"Your Husband"

I don't understand why people refer to other people's spouses as "your husband" or "your wife". It has an emphasis that doesn't need to be there, and honestly doesn't make a lot of sense. I understand the need for possessive nouns because if we didn't have them we would all go around shouting husband or wife and thousands of confused heads would pop up.

What gets me though, is when people know the name of your husband or wife, and still say that anyway. It's always stuck in my brain, and I'm beginning to believe it's driving me a bit nuts. For example, if we're with our friends they're talking about someone's actions, I'll naturally ask who, since I haven't been paying attention because there was a shiny piece of metal on the ground. Instead of replying, "Ben", they'll reply, "your husband." It really drives me nuts.

I am guilty of doing this to other people, but at least I admit it. My reasons are simply I don't remember anyone's name so it makes sense to address people as "your wife." I'd rather give a generic statement than risk offending someone because I don't remember their wive's name.

I just don't understand the logic of calling them a "your spouse" when you know their name! I don't call you "The Blonde Duck's goofy friend" around people, so why would you address me as "your wife"? I really can't comprehend when people do that while I'm standing three feet from them and Ben. It's like they're simply going through a list of roles in their head.

"Ok," they think to themselves. "I've already called her the Blonde Duck. Check. I've just called her "your wife". Check. I suppose next it's "the blonde thing hopping about in the corner and whining for cheesecake."

I think what really drives me nuts about this utter laziness is simply that it's dumb. If we all went around describing ourselves all the time, it would be a lot more entertaining if we were more creative about it. For imagine, can you introduce a teacher introducing themselves as, "I am Teacher duck, otherwise known as 'your wife', 'mom' , 'paranoid neighbor', 'cookie fiend', ice cream addicted' and 'drowning in debt crazed woman.' I will be your teacher."

If we all gave introductions like that, we'd probably run away from each other as fast as we could. The world would have a shortage of normal, boring people. It would be a lot more interesting sure- and at least we wouldn't be "your wife".