Hi,
so I do live in a shared apartment with my boyfriend and another couple.
The other couple frequently cooking for 3-4 hours and with that blocks the entire kitchen multiple times a week, mostly during times were everyone kind of wants to eat something (lunch, dinner time). In my opinion this is something you can do when you live alone but not when you share space with other people.
The thing is, I also love cooking. But it usually just takes up to an hour or I try to keep some space so other people can use the kitchen too.
However, when I say something, I am the bad person.
Sometimes I also feel it’s bc I am the youngest one here (in my late 20s, my boyfriend in his mid-30s and the others early 40s (I guess)) so they don’t take me serious.
AITA?
This is btw not the only issue I have with these flatmates. But they also already always complained about the two previous tenants before me so at this point I don’t think I am the problem but they are bc they keep coming up with the exact same complaints they already had with the previous people (I know that bc the one before me was a friend and the one before I know from my boyfriend)
There’s no reason in the world for someone to be in the kitchen cooking 3-4 hours on the regular. That just means they suck at cooking. NTA.
There are times where I will take several hours to cook because I enjoy taking my time and often make overly complicated meals that require a lot of prep work. I would never do this if I had roommates though, that is incredibly rude. If I were OP I’d just start barging in and making my meals anyway.
If you had roommates you could do the prep work earlier in the week or day.
Cooking for 4 hours in a shared kitchen at dinner time daily is not normal at all, it’s very antisocial behaviour. The couple should move into their own place as clearly they don’t know how to share space fairly
NTA. You also need time to cook something when you get home. Maybe you can make a deal where everyone cooks bigger meals for everyone?
The problem is we don’t have the same diet. But also me and my boyfriend are not on good enough terms with them to do that.
NTA they need to be considerate about time especially close to meal times when others want to cook. Basic decency when you live with others.
NTA. The kitchen is a shared space. Since they have roommates (you and your bf), they need to adjust their routines to make sure you can also make a meal. If they want to spend 3-4 hours making a meal and taking up the entire kitchen, they need to live on their own.
Me and my housemates like to cook complex meals that can take ages individually as well. It’s just about negotiation, if I know I’m cooking something that takes ages in the oven or if I’m going to be using all the hobs I let my housemates know and ask them if they want to use the kitchen before me, this is just part of living with people. Just say to them “if your going to cook a big meal would you mind letting me use the kitchen before you or at least let me know before you get started” if they say no, they’re unreasonable and you just need to find elsewhere to live.
NTA – you need some sort of schedule so that you can share use of the kitchen fairly
NTA. Shared space
Geez. What are they making?
Nta. If someone is cooking for a 3-4 hr chunk of time in a shared kitchen, they need to do it during off peak hours. That’s highly inconsiderate.
Also, who needs 3-4 hrs to cook?
You folks need some house rules, in writing. You need to sit down when the problem is not occurring, that is not the time to discuss it, and work through the reality that when people live together they need to be considerate of each other. Don’t let others take advantage of you because you are younger. Your age is irrelevant. You are a tenant with equal rights.
The alternative is that you move out and find another place when your lease is up.