A video circulating online shows a husband in southern China destroying furniture and household items after his wife bought a 1,500-yuan (S$470) dishwasher without consulting him. The incident, which took place in Guangdong province, has attracted widespread attention on social media.
The woman, who posted the video on January 8, said she purchased the dishwasher through an online platform because washing by hand in the winter tap water had become unbearable. According to the report by Dahe News, her husband does not help with household chores, and he only discovered the purchase when the delivery worker arrived to install the appliance in their rented flat.
The husband demanded that the dishwasher be returned, citing concerns over water and electricity costs. The wife, however, insisted the family could afford it, prompting her husband to erupt in anger. The ensuing destruction left the couple’s flat in chaos, as seen in the viral video.
Husband’s Rage and Aftermath
When the wife refused to halt the installation, the husband smashed furniture and other items in the living room. Distressed, the woman fled her home and spent an hour on the street before staying overnight in a hotel. She later admitted that their argument over the dishwasher was part of a series of disputes related to shopping.
The couple’s household dynamics may have contributed to tensions. The husband works in a distant city earning approximately 11,000 yuan (S$3,450) per month, while the wife cares for their two children. She suggested that her illness and unemployment last year, combined with her husband’s significant debt, might have heightened his stress.
Despite the confrontation, the wife returned the dishwasher the next day. In a subsequent video, the husband apologised, saying, “I am sorry. I was in a bad mood. I will treat you well in the future. We can buy a smaller dishwasher.”
Public Reaction
The case sparked heated debate online. Many criticised the husband’s violent behaviour, urging divorce, while others emphasised financial responsibility, noting that the husband is the sole breadwinner under considerable pressure.
Family lawyer Ke Danni of Xian, Shaanxi province, commented that both parties contributed to the conflict. She stressed that domestic violence is unacceptable under any circumstances and advised couples to communicate openly about household expenses.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges of balancing financial stress, domestic responsibilities, and marital communication, as online viewers continue to discuss the boundaries of acceptable behaviour in relationships.