Hey Roommate Stop Stealing My Food!
Published in
roommate, dorm by
Shae
Whether you're in college and sharing a dorm/apartment for the first time, or a young professional with a salary that doesn't quite support a no roommates lifestyle, learning to live with friends or strangers isn't easy.
Situation #1
Bliss! You're finally at college and that pesky little brother or sister can't steal your stuff anymore, but a month into the semester you realize you're confronted with a new enemy. Your roommate is swiping your food.
It's a difficult situation. You have to live with them the rest of the school year and you don't want it to be awkward but . this . is . NOT . acceptable.
Situation #2
You've got a new job and a new apartment. College is over and you don't have to worry about immature roommates swiping your food...then, just when you thought it was safe, just when you leave your guard down, food goes missing.
In either situation, you may confront your roommates, and they may or may not cop to it. Maybe your roommate is completely trustworthy but it's those sketchy friends you're not so sure about.
The fact is, stocking a kitchen is not cheap these days. It's especially difficult when you're on a budget, so feeding those roommates just may not be an option for you. Here's some tips for dealing:
1. Lay down the law. Are you willing to share some of your food, all of your food or none of your food? Do you care whether or not your roommate eats your leftovers? Even if you've been rooming for a while, it's not too late. Sit down and tell them calmly and politely that from now on this is what you expect, or that you've changed your mind and the previous agreement is no longer working for you.
2. Keep food separate. Assign shelves and drawers in the refrigerator and in the kitchen that are off limits to anyone who didn't purchase that food. Keep a shelf for community food.
3. Have a plan for hungry visitors. Sharing food with roommates is one thing, but are you okay with visitors eating your food? Discuss from the beginning (see #1). Also, ask your roommate to keep a stock of snacks for when their hungry friends come over, and do the same for your friends. Keep a binder of take-out menus on the coffee table or next to the fridge.
4. Mark your territory. Use Sharpies to mark your food storage containers and if necessary your packages of food. Going away for the weekend and don't want your food to go to waste? Leave a nice note letting your roommate know that it's okay to finish your milk and leftover spaghetti.
5. Lock up your food. Store your non-perishable food in a locked foot locker. If you're in an apartment with your own room consider installing a keyed doorknob. (My mom suggested this and I regretted not doing it).
6. Keep separate refrigerators. This might be a little drastic but it makes things very clear about what is yours and what is not. A friend of mine lived in a suite with a full kitchen, but still had a pretty good sized fridge in her room.
It isn't naive to go into a situation believing that everyone is going to do the right thing, but setting clear boundaries in the beginning, so there are no misunderstandings or misinterpretations, will make it easier if you need to take more drastic measures.
Shae is a U.S.C. grad who lived with thieving, lying roommates both during and after college.
Copyright © 2008 The Collegiate Gourmet. All Rights Reserved.
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written by cezeOne, August 06, 2009
