When I went downstairs about two hours ago, I met on the bottom of the stairs one of our charming house pets – a large spider – obviously on the way upstairs… After a disgusted and somewhat panicked shriek of mine, it changed direction and tried to hide, but I did not move until my housemate (the one who actually likes spiders) came down the stairs behind me and asked what was going on. While I explained, another housemate (who does not like spiders that much) came along too and the three of us, with the guys in front of course, chased the spider into a corner in the corridor leading to the back of the house. We then discussed the further plan of action and we were divided between leaving it be, killing it, and putting it outside (that was my suggestion, actually). Finally, the last two people in the house appeared also, probably alerted by all the noise I was making, the walls here are indeed very thin.
After some more words, all three men disappeared on oh so urgent business; and it was me and our latest arrival, a British woman, who were left in charge. I was stunned when she simply said Let’s just put it outside, went to the kitchen to get a Tupperware box, caught the spider (about half the size of the one pictured) and released it at the bottom of the steps outside the house – all within five minutes. To my question whether she was not afraid, she simply answered I grew up in the Caribbean, we have tarantulas there…
So, once again, it was shown that if you want something done, ask a woman (if you can find one that does not have arachnophobia, that is). The big spider pictured above still lives in the house by the way, but it has been smart enough not to show itself recently. If it ever does so again, I’ll know whom to scream for…