JFF: High or Low Maintenance?

Did you ever see When Harry Met Sally?

He says "You're the worst kind -- High maintenance that THINKS she's low maintenance!"

That's me.

Well, considering I have "home" yoga pants and "going out" yoga pants, I'm gonna go with low maintenance :o)

Low maintenance. I'd rather sleep later than get up early to fix my hair and makeup. (and it shows!)

I'm low maintenance physically. - I dye my own hair, get ready in 10 mintues, don't spend much on myself.
I'm high maintenance emotionally - quick to get my feelings hurt, hold a grudge, have to be coaxed back into a good mood and back into bed.

I'm sure my husband would whole heartedly agree and request that I flip those 2. He would much rather I be prissy than pissy! oh look, I made a rhyme.

Denise P., that is exactly what I thought about when I read this post--When Harry Met Sally is such a great movie!

My answer is similar to Tracy K.: physically I am very low-maintenance, but emotionally I am high-maintenance. I never wear makeup, I never do anything with my hair (I wash it, brush it, and put it in a ponytail every day), I wear glasses because I'm too lazy to put in contacts, I have three pairs of shoes, and I rarely ever buy clothes for myself because I HATE shopping (unless I'm at a bookstore, then I can spend hours there). But I am way too emotional--I get moody, cranky, my feelings get hurt too easily, and I depend way too much on my husband to "make me feel better" if I'm having a bad day emotionally. I'm working on trying to be more emotionally independent (if that makes sense) so that I'm not such a crazy person all the time. :-)

I think I'm low maintenance and my husband thinks I'm high maintenance. I think I'm low maintenance because I'm not interested in being a glamour girl, (but I do want to look nice when I go out), I rarely put my needs first (but I have a couple of things that are important to me), I don't spend a lot of money on myself or the house and am always looking for a bargain, I don't rile easily and let go of a ton of little stuff (but if it's really important, I can put the Grrr in grudge!). My husband thinks I'm high maintenance because...hmmm, I guess because he's high maintenance and isn't the best at expending any effort towards his relationships with me, his kids, his friends, his siblings. Don't get me wrong, he's a charming guy, but everybody has to come to him (and amazingly, they do). Which brings us to my definition of low or high maintenance which to me is how much effort do you have to expend to be in a relationship or friendship with the person.

LOOOOOOW maintenance. It takes very little to make/keep me happy. I don't need expensive anything. If it's cheap and it works, well alrighty then! Like you, I rarely wear makeup. Will I? Absolutely. But I need a damn good reason to get all dolled up. Ditto for hair... 99% of the time, it's either down (one those special days I actually get to wash it) or up in a ponytail; usually the latter. I hate shopping and trying on clothes. I live in jeans, tshirts, and flip flops. I am a female McGuyver... if I pack light and forget something, I'll make it up. I don't have to run to the store for toilet paper or tissues if I'm stranded somewhere with no bathroom. I'm super laid back and relaxed for the most part... not a very intense person. Definately low maintenance!

I do have a girlfriend that I've been besties with since middle school who's high maintenance. She cracks me up. She won't leave the house without armfuls of jewelry, makeup, and high heels. There's been time when I'd go to pick her up to go out and literally have to carry her and her 'maintenance bag' of make up out the door, or we'd end up leaving by the time the bars closed. I love her, but I could NOT live like that!!

Fun post :)

With kids and working 60+ hours a week I have to be low maintenance. I get to wear jeans and a T to work every day so if I get make-up on in the morning that is a plus. :)

I am low maintenance but not necessarily by choice. In the warmer weather, I teacher personal fitness, mostly outdoors or in a warm gym. Makeup isn't an option nor is perfectly coiffed hair. You'd think my wardrobe was sponsored by Adidas and Asics! I haven't worn any other type of shoe to work than athletic footwear for over ten years. Sure, it saves money but I feel like a hobo!

