His Prized Kitchen Tools Are Mishandled By His Girlfriend, But When His Items Start to Break the Relationship May Soon Follow.

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In a shared space, the lines between personal boundaries and shared responsibilities blur, causing conflict between the Original Poster (OP), a former professional chef with a treasure trove of cherished culinary equipment, and his live-in girlfriend, who fails to understand the intrinsic value and care requirements of these tools. Tension escalates as the girlfriend consistently mishandles the kitchen equipment, leading OP to ban her from using them – a decision that stirs trust issues and emotional unrest. The climax hits when a prized 15-year-old cast iron pot is found soaking in soapy water, leading OP to question his reactions and leaving the reader questioning the fate of both the relationship and the cookware.

The Co-habitation Commencement

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OP’s life takes a significant turn when his girlfriend moves in, marking the onset of an unforeseen problem. Accustomed to living solo, he values and cherishes his vast collection of professional kitchen equipment. Most of his kitchenware are expensive tools he’s nurtured for years, though he also owns a collection of inferior equipment.

The Culinary Carelessness

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After his girlfriend moves in, OP begins to observe a disturbing trend. His precious cookware exhibits signs of damage, such as scratches, dents, and deformations. He catches her using his cherished Japanese chef knives directly on the stainless steel counters and mishandling his pans, prompting him to confront her about the proper care of his equipment.

The Soap-Soaked Sacrilege

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Despite his numerous warnings, his girlfriend continues to disregard the care instructions for his kitchen equipment. The last straw comes when OP finds his favorite, carefully seasoned 15-year-old cast iron pot filled with soap-laden water. OP decides it is time to set more stringent boundaries regarding his kitchenware.

The Iron-clad Interdiction

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OP confronts his girlfriend, banning her from using his cherished kitchen tools. Instead, he shows her the collection of cheap kitchenware and insists that she limit her culinary exploits to these utensils. He refuses to compromise, growing increasingly weary of constantly repairing and replacing his damaged cookware.

The Trust Tussle

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Upon hearing about her relegation to the cheap kitchenware, his girlfriend recalls OP’s earlier joke about these pans being for people he doesn’t trust in his kitchen. She questions his trust in her, opening up a deeper issue than the state of the cookware. OP reassures her that while he does trust her in general, he does not trust her with his kitchen equipment.

The Rusted Rebuttal

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OP points out that soaking the pans causes rust. He also mentions that the worst damage is caused by her cooling hot pans with cold water, which leads to deformation. Ultimately, these actions compromise the effectiveness of his expensive kitchenware.

The Unexpected Ultimatum

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With the growing tension around the kitchen equipment and trust issues, OP’s girlfriend gives him an ultimatum: either she can use the high-quality kitchenware without restrictions, or she moves out. OP is taken aback by the severity of her reaction and is forced to consider his options.

The Culinary Compromise

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After much contemplation, OP proposes a compromise. He offers to teach his girlfriend proper handling techniques for his precious cookware. He also suggests investing in new, decent-quality cookware for shared usage in the hopes of striking a balance.

The Dishwasher Dilemma

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As they try to negotiate their kitchen cohabitation rules, a new issue arises. OP discovers that his girlfriend has been using the dishwasher for his wooden-handled knives, risking irreversible damage. OP is once again forced to intervene.

The Cooking Class

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To mitigate the tension, OP decides to offer his girlfriend cooking lessons, using the opportunity to instill in her respect for his kitchen tools. However, his girlfriend takes this as an insult to her culinary abilities and storms off. OP is left grappling with how to navigate his passion for cooking and his relationship.

The Appliance Awakening

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Amid this escalating conflict, the refrigerator breaks down. The appliance had been a bone of contention between the couple, with OP previously insisting on its meticulous maintenance. Ironically, it’s the girlfriend who manages to fix it temporarily.

The Humble Homemaker

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Following the refrigerator incident, OP’s girlfriend begins taking a more active interest in the maintenance of other appliances around the house. Although she still struggles with the kitchen equipment, her effort to contribute in other ways softens OP’s stance. He begins to acknowledge her efforts, appreciating her in new ways.

The Culinary Catastrophe

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Just as things start to look up, OP returns home one day to find his prized Dutch oven irreparably damaged. His girlfriend had decided to surprise him with a home-cooked meal but ended up overheating the oven.

The Ultimate Understanding

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Realizing the extent of their ongoing conflict, both OP and his girlfriend take a step back to reassess their priorities. They agree that while kitchen equipment can be replaced, their relationship is of higher value. They decide to invest in a new set of high-quality kitchenware that they can use together.

Was The Man’s Behavior Appropriate?

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OP takes his dilemma to the internet, seeking outside opinions on his actions. He wonders if his firm stance is too harsh and unfair towards his girlfriend. Here are some of the responses from the readers in the online forum:

Forum Responds

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One reader said, “You told her not to do the thing. She continues to do the thing. I doubt she would like it if you used her expensive makeup brushes like a child would.”

Another Commenter Thinks

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Another responder wrote, “At this point, its willful incompetence, and it isn’t cute. You’ve talked to her several times and shown her how to handle your equipment.”

A Third View on The Story

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A different person stated, “It might be a time to reevaluate what she cares about because your possessions are not on the list.”

A Final Perspective on the Matter

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Another reader replied, “She seems careless though, and I agree that she should be using the lower quality stuff until she proves she can be responsible with it. Cutting directly on the countertop?!”