Caught Red-Handed: Roommate’s Food Theft Exposed Through an Ingenious Lactose-Intolerant Trap
The original poster (OP) grapples with a thieving roommate in a shared apartment, creating a tense and hostile living environment. The conflict climaxes when OP executes a cunning plan, exposing the roommate’s dishonesty but leaving their cohabitation at a precipice.
Unusual Sharing Rules
OP and his two roommates share everything in their apartment except food. They have the rule to buy their groceries separately, each marking their purchases to avoid confusion. But OP soon realizes his groceries, especially his expensive almond milk, are disappearing at an alarming rate.
The Unseen Thief
One roommate, R, becomes the OP’s prime suspect, as he’s often alone in the apartment while OP and the other roommate are at work. Despite the items clearly labeled with OP’s name, they continue to disappear, causing strain and tension. R, however, vehemently denies any accusations, causing numerous arguments.
The Stubborn Denial
R’s denial becomes a source of intense frustration for OP. The disputes escalate, with R even claiming OP is crazy, despite the evidence being clear. All the while, R is notably protective of his own groceries, adding to the suspicion and irony of the situation.
The Unaffected Roommate
The other roommate, who shares similar work hours with OP, also experiences food theft, but to a lesser extent. His food preferences seem to deter R, making his groceries a less frequent target. Despite being affected, he remains somewhat distanced from the intense conflict between OP and R.
The Tipping Point
The ongoing theft of OP’s almond milk becomes the focal point of contention. Tired of his food disappearing, OP finally decides to take decisive action. In a daring move, he replaces his almond milk with regular dairy milk, knowing full well that R is lactose intolerant.
The Bait is Set
OP empties his almond milk container and refills it with regular dairy milk. He does this secretly, not revealing the switch to either roommate. The stage is set for the confrontation as OP patiently waits for R to fall into the trap.
The Tense Saturday
The very next day, R returns from work, visibly upset and in discomfort. Complaining about spending an unusually long time in the bathroom, he points an accusing finger at OP. The trap has worked, and R has inadvertently outed himself as the food thief.
The Explosive Admission
R admits he’s been stealing OP’s food but is more infuriated by the milk switch than the fact he’s been caught. OP retorts, “So then you’re the one who’s been stealing?” This admission only stokes the flames of their already heated relationship, leading to an explosive argument.
The Unexpected Backlash
OP’s other roommate finds the situation amusing and supports OP’s actions. He’s satisfied with the poetic justice served to R for stealing their food. However, the apartment atmosphere becomes tense, as R retaliates by trying to convince the other roommate to evict OP.
Unforeseen Alliances
Unknown to R, OP and the unaffected roommate have grown tired of R’s behavior and are planning to move out together. They see through R’s manipulative tactics and stand united against him. The bonds of their shared experience are beginning to change the dynamics of their living situation.
The Judgment of Peers
OP shares the incident with his friends, seeking their opinion on his actions. Some label him as wrong for his dairy switch, causing him to question if his scheme was out of line. The difference in opinions leaves OP feeling conflicted and uncertain about his actions.
The Moral Dilemma
Despite the judgment of his friends, OP concludes he’s not in the wrong. He argues that R was stealing from him and not owning up to his actions. The question lingers: was OP wrong in his actions, or was he merely proving a point?
Was The Roommates’ Behavior Appropriate?
The readers in the forum had a lot of mixed views on the matter. Here are some of their responses:
Forum Responded
One reader said, “You gave him time to act like an adult, and he kept stealing your milk. He paid for it. ”
Another responder wrote: “Who can’t tell the difference between almond milk and dairy milk?”
A different person states, “If he steals from you, he should face the consequences, especially after you bring it up to him. Why would he expect you to buy and use products that accommodate his health condition?”
What Do You Think?
What are your thoughts on their actions?
What would you have done in this situation?
This story is inspired by this thread.
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Alexander Veros
Alex is a writer for Top Dollar Investor, focusing on lifestyle, travel, and business stories. Alex has started several online businesses and is a blogger who loves providing quality content to help others. He is passionate about affiliate marketing, finance, and cryptocurrency.