My baby sister told me I was going to have my "girl card" taken away if I didn't stop reacting to power tools the way most women react to shoes and purses LOL So yeah ...very low maintenance. Although if you had asked my hubby during the last 2 months he'd have said HIGH ... but that's cause I was laid up with a broken ankle and he had to wait on me LOL

I am very LM , I only wear make up like maybe once a week, hair in pony tail or half up half down.

emotionally I'm high maintenance lol. I must have his attention , or I think something is going on. I think part of that is my ADD/Depression , need for validation.

Tracy described me to a T !

super low - I very rarely glam it up, don't need a lot of personal maintenance (nails done, high priced hair coloring/cuts, etc.). Also, I'm not really into drama or overly needy about wanting people to acknowledge me or validate every feeling/thought I have.

I'm not sure if I'm low maintenance or high maintenance.

I'm low maintenance in the sense that I don't spend a whole lot of time on how I look. I put on a nice outfit (Jeans and a clean shirt), make sure my hair looks decent (Which to me means, straightened or in a pony tail), do my make up if the event calls for it (Which at most means eyeliner and lip gloss), and put on my shoes (I have 1 pairs of shoes... Regular shoes, and high heels. The high heels are so rarely worn that I still need to hold onto my man's arm to stay standing.). I am perfectly happy staying at home instead of going out.

I'm high maintenance in the sense that I'm picky. When we go out to the movies, I need to pick the movie. When we have dinner, I need to pick the food.

Hmmm. Can I be middle range? (based upon how it seems you define high maintenance).

I never take husband shopping - I wouldn't do that to the poor man. Ok, I cannot say "never" - but RARELY.

I am not ready to leave the house at the drop of a hat. I def take longer than my husband would like. But, I always regret going out at the drop of a hat and then feeling like poo all day because I didn't take 20 minutes to put myself together - so I make the time.

I am a makeup wearer. I dress up for work and just wouldn't feel "right" not wearing makeup with a suit or dress. So, this often carries over to the weekends. If I am going to the gym or something I don't do makeup, but out for lunch with the fam, I spend 15 minutes "putting on my face". But at the same time, I can go 3 days without washing my hair and throw it up and be fine with that. (I know it sounds gross, but it really looks OK! )

I don't pack heavy - but I do have the basics - hair can go in a pony, but I take the makeup.

Husband would definitely prefer I "hurry" up, but I honestly don't think 20 minutes is that long to get ready! (ok, sometimes it is longer than 20! Maybe I am a "Sally" too!).

With regard to emotionally, I wish I could be higher maintenance. What I mean is that I think I probably forgive too easily and get over things too quickly to keep peace in the home. I think this may "allow" husband to "get away with" more things, if that makes sense. I am def not a grudge holder. Sometimes I wish I could be! He can make me SO mad and I am over it within the hour!

I always thought of high maintenance as someone who demands a lot of things to be "taken care of" ie - jewelry, house, cars, clothes, etc. I am def not that girl! Don't get me wrong, I love to be girly and shop, but I would never demand it from any man.

I love Denise's answer (also my all-time favorite movie)! I am also a "Sally"... definitely an HM, but would like to think that I'm not. I love clothes, shoes, hand-bags and make up. I rarely leave the house without making myself "presentable" and when we go somewhere as a family, we "coordinate". We don't "match", but who wants a picture ruined by tons of competing patterns?

I'm high-maintenance and totally okay with it!

I'm Low M.
I was just explaining to hubby yesterday, how most women spend lots of $ on their hair. (We were discussing a friend's daughter getting a receptionist job at a salon). Anyway... I was like... lots of women "getting their hair done" means dropping $80-100 every other month. And often their nails and some tanning, too. He was clueless. I spend MAYBE $30 every 8-12 weeks, sometimes longer. I have a simple cut/style and no coloring done. And I often go longer than I "should" in between trims. I don't get my nails done. EVER. I don't go tanning. I only shop for myself when I need something specific (bras are all worn out, or need a new Easter dress, or something for a specific event that the last "special" dress from 5 yrs ago is no longer stylish, etc). I don't wear lots of jewelry or "accessorize".
I have my "staple" items: my two-tone Ecodrive watch that I never take off, my wedding ring set, a mother's day pendant on a silver chain, and pearl stud earrings. For me to put on a bracelet is an event all in itself, lol.

