Do you eat your housemates food?

See, I think you both agree that there is a sort of boundary where it is acceptable to take someone's food in some quantities. It's like there are two types of 'taking food' - there's the type where you're friends, you've run out of milk and you're making a cup of tea, so you grab a little of theirs but they'd be welcome to do the same if they were in the same situation.

And then there's the unacceptable type of taking food. Imagine if one of your flatmates moved out and was replaced. The first thing you see the new guy do is open up the fridge, make himself a slice of toast and butter with your supplies, brew a cup of tea and use the last of your milk - that would be considered outrageous by almost anyone, as it's basically a complete stranger wandering into your home and committing theft.

The boundary between what is acceptable and what isn't varies from person to person. Your personal boundary is just in a more relaxed position.

I think the reason why many people believe you should ask, or mention what you have borrowed/taken afterwards, is mainly a courtesy in order to recognise the difference between the two types of 'taking food' - "I have borrowed some of your milk, this doesn't mean you're going to come home some day and find I've nicked your dinner or that you're going to have to start buying enough milk and bread for two people instead of just yourself for the next 3 years", instead of "I have removed and effectively destroyed some of your property. You will not see it again. F*ck you."

Can you see now why some people would consider it quite rude? Also bear in mind, you may think of your flatmates as new siblings or mates, but they DO NOT NECESSARILY think of you in the same way.

I would eat all your food and then see how you felt!

My idea of a good flatemate-ship is that you have a shopping list with some basics, everybody can add their extras and luxury things, there is a household money box, and once a week one goes shopping - taking turns obviously.
Just saying. Am I too optimistic? It has worked before.

I really just hate the fact that people seem to live in flats only to save money. For me, it should be a bit like a family. Even if their not your besties you shouldn't bitch about paying a pound more. Eventually, it will be balance out. And if not, you are all adults, after all, and you should be able to talk about issues.

I can only hope that there are still some people out there who don't assume that sharing is the same as stealing!!!

Sharing is caring, in my opinion!

Getting the feeling that this guy is just neg fishing /bore

Not really...I have done threads like that in the past. But I genuinely do just take my housemates food if I cannot be arsed going the shops. I am sorry if someone taking a piece of bread is too hard for you to comprehend.

I think I made that all perfectly clear in my first post where I say I have a piece of bread here and there and not expensive cuts of meat or whole meals. But people still get angry over a slice of bread and was just pointing out they're like this because they're socially conditioned to be like that and fall back on 'it is the principle of the matter' to act or butt hurt.

Not really...I have done threads like that in the past. But I genuinely do just take my housemates food if I cannot be arsed going the shops. I am sorry if someone taking a piece of bread is too hard for you to comprehend.

I tell them after I have ate it that I took it...it's not like I do it sneakily.

Also another thing I have noticed with houseshares is that loads of food gets wasted because a whole loaf is generally too much for one person, a bunch of bananas or pack of apples etc...so much food gets wasted. That is why I also do it as well because they generally just chuck it away.

tbh you would get used to it, I always get people to my way of thinking...you'd just be angry because you're socially conditioned to think you should be angry, once I got rid of your social conditioning you would become a more relaxed and sharing person.

The girls I live with will spend £100+ on shoes without a second thought....why would they suddenly cry that I have took a piece of bread from an 80p loaf? Only answer is social conditioning and *******s such as 'it is the principle of the matter'....which is generally an excuse to act like a child without actually any thought about the fact of the matter.

No way, never-ever.

With the exception of something like milk, if I'd run out and they had a full carton, and I needed a splash for my tea in the morning - obviously I would tell them and let them do the same in the opposite situation.

Stealing your housemate's food is SUCH a jerky thing to do - people budget for this stuff, and if you're eating their food they might not have enough for the whole week. It might seem like nothing but I've had people eat fruit, yoghurt, bread, etc, and then I'm stuck with absolutely no breakfast, and no spare cash to get something else.

It's one thing if you ask - "hey, I'm out of ____, can I use some of yours?"
But taking it without asking is a big no-no.

Over a week, what food, and how much do you take?

Oh I can comprehend it but I don't believe that you were interested. Especially when you have since said you go in their rooms when they're not there and don't understand locking doors. I don't believe you are so blind as to not be able to see why that would piss people off.

People like you are the reason people lock their doors.

If I need a spanner or something and it is in their room and they're not going to be back for hours....I am not going to just not go in their room and look for it because it is deemed as rude by society.

Me personally I would be happy that something of mine has helped someone rather than feeling violated.

Some bread, a beer, a spanner, a laptop, some cash... you then open yourself up to not knowing where the line is. And in addition being accused when something goes missing.