There is really no debate, to my mind at least. It just seems that everyone else, from the builder to the designer to the husband to my sister to the neighbour down the road, seems to have a strong opinion that neither man (nor woman) can live without a dishwasher. The following is a list of reasons why I do not want or even need a dishwasher. I actually have at least another ten, but for the sake of brevity, or in case I have to repeat this, I will start with my top ten.

Reason #10: I have just spent what Jordan says could finance a small country on this perfect, cast-iron farm sink with a built-in drain board and an equally beautiful tap set. After obsessing over it and waiting four months for it to be manufactured, apparently by hand in some wee village in the wilds of the U.S.A., I now have it safely here on the island. There is no way that it will play second fiddle to some modern appliance.

Reason#9: I actually find that washing dishes by hand keeps my fingernails smooth and white. It is one of the only ways I know to really get out the dirt left from gardening.

Reason#8: I collect antique dishes, and most of these should never go into a dishwasher because of their gold trim. Even my new Wedgwood has a silver border that should not go into a dishwasher. Dishwashers can also be tough on your crystal and silver. Even with our dishwasher at home, I generally find myself washing at least half of the dishes after a big family gathering, by hand.

Reason #7: I am always cold, especially on Gabriola when it is rainy and damp. Nothing, short of a hot bath, warms me up as much as a sink full of hot, soapy water, and it doesn’t use nearly as much water.

Reason #6: In the drier season, I keep a dishpan in the sink and re-use the water. Then it goes out into the garden to water plants.

Reason #5: With all of the modern conveniences, it is often hard to find simple chores for young children. Dishwashing makes good work for idle hands. One of the most frustrating moments for me is arriving home after a hectic day to find the sink full of dirty dishes and the dishwasher clean but un-emptied, a clear case of “it’s not my dishwasher day!” Modern conveniences are only great when they actually help make your day run smoother.

Reason #4: I am a tea towel junky. Whenever I see beautiful dish clothes and towels, I can’t resist, and I have a huge collection of colourful tea towels, many still in the original packages. Sometimes they get used to line baskets, or for hand towels, or I give them away as gifts (which breaks my heart) and they sometimes even get used to wrap other gifts. I really need to start using them more often for what they were intended, or people will start noticing this fetish.

Reason #3: After dinner, doing the dishes becomes a group activity, whether with the family or a group of girl friends. It’s a great place to have a chat with a child or parent. What better time to quietly pull someone aside without seeming to be lecturing, and have a casual “talk.” Over the clatter of dishes, many a private conversation was held in our home when I was growing up. As a teen, it always seemed to be the best time to broach delicate subjects with my Mom; like my plans to hitchhike across Canada with my boyfriend!

Reason #2: In my new “glass house”, I will have a perfect window installed over my perfect sink, which looks out onto the road. What better way to be a regular Gladys Kravitz, without getting caught!

Reason #1: My mother still surprises me. For years, the family tried to give her a machine for Mother’s Day or her birthday, but she always adamantly declined. She finally told me (over dishes) why that was. She said that for all of those busy years of raising four children and taking care of my Dad, the only time she ever had to herself was doing dishes. It was always her time for quiet reflection at the end of a hectic day. It was only while she was obviously busy doing chores that we would leave her alone and stop begging her to do this or that for us. A hint to my family: if you want to ask me something, you’d better help with the dishes. But you don’t need to; I really do enjoy doing them by myself.