I wear only a little makeup and don't even have a daily "facial routine". I do buy Clinique products, but I'm not buying the latest colors... just what I always do. Foundation, loose powder, eyeliner, shadow, lipliner/lipstick. I know a lot of ladies prefer to wear mascara even if it is the only thing they wear.. but I hate the stuff. I forget to take it off at night and then my eyelids feel tender the next day...

Refer back to yesterday's post about the "soccer moms who always look put together every time they step out the door"... My "uniform" is jeans and a shirt. LOL

My husband doesn't know what that "seat" at Macy's is.

So low I could win a limbo contest if you are talking about physically. I don't put forth a lot of effort to "beautify" myself. Yes I brush my hair, paint my nails and wear makeup sometimes but I am not spending a lot of time or money on these things. I do not like to shop and when I do I certainly don't take my husband with me (well I did recently take him with me when I bought my new nail gun...which I am super excited to have...so excited I might have to name it). I do tend to be pretty stringent in my expectations of myself, my husband and my older daughter and I do have an Irish temper so emotionally I guess I am somewhere in the middle. I am usually very laid back but when I get angry I am really angry, but only for a maximum of around 5 minutes. And when I don't get enough sleep I get grumpy.

I always thought of myself as low-maintenance, but according to your specifications I guess I'm in the middle somewhere. I paint my own nails once a week, color my own hair once a month, get it cut about twice a year, 1-3 pedis a year. I wear pretty much only jeans/capris & either sweaters, sweatshirts, t-shirts or tanks on a daily basis. I own 3 dresses which I rotate to weddings, etc. I do wear make-up & try to do something with my hair daily, but the whole routine takes less than 20 minutes. I almost never buy myself new clothes, I've never owned a fancy handbag and the most expensive pair of shoes I've ever had were $60 from Kohl's. I've never had a diamond engagement ring, either, just the band we bought together.

Now, if money was not an object some of these would be different. OK, most of them would be different, but I still would never ask him to take the *husband chair* (and yes, I know exactly what you're talking about), but rather go on my own occassionally for a nice 'me day'.

Guilty as charged! High Maintenance as far as my personal care. I am 42, refuse to have grey hair and always wear makeup. However, since I have been home the last year, my clothing choices are yoga pants almost every day. I am trying to get back to work. I miss getting dressed up and out of the house and I need to make some money to support our household, and my "needs"....

EXTREMELY Low Maintenance!

I don't wear makeup. I don't wear jewelry (except my wedding set). I am ready for work in 15min. I'm in and out of a store as quickly as possible. I drive a Saturn. I look at all ways to save a buck (is that LM or just cheap?). LOL. I'd think that my husband would agree about me being low maintenance.

The only HM thing I do... my bedding.

I am low maintenance when it comes to appearances, but when it comes to life and what I expect out of people I am VERY high maintenance. Both my husband and I expect people to act like people and be nice to people and we both expect alot out of eachother and what a wife and husband are supposed to do for eachother. Same with our kids. We have standards for our kids behaviours as well.

I am both...I am like you were I dont put much thought into getting ready. I could care less about my clothes, love camping and roughing it and could leave the house in my pj's on a daily basis
but when it comes to certain things (my wedding ring, jewelry, having nice furniture) I am high maint. I like things JUST a specific way. Doesnt matter if its really cheap or really expensive...if I like it. I want it...may have to wait to get it for awhile if its really pricey but I usually do get it.

Definitely low maintenance, and it drives my husband crazy. He would prefer that I spend time every day on hair and makeup, but I can't be bothered. I'm not sure why he thought I would magically change when we got married LOL - I always looked polished and professional when we worked together, but I didn't wear make-up every day, hardly ever have my nails done, and wear my hair in a ponytail or bun almost every day of my life. A couple of other women at work also went to an all-girls' high school and we all have the same look. I admire people who look all done up every day and have tried to be that person, but it just isn't me. I figure that as I get older, I'll need to wear make up more often, but it's not a habit that I've ever been able to establish. My mom was low maintenance too, so I didn't grow up playing with her makeup or watching her do her hair or painting each others' nails, so those were never rituals to me.

