My sister-in-law is half Italian. She was born and grew up in Dublin and aside from looking a bit exotic and dressing beautifully she seems entirely local. The other night over dinner we fell to discussing clothes. I asked her whether she ironed her jeans. She does. And she seemed genuinely appalled that there are people who don’t. Gentle reader, do you iron your jeans?
Um, no. Definitely not. But i do have one friend who does, and *i * was appalled when she told me her secret. My philosophy is, if you really can’t tell that the item has been ironed, do not do it! That’s just too much effortfor the result.
I admit I do. Easier to put them on a hanger in the wardrobe. And also to kill random insects that might have found refuge inside when they were drying on a rope in the garden.
Don’t know if you remember me. I am Peggy from Jim & Peggy from Belgium. No more blog for me but I remain a fervent reader of yours.
Just finished smoothing five pairs for family. Hate wearing jeans that haven’t been smoothed.
Ah Kara, maybe it’s how they are ironed…
Peggy, of course I remember you. Belgium is almost Italy. Very exotic. No wonder you iron.
Hmm. Smoothing. Not sure where that fits on the spectrum.
I don’t iron anything so I’m probably not the one to ask. In fact, I’m gradually eliminating most housework from my life…
… I am curious, however, about how the topic came up.
One smoothes with a smoothing iron. There is a a song “Dashing away with a smoothing iron” which I shall google presently.
Simple answer: I don’t iron anything. If it has to be ironed, (or dry cleaned, or hand washed), I don’t buy it. I’m strictly a wash-and-wear girl.
Not me!
No. I think they are better ironed, but…no. No time. Better things to do in the evening, such as load the dishwasher, more work, and sleep.
yes I do but if I had three children and a full-time job then I would be unlikely to iron anything ever again.
I don’t usually iron jeans but sometimes they look particularly creased and crumpled and need a bit of ironing.
An Italian friend who has been living here for the past 20 years says one of things she liked about Ireland was the escape from the oppressively high Italian standards of turning yourself out/pressing absolutely everything etc.
A friend of mine from Gaoth Dóbhair always refers to ironing (when speaking Irish) as “smootháil” which apparently is the standard verb in the spoken language up there. I find this pleasing.
Ah, “running away with the smoothing iron she stole my heart away” – I knew the song, I just never knew what it was.
Impressive diversity of opinion here. I like Eimear who has gone for the compromise approach. Clearly, a career in diplomacy beckons.
As to how it came up, D, I think I was saying how spruce Italians look and she said it was because they really cared and made an effort and I said that they must be the only nation on earth who iron their jeans (now comprehensively disproved by comments). Forgive my mangled syntax but you know what I’m getting at.