Things my girlfriend and I have argued about
An early-2000s humor site cataloging a couple’s petty arguments prompts nostalgia for the “old web” and mixed reactions to its portrayal of relationships—some see affectionate, tongue‑in‑cheek bickering, while others read it as unhealthy or even abusive. Commenters use it as a springboard to compare their own relationship dynamics, debate whether frequent arguments are normal or desirable, and share strategies for healthier communication. The thread also briefly touches on technical concerns such as the security risks of serving such legacy sites over plain HTTP instead of HTTPS.
Overall reaction to the site
- Many find it funny, charming, and a classic of the “old web”; others find it painful, petty, or “coping.”
- Several emphasize that it’s obviously tongue‑in‑cheek exaggeration rather than literal documentation of constant fights.
- Some readers say the length and density are impressive and feel beyond typical AI‑generated text.
Old web nostalgia & design
- Strong nostalgia for simple, personal, non‑monetized sites.
- Multiple commenters say minimalist, “ugly” early‑web pages feel calmer and less addictive than modern, dopamine‑driven UX.
- The page is cited as an example of “Someone’s Funny Website” era; other old humor lists are linked as peers.
Is the relationship cute or toxic?
- One camp reads it as playful bickering: trivial disagreements turned into humorous, self‑deprecating writing that implies underlying affection.
- Another camp finds it disturbing: sees the described partner as controlling, contrarian, insecure, or even abusive; worries it normalizes unhealthy dynamics.
- Some note ambiguity: unclear whether the partner is fully “in on it,” whether it’s exaggerated fiction, or an actual public complaint log.
Personal experiences with arguing in relationships
- Several share that frequent, intense arguing left them drained; later found calmer relationships possible and preferable.
- Others report long, happy relationships that still involve regular bickering—but emphasize respect, repair, and seeing small arguments as teasing, not resentment.
- Communication skills (assertiveness, separating emotions from facts, therapy, journaling, meditation) are frequently mentioned as ways to reduce harmful conflict.
- A recurring theme: arguments over “small things” are often proxies for deeper insecurity, values, or unmet needs.
Cultural and trivial argument topics
- Discussion of regional meanings of “tea” (evening meal vs drink), pronunciations of “Jonathan,” and UK vs US differences.
- Lengthy side‑thread on the “correct” way to cut or eat kiwifruit, and on “proper” KitKat eating etiquette.
- Talk about women’s clothing lacking pockets and the social dynamics of one partner carrying the other’s items.
- Brief debate on European norms around nudity and photo‑sharing, with some saying it’s less shocking in parts of Europe.
HTTP vs HTTPS tangent
- One side warns that serving the site over HTTP allows trivial man‑in‑the‑middle attacks and JS injection; argues HTTPS is free and easy and should be standard.
- Others downplay the practical risk for a static humor page, arguing that serious exploitation is harder and that probability, not just possibility, matters.
Miscellaneous
- References to a related novel and old mailing list by the creator.
- Some joke that such a catalog of grievances could be future evidence in divorce or criminal trials.