Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2017 August 30

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August 30

Why are people "houseproud"?

What are the psychological factors behind housepride?

I am not voicing disapproval, but I simply don't empathise.--Leon (talk) 12:39, 30 August 2017 (UTC)

Your question seems to imply that your definition of houseproud refers to people who have an obsessive compulsive need to constantly tend to the appearance of their home. That is not what it means. That is taking the definition to an extreme and then applying it to everyone who takes time to mow their lawn once in a while. 209.149.113.5 (talk) 13:05, 30 August 2017 (UTC)

Seems to be a UK English word meaning: "attentive to, or preoccupied with, the care and appearance of one's home". Let's see, one reason could be to attract mates, akin to bower birds. In humans that could include attracting better mates for your children (if your house is a mess, some parents may not allow their kids to visit). More generally, impressing others with your wealth can improve social status and make for opportunities, such as jobs, political office, or joining clubs which lead to jobs or political offices. There may also be legal requirements, from local ordinances and homeowners associations. For example, keeping the lawn mowed may be required.

Some people also just have an innate need to be orderly. (Give small children 2 colors of marbles and some will feel the need to separate them, while others do not.) StuRat (talk) 16:30, 30 August 2017 (UTC)

Some people don't really care what others think, and simply prefer to live someplace nice rather than a dump. 2606:A000:4C0C:E200:DD4C:BCA6:CE45:3A6F (talk) 19:42, 30 August 2017 (UTC)

Zoning laws can figure into it too. If you're in breach of zoning laws (for example, by having junk piled in your yard), you might be subject to fines. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 20:56, 30 August 2017 (UTC)

Have you ever dropped in to see a friend unannounced, and they apologise for the state of the house? You might not think there's anything to apologise for, as it's neater and cleaner than your place; or even if it isn't, you know they weren't forewarned, so no drama. But they hate ever being seen to be less than a perfect house keeper. It's irrational, in the sense that we all cook and eat, and things get messy and dusty, and there are often times when less than perfection prevails, and most of us don't have a servant or housekeeper to do these tasks, and we lead busy lives and sometimes other things take priority, but we get around to the cleaning and tidying eventually, and in the meantime .... Nobody is immune from this, but some people like to present a perfectly clean and tidy house 24/7, because one never knows when there'll be a knock on the door. There may be a fear of judgment at base of it. -- Jack of Oz ^{[pleasantries]} 22:41, 30 August 2017 (UTC)

• OR My mother used to hang an embroidered declaration that "My House is Clean Enough to be Healthy and Messy Enough to be Happy". She threw it out during a housecleaning. μηδείς (talk) 21:20, 1 September 2017 (UTC)

I love the irony. -- Jack of Oz ^{[pleasantries]} 23:08, 1 September 2017 (UTC)

Now, if only you also loved ironing, I'd send you my whites, as we used to do to China in the 1800's. μηδείς (talk) 00:48, 3 September 2017 (UTC)

You have a very good memory, for your advanced age. Does Guinness know about you? Time for your nap now. -- Jack of Oz ^{[pleasantries]} 17:48, 3 September 2017 (UTC)

Wong Brothers Chinese Laundry: "Two Wongs make it white !" StuRat (talk) 19:35, 3 September 2017 (UTC)