I am the definition of Low Maintenance

its actually a tricky question. In the way that you described above- mainly about appearance and 'stuff' I would say low. I don't get dressed up, I don't pack heavily for anything, and generally I can just run out of the house at a moments notice (although I have an awful memory so I generally have to run back in for important things like keys and cell).

However- my husband would prob tell you I am high because I always have a list of things I want to do and have done. I am always on the move and always trying to get him to go and do with me :)

I agree with the idea that it is all about how you define it! Is the maintenance about what you personally take to get ready and go or is it about what others around you have to do to keep up with you and you 'demands'?

Low - very low. I look professional when at work, but even that is lower than my co-workers. I wear moisturizer, bronzer, and mascara to work, more if I need to look better for something special. My hair is easy, and I only blow dry/flat iron when I have to. I have been blessed with native Indian skin from my father, so I always have a little bit of color and (knock on wood) very few wrinkles. :)

I consider myself Low maintenance, according to your list I am high maintenance...Keep in mind I live in Southern California.
I think HM is someone who buys $300 (or more) purses and shoes..all the time, someone who shops for clothes for themselves daily. HM people dont just shop at JC Penney or Khols, they go to places like Neiman Marcus, Banana Republic, Saks, etc. They *only* have "high line" makeup such as Mac, Clinque etc, and buy it all the time. They go for facials, massages, mani's and pedi's *weekly*. All of they're jewelry is 100% real, no costume pieces, and by real I mean gold, white gold, diamonds, etc...no sterling silver They drive only new cars, AND once their car is 3-5 years old they sell it for a newer one. Refuses to live anywhere they is not considered an "in" city.
Again....I live in Southern California, and yeah...there are girls here that demand they get everything, and more, that I stated above.
I consider myself low maintenance. I wear jeans and tees, but I do have accessories. I love purses and shoes, but don't spend a fortune on them. Sometimes my jeans run near 70 bucks, but they are fitted, good quality and last. I don't need a new car, but I like a good car. The list could go on.
According to your list though...I am high maintenance...because I do my makeup and hair every day (out of habit), I am *not* always ready to leave at the drop of a hat (i do stuff around my house like sanding, painting, refinishing furniture and it requires me to change before I leave), I don't always pack light for trips (if I don't know what the weather is like I pack extra), and my BF has gone shopping with me before (its rare though...usually I bring the clothes home and try them on for him here).
So to me I am low maintenance....but you may think I am high....but I dont really care how people view me. =)

I am low maintenance. My husband is always trying to get me to spend more money on myself, and go out more. IDK we went through a period of serious budgeting , but now that we are financially stable i am still buckling down.

I wear makeup everyday, i work out, i try to look nice, wear nighties, etc... So i am high maintenance to myself.

Im also very low maintenance emotionally speaking, for example if i ask my husband "do i look fat in this?" i expect the truth. I wont make him suffer.

I am medium. I do love to go shopping and my husband comes with me most of the times, you often would see him either in the "sit" with our toddler or he would take our toddler to walk around while I shop, but I do the same for him.
I barely put make up, most of the time I wear a pony tail and wear jeans, but I love to dress up for special days.
I pack heavy, I am always worrying that I would miss something. I can find joy and fun in any place but I am extremely picky for clean bathrooms.
I almost never buy stuff for my self but when I do I get good stuff.
So I guess I am in the middle.

I'm low maintenance. My husband's first wife: he met her on a 7 day cruise and she had 22 pairs of shoes (morning, noon, and night for every day, plus an extra "just in case"). I'm the polar opposite. I remember one day he wanted me to pack for a 3 day trip and I said I would later, but he started stressing out about it. (Remembering the past, I'm sure). I said I could be packed in 10 minutes, 15 at the most, and he turned on a timer and said "GO". I moved at normal speed, got the bag down, packed it all, zipped it up, and had it at the door in 9. He unpacked to double check and make sure I had it all, which I did. We were engaged shortly after LOL.
I believe in being prepared at all times (first aid, toilet paper someone else mentioned, etc all in my car in a box in the trunk, lol) BUT I don't need a lot at all. But emotionally, hmm. In normal life with normal people, I really don't need anything at all. On the surface, I'm very independent. At home with my husband, I do sometimes need more emotional maintenance, and am quite a bit more needy and clingy.

