Sorry, did you say something dear?

Multi-tasking is something which women have convinced themselves that they’re really good at and men are incapable of mastering.

Essentially, it’s an illusion, a myth perpetuated by the fairer sex in order to hammer home the message that they are indeed superior.

And if only men could work out a way of breathing and thinking at the same time, I’m sure it could be easily disproved.

Whenever a man fails to live up to expectation, which is generally quite often, it’s trotted out as the most obvious explanation. “Your forgot the milk? But I told you we needed milk. You men just can’t multi-task can you?” I nod in resigned agreement, relieved that she hasn’t realised I’ve forgotten the eggs as well.

If multi-tasking is the ability to perform a number of tasks simultaneously, it’s fair to say there are examples where women do excel.

They often manage to combine gossiping with drinking wine and can effortlessly mix smiling at another women with looking her up and down and internally tutting while analysing every item of clothing.

But there is an argument to say that by trying to do too much you’re not able to do any of it properly. If you’re spinning too many plates, some of them could come crashing down. Concentration can’t help but be diminished when you attempt to spread it too thinly.

That’s why men have to make tough decisions sometimes about whether they’re going to keep watching the telly or listen to the shopping list their wife is giving them.

The trick with multi-tasking is to build it up gradually.

Perhaps start with a simple combination of activities like talking while eating and then try reading the newspaper as well.

If your partner starts telling you in detail about their day, taking notice of that may just be a bridge too far. Be true to yourself and prioritise. I’d stick with eating and reading the newspaper.

Despite my assertion about it being a convenient myth, a recent study by a British psychologist was widely reported in the press to have provided the first evidence of female multi-tasking superiority.

However, a formal research paper has yet to be published. Apparently he’s really busy at the moment and can only deal with one thing at once.