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Home / Lifestyle

The great peg debate: Couple divide internet over clothes line quandary

By Hannah Paine
news.com.au·
5 Oct, 2019 01:12 AM4 mins to read

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A couple were so split over the simple task of hanging out washing they took their grievance to social media for help - and got a very interesting response. Photo / 123RF

A couple were so split over the simple task of hanging out washing they took their grievance to social media for help - and got a very interesting response. Photo / 123RF

It's a subject that has divided humankind (maybe) since the dawn of time — do you or don't you leave your clothes pegs out on the clothes line?

This simple issue is surprisingly polarising, as one Sydney couple discovered this week.

Bruno Bouchet — the man behind those chocolate and ice-cream bar rankings — took to Instagram to reveal he and his wife Laura were at loggerheads over the issue.

"I'm a big 'pegs on' guy because they're right at your fingertips when you go to hang clothes, but Laura thinks they get in the way. Keen to know who's right and who's wrong," he said.

View this post on Instagram

Big stand-off between @laurambouchet and me … do you keep the pegs on or take them off between ‘hangings’? I’m a big ‘pegs on’ guy because they’re right at your fingertips when you go to hang clothes, but Laura thinks they get in the way. Keen to know who’s right and who’s wrong.

A post shared by Bruno Bouchet (@brunobbouchet) on Sep 29, 2019 at 8:49pm PDT

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Mrs Bouchet was quick to justify her stance in the comments section, writing that leaving the pegs on is "an eyesore".

"YOU @brunobbouchet jam the pegs so far onto the line that merely 'sliding' the pegs across to make room for the clothes is impossible, I have to remove the pegs completely and juggle them in my hands OR shove them in my pocket — and every woman knows they don't make pants for us with deep enough pockets," she continued.

Laura and Bruno Bouchet were at loggerheads over the issue. Photo / Instagram
Laura and Bruno Bouchet were at loggerheads over the issue. Photo / Instagram

"You can make some flawed calculations about the time taken to remove pegs etc and its great that you've got time to do that while I go and bring in the washing the CORRECT WAY ie #pegsoff."

Personally, I'm on team leave pegs on the clothesline — it's more convenient, you don't have to have extra storage for them and IT JUST MAKES SENSE.

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But apparently, not a lot of people feel the same (or as strongly) as I do, writing in the comments that any other way than pegs off was insanity and "lazy".

"Pegs off, I agree with Laura," one commented, while another added: "Definitely OFF."

Many justified their reasoning by arguing that removing the pegs meant they lasted longer.

"A primary issue is that sun exposure breaks down the structural integrity of the peg and they become brittle and snap," a commenter explained.

"The best solution is to not leave pegs exposed unnecessarily to the elements. Such would arguably be the best reason to remove the pegs and take them inside with the washing."

Another added: "Pegs left on the line perish much quicker; so first it's a pain when they break in yr fingers. Secondly, it's fine when they're at yr fingetips for hanging small items like sox, but it's a real nuisance if one wishes to toss a larger item over the line. So suggest to relocate pegs to SIDE of line if u must leave em on."

Fortunately, there were a few in the pegs-on corner, point out that it was the natural (thank you!) thing to do.

"It's a given that the pegs must stay on for convenience. Work smart, not hard!!!" one person wrote.

"Pegs ON Bruno — life is too busy to take them on and off every time — who could be bothered really!!" another added.

"If you have common sense then pegs on," one person said.

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Meanwhile, there were also some that just like to watch the world burn.

"I'm a big fan off just yanking the clothes off, causing the pegs to fly off across the yard and then leaving them for someone else to deal with," a commenter said.

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