Definitely both! I don't do much with hair and make-up on a daily basis. I rarely "dress up". I also don't have/want a fancy i-phone. However, I am a brand snob when it comes to clothes, cars, purses, etc. I only shop at GAP, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, and Gymboree. I only carry Coach purses and my car must have leather, DVD, Navigation, sunroof, etc. But, I am a coupon queen and shop sales. I got a cute pair of shorts last week at Banana Republic Outlet for $9--I would have paid more at Walmart! I got my son a pair of jeans at the GAP outlet for $6--again, you'd be hard pressed to spend that little at Walmart! I also got the boys cute shirts for $3.99 at the GAP. I also must have a pedicure every month, but I don't drink gourmet coffee (don't drink coffee at all). We rarely eat out by choice. And, I prefer RedBox over the movie theater. Our only debt is one car payment and our mortgage. And, money goes into savings FIRST!

According to my husband I am HIGH maintenence! ;) I love, love, love shoes, purses, jewelry, hair accessories, clothes, etc. I have 3 children and I do not feel that I am as high maintenence as I once was... I used to never leave the house unless I was fully "done." Now I will throw my hair in a pony tail, run the kiddos to school, and then come home and proceed to finish up...if my son is satisfied, the dishes hold on, and the laundry waits patiently! :) I do STILL drag my husband to the mall... He doesn't care too much for it, but he ALWAYS picks out things that I never would and when I try it on it just works! So he is stuck being my personal assistant when it comes to buying clothes. In return, I am a stay at home mom who makes a meal from scratch 6 out of 7 days, keeps the house clean always, etc. I think it is a good trade off! :D

I am mostly low maintenance. I LOVE to shop, but I don't feel like that has anything to do with my maintenance level. I don't make my husband go with me. My definition is that the harder you are to please and pickier you are, the higher the maintenance level you are. I am pretty easy to please and not very picky. I can be a little OCD, but that is a personal issue that I don't impose on others.

what a fun question, and what fun answers!
i'm a sneaky HM. by your definition i'm rock-bottom low maintenance. i do wear make-up when i'm going to be teaching or something, but most of the time it's no make-up, and wash-and-go hair (when it was long it was wash-and-braid.) i don't own a curling iron or a single bottle of hair product other than shampoo and conditioner and would have no clue how to use it.
i have a lot of clothes and shoes, but it's because i keep stuff as long as it's serviceable and fits. yesterday i taught chaucer wearing a 20 year old suit and 30 year old boots and looked terrific. i almost never shop for new clothes and only buy a insanely reduced prices.
i LOVE being at home and my idea of a perfect day is being here with no pressing agenda. going for a walk, fixing dinner for us and relaxing in front of a netflix movie is all the fun i need. not that i don't enjoy adventures, but i don't need to have expensive restaurants, parties or entertainment to be happy.
but i'm HM in that i am the world's worst procrastinator. he is very punctual and efficient, and has had to spend almost 30 years dealing with my dithering and futzing about. we're not late out the door because i'm perfecting my coif, it's because right up until 15 minutes before it's time to go i'm still on mamapedia thinking 'i've got plenty of time to feed the horses and take a shower.......'
:) khairete
S.

Cool question :)

I consider myself low maintenance for most things. I try to look nice going out the door, but I can usually get there in 15 minutes. I don't do a lot of makeup. Most days just some skin lotion and maybe some lip gloss. I do my own feet and nails, but I don't make a big production out of it. I've tried clothes shopping before and he always tells me I look good in everything so now I go with my daughter. She's honest. Watching movies at home is what I enjoy doing best with him. Or playing games, talking or enjoying food.

He just laughed and told me I am high maintenance though. I asked why and he said I'm a nag. Yup that's me. I want help around here.

