Ethical dilemma #033

Your roommate takes your food without asking and says you overreact. Would you keep living with him?

Your roommate takes your food without permission. You have discussed it several times, but he says you are overreacting and does it again.

Related reflectionYou Cannot Make Someone Change if They Deny the Problem

What would you do in this situation?

Choose an answer before continuing.

Choose an answer before continuing.

Your roommate takes your food without asking and says you overreact. Would you keep living with him?

The context

You share an apartment with a friend. For several weeks he has been taking food you bought for your lunches without asking. When you return from work, you sometimes have to go shopping again or eat something else for dinner.

You have already explained that you prepare these meals on a limited budget and need him not to take them. He says friends should not keep track of everything and that you are overreacting. Today you find another meal you had left for tomorrow has been eaten. You can talk once more, ask him to pay for what he took and clearly separate your groceries, or look for another place to live. You want to protect the friendship, but you also need your money and belongings to be respected.

A perspective to continue

Understanding a difficulty does not oblige you to accept any treatment. What help can you offer, and what agreement do you need to make living together possible?