't call themselves "Hausfrau", they would describe their career as whatevery they did before or are going back to.
Decide what you want to be and I'll be happy to translate it for you. I speak German.