Mostly they are quite pleasurable activities. Of course, sometimes they are a pain, but that is the minority. Washing dishes is not unpleasant when you are talking to another person.

I totally agree. Our family spends a great deal of time doing housework together, especially cooking, and we have a lot of fun doing it. Because my wife and I both work, and our daughter attends school, this gives us our chance to bond as a family. Having the "world's oldest and smallest tv" (can you tell who'd be the one saying that?) helps in that regard, also.