Do you "multitask"? Are women really better at it?
By The Horse
@TheHorse (238268)
Walnut Creek, California
December 11, 2018 1:12pm CST
I've heard of the stereotype that women are better than men at "multitasking," but I have no idea whether it's true. In fact, I'm not exactly sure what qualifies as multitasking.
Right now, I have my last latke in the oven, my laundry in the dryer, and I'm preparing my exams to get them printed out. (Now, I'm taking a break to MyLot.)
Does that mean I'm doing "three things at once"? Am I multitasking? What are your thoughts? Do you multitask? If I stained a pair of my sound hole coasters and set them aside to dry, would I be doing four things at once?
Are women really better at multitasking? I have no clue.
23 people like this
23 responses
@much2say (57760)
• Los Angeles, California
11 Dec 18
Everyone can do it to some degree, but some are better than others - some wayyyy better. It depends on the person - not necessarily because they are a guy or gal. And then there are those who "think" they can multitask - they are scatterbrained to do too many things all at once and in the end get nothing done 
.
.3 people like this
@JudyEv (381739)
• Rockingham, Australia
12 Dec 18
Some great comments here. In particular I think most young mums learn to multi-task. Vince now insists on doing one thing at a time but he used to juggle dozens of balls in the air. And, of course, I'm a past-master at multi-tasking! 
Seriously though, sometimes it's not so much multi-tasking as time management that helps get things done more quickly. So you put a load of washing on so it's happening while you then start something else.
Seriously though, sometimes it's not so much multi-tasking as time management that helps get things done more quickly. So you put a load of washing on so it's happening while you then start something else.3 people like this
@andriaperry (118793)
• Anniston, Alabama
11 Dec 18
Its a mental thing, anyone can do it. I cook and do laundry all the time while I do other things like write, take the dogs for a walk, working the garden and all of that while I tend to Tony.
Or I will have hair color in my hair, while washing laundry and mylotting, and waiting on Tony.
Yes you can multitask, if you just try.
3 people like this
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
11 Dec 18
I say multitasking is gender neutral.
3 people like this
@TheHorse (238268)
• Walnut Creek, California
12 Dec 18
Most psychologists say that multitasking is a myth, since can only think about and actively do many e things things at once. But by my "extended" definition, which includes passive things like brewing coffee and letting the laundry get done, I'd have to say it exists. It's partially about good planning.
3 people like this
@toniganzon (77064)
• Philippines
12 Dec 18
My husband couldn't do that nor can my son even though I taught him how to. I can brush my teeth and put on my eye makeup at the same time, while on the phone too. I know other women put on their makeup while driving. What you describe there is multi-tasking but not all men can do it. It's rare. I don't think women are better than men at multi-tasking. What I heard was, women can multi-task, men can't. You're the very first man that I know who can do it.
2 people like this
@toniganzon (77064)
• Philippines
13 Dec 18
@TheHorse I'm surrounded by men who can't do two things at the same time.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (238268)
• Walnut Creek, California
18 Dec 18
@toniganzon I'd get some new men in your life.
@LadyDuck (502148)
• Italy
12 Dec 18
It is proven than NOBODY is multitasking, those who pretend to do several tasks in realty are wrong.
Read this if you want to know more. You even stop breathing when you drink... most people stop using their brain in many occasions, but this is another matter.
https://hbr.org/2010/12/you-cant-multi-task-so-stop-tr
1 person likes this
You can do 3 things at a time, this will take 3 times the time.
@wolfgirl569 (135583)
• Marion, Ohio
12 Dec 18
@TheHorse Today was making smokes and watching t.v. Then later coloring and watching t.v. But many times I am cooking while cleaning the kitchen and might even have laundry going too.
2 people like this
@Plethos (13718)
• United States
11 Dec 18
its called being time efficient.
so that means if im washing a load of socks, lets say 60 pairs, does that mean im actually doing 120 different things at once?
i think people do a lot of multi tasking tht hey are not aware of. some of it is simple every day activity like driving a car, watching for dangers, and talking to a passenger, listening to the radio, while taking a sip from your drink that your holding in one hand..
2 people like this
@TheHorse (238268)
• Walnut Creek, California
11 Dec 18
I like to think in terms of numbers. Its the way my brain is wired. Right now I'm MyLotting (getting rich and socializing), finishing up my laundry, sipping Vodka, waiting for my fried to come over, and...shoot...that's only four.
2 people like this
@Nickzter1331 (4229)
• Philippines
16 Dec 18
,,yeah i always multitask especially if their are many requirements to do...
But i dont have a clue if women are better at it...
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (238268)
• Walnut Creek, California
17 Dec 18
@Nickzter1331 Very true.
1 person likes this
@Nickzter1331 (4229)
• Philippines
16 Dec 18
@TheHorse haha... youre right.. man and weman can do multitaskin no need to know who does it better.. hehe
1 person likes this
@KOLAMsegaran1 (4137)
• Bekasi, Indonesia
11 Dec 18
I never followed it, but I hope to find out
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
12 Dec 18
I try to avoid multi tasking because then nothing gets my full attention. My daughter has read studies that say that no one really multi tasks, but that they constantly stop and start several tasks. Women do seem to be able to carry more thoughts around successfully at a time, but that does not mean it is a good practice.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (91013)
• United States
13 Dec 18
I used to be good at multi tasking but not so much anymore.
1 person likes this
@porwest (112717)
• United States
18 Dec 18
I don't know what the studies say (they do study this stuff don't they?), but I tend to focus on one thing at a time. But that being said, I usually wind up doing many things at a time. Who knows if I am good at it or not. My wife always complains I don't do enough no matter what I am doing. 
1 person likes this
