A woman has been accused of being "rude and petty" by her roommate for preventing his friend from using her expensive shampoo and conditioner without permission.
The 28-year-old woman, who lives with her 34-year-old male roommate, returned home after a weekend away to find that his visiting friend, Sarah, had used most of her high-end hair products.
Personal Luxury
Unlike her roommate, who earns more and buys generic brands, she had invested in premium hair care products as a personal luxury, she explained on Reddit this week.
When Sarah visited again and asked to shower before heading to a dance class, the woman had already moved her expensive toiletries to her room. The only shampoo left in the bathroom was her roommate's, which Sarah found insufficient.
"When [Sarah] couldn't find the conditioner, she asked my friend, who came to my room to ask me about it," original poster (OP) UpbeatCow9528 told Redditors.
"I told him that she's his guest and it's not my responsibility to provide spa products for her. My friend got mad and thinks I'm rude and petty."
The OP turned to fellow Redditors for outside verdicts and many online sided with her.
One user wrote, "Ask your roommate how much the products cost. Laugh in his face when he thinks it's like men's shampoo that's $5 (I say this as a man)."
Another user sympathized, saying, "I have lived with people who I don't trust to not use my stuff, and have had to only bring my stuff to the shower when I'm actively using it.
"It's a horrible feeling to feel like your personal property is not being respected."
Roommate Conflicts
Disputes over shared spaces and personal belongings are a common challenge in cohabitation. According to a Newsweek article on similar disputes, tensions often arise when one party assumes access to another's possessions without explicit permission.
Experts suggest that clearly defined household rules can prevent such conflicts from escalating.
A guide by SharedEasy advises roommates to establish personal and communal item policies early on.
"Clarifying expectations about shared spaces and personal property reduces the risk of misunderstandings," the guide states. It also recommends open discussions about financial disparities, as individuals with differing incomes may prioritize expenses differently.
In many cases, small disputes over household items can lead to larger conflicts if they remain unresolved.
A report from Mental Health America suggests addressing grievances directly rather than allowing resentment to build. The organization recommends setting clear expectations regarding guests, shared resources and financial contributions.
'Make it clear'
While many online supported the woman's stance, some argued that she could have handled the situation differently. One critic suggested she should have talked directly with Sarah rather than removing the products entirely, while others felt that her actions were justified given the previous incident.
"I just added up the cost of my hair stuff and it comes to about $50," a supporter declared.
The OP, "Just needs to make it clear how much it costs and if he wants to pay to replace it when his friend used it (and it sounds like she's using excessive amounts) then go ahead."
'Not rude'
The OP admitted in the thread that she felt the situation was "almost ridiculous" and wondered if she might be too uptight.
"We are in my friend's home country (Argentina) and sharing is more normal here. That's what he is saying, at least. However, I still believe that having boundaries is not rude."
Newsweek has contacted UpbeatCow9528 for comment via Reddit.
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