Fatshimetrie: Why Sunday is the perfect day to run out of gas
Sunday, a day of rest, conviviality and preparation for the week ahead, is often conducive to unexpected breakdowns. Among the most frequent hazards encountered by many households is the famous scenario of a gas outage in the middle of preparing Sunday dinner. How can we explain this recurrence that never fails to cause frustration and annoyance?
First of all, Sunday is often synonymous with days spent cooking more. After a busy week, the weekend finally offers the opportunity to concoct delicious meals, whether for yourself, your family or your friends. The stoves are running at full speed, soups are simmering, roasts are browning in the oven. It is not surprising that the gas runs out at the crucial moment when the pie crust is about to be put in the oven or the roast seems to have just reached the perfect cooking.
Furthermore, the normal wear and tear of gas generally means a predictable lifespan. If you fill up your gas bottle on a Sunday and cook at a similar rate every week, there is a good chance that your supply will run out again around the same time the following month, or even the following months. It is a bit like fate that seems to be determined by this particular day of the week.
Beyond mere coincidences, there is also the well-known effect of Murphy’s Law that maliciously invites itself into these crucial moments. According to this adage, if something can go wrong, then it will go wrong. And if it can’t go wrong, well, it will go wrong anyway. It is not uncommon for these ruinous events to occur just when we least expect them, thus causing a certain disruption to our already well-regulated habits.
In addition, our perception of events plays a significant role. Indeed, all it takes is a gas outage on a Sunday for it to become more striking in our memory. This is what is called the phenomenon of the illusion frequency, or the Baader-Meinhof phenomenon. Once a disturbing incident occurs, we are more inclined to notice other similar ones, thus reinforcing the impression that Sunday is cursed in terms of gas.
In conclusion, the gas outage that systematically occurs on Sunday, although frustrating, can be seen as a reflection of the vagaries of daily life. Between well-established routines, predictable wear and tear of equipment and psychological phenomena, Sunday seems to be the ideal day for Murphy’s Law to play tricks. But in the end, it is in these small inconveniences that sometimes lie the best opportunities to laugh at oneself and to fully enjoy the simple joys of domestic life.