Updated

Cool question :)

I consider myself low maintenance for most things. I try to look nice going out the door, but I can usually get there in 15 minutes. I don't do a lot of makeup. Most days just some skin lotion and maybe some lip gloss. I do my own feet and nails, but I don't make a big production out of it. I've tried clothes shopping before and he always tells me I look good in everything so now I go with my daughter. She's honest. Watching movies at home is what I enjoy doing best with him. Or playing games, talking or enjoying food.

He just laughed and told me I am high maintenance though. I asked why and he said I'm a nag. Yup that's me. I want help around here.

I'm a low maintenance person, but wouldn't mind if TLC's "What Not To Wear " showed up at my door step. :)

The Cheese Stands Alone Here* I am high maintenence, I guess. I am an agent for an insurance company, so I dress nice for work. Pant suits, skirts, and I wear make-up everyday. Some days a little... some days a lot. I like expensive purses, and I wear Clinque... but I also like Kohls, JcPenneys and walmart brand make-up. I like to shop and so does my husband... so if thats high maintenance, I guess I fit the profile. I live on a budget and I am a sale shopper. I dont get facials, pedi's and massages all the time.... but I get them occasionally for a gift. I enjoy that. I feel I work hard for what I have...and like that kinda stuff and if I have the money that month to treat myself or my family...who cares? So be it. I am good person who likes people and would help any person in need if I can...I also mow the lawn, pull weeds, cook, do laundry, clean, clean my car, all while helping with homework, get 4 kids back and forth from basketball practice, yearbook and choir... all the while either in sweats or a pencil skirt, with a little make-up or ALOT and with my fancy new Lamb handbag..lol. No matter what my kids dont get everything handed to them. I work hard to spoil them at times and yet show them that hard work can pay off... If that makes me high maintenance then does that make me any less of a mom?
Proud to be high maintenance, I guess.
*T.

Oh you mean "beauty wise"

Ummmm.... I am medium - I guess. I don't put makeup on every day, or match my jewelry to my shoes or anything like that... but I like to look decent...

Except today I went to the grocery store with my husband and daughter. We walked around and I kept getting an odd attitude and looks from everyone... I am hugely pregnant and so I ust though that everyone must be in a bad mood, or I am sensitive or something... and blew it off... when we got home I stepped out of the car and felt a cold chill... right on my butt! I was mortified when I walked in the house and saw my pants are torn right down the seam in the middle of my butt AND on the one day in forever that I wore a pink thong!!!!

So what does that make me now? No maintenance? hahaha! I sympathize with those poor people at the grocery store though.... how exactly do you tell a huge, frumpy pregnant woman that you can see all the way to Timbuktu on her backside? Nope... ya just give her an odd look and hope she doesn't notice!

Um... i do make my husband shop with me though... but on the blue moon that we go to a store that isn't k-mart, We spend about 50% of the time in "his" departments, and 50% of the time in mine... so I don't think it is too bad for him!

-M.

I thought I was low maintenace, but I think I might fall somewhere in the middle. I rarely ever wear makeup (when I do its mineral makeup I buy from a small company (much less expensive than big brands), but I smear on moisturizer/ sunscreen every day. I do cut my hair cut every 5 weeks and colored every 10 (it grows incredibly fast, and I like to keep it short. I also inherited my gray at 30 from my Dad's side). I'm pretty much a jeans girl, but try to wear a nice shirt to work (I work in an office by myself, so its more just an effort to "dress" for work). I keep my nails short and don't usually get them done, but I do get a pedicure a few times a year as treat. I hate to shop. I know exactly what sizes I need from what stores. I get in and get out. My husbands spend more time picking clothes out and trying on than I do. I own 3 dresses for weddings, funerals. I have two suits for work stuff. I do own a lot of shoes- probably 20 pairs, but the oldest are over 5 years old and the newest are over a year old. I am high maintenance when it comes to eating. I have to watch my blood sugar because I was pre-diabetic (until I lost weight- now it is better under control). When it is time to eat, it is time to eat- or I feel horrible. Pregnancy has definitely aggravated this trait. However, my darling husband learned very quickly, when I say I'm hungry- it's time to eat or else!

I am low maintenance. However, I think that's where I sell myself short. (wink). Things are gonna change. LOL!!!