I am living with a flatmate who loves trying out very exotic recipes, but they all come with the most pungent smells possible: fermented fish, durian, the whole nine yards. I have asked him, politely, to do it outside at least or ventilate, but he insists that he "has the right to cook whatever he wants in his own space.
It has gotten to the point where, last week, the smell filled my entire apartment and I had guests over who complained. So I finally lost it and told him he cannot cook anything that smells this strong here. He’s now claiming I’m controlling and unsupportive.
AITA ?
Kinda need more specifics on what he’s cooking to make a judgment. Durian yeah is over the line. “Anything that smells strong” is not a reasonable standard though — most cooking smells strong in some way. “Exotic” makes me think there’s maybe a little xenophobia going on here. Ventilation is your friend. I’ll say ESH.
Yeah, I get that most cooking smells, but we’re talking durian, fermented fish, and other super pungent foods that make the whole apartment unbearable. I just want him to ventilate or cook outside-not ban all cooking.
I’m thinking those saying YTA have never smelled a durian. It is against the law to even carry them on public transport in Singapore due to the horrific smell. So no he shouldn’t be cooking that in an apartment where anyone who doesn’t care for its “unusual” aroma has to smell it. NTA.
Durian is the worst smell!!
Came here to say this. It’s my partners favorite fruit but it’s hard to get so whenever he buys some I just put ear plugs up my nostrils and stay on the other side of the apartment
Yeah durian is pretty awful. I wonder where OP and the roommate live that they have access to fresh durian lol
They’re banned in most hotels in southeast Asia.
Isn’t the kitchen shared space, why is he saying it’s his own space?
NTA. Kitchens have exhaust fans for a reason, he might need a demonstration on how it works and how to crack a window. ETA, you don’t get to ban him from cooking certain foods but maybe ask for a heads up if there is something that turns your stomach.
NTA
It’s not ‘his own’ space. It’s a SHARED space. It’s best to try and come to an agreement, or just open windows and blow a fan while he cooks.
For those who are unfamiliar with the smell of Durian, thank your Gods. There is a reason Durian is verboten in public places in Asia.
NTA
It smells like natural gas. We thought we had a gas leak at work once and it turned out to be my coworkers smoothie. It was overpowering and just reeked.
Then it was cold or slightly cold if it was in a smoothie. If it had been warm you would have described it as sweaty ass and nasty gym socks, or worse.
Doing “whatever I want” is for children. Being respectful of flatmates is for adults.
NTA
Any asshole in here trying to vote YTA or ESH doesn’t know that durian is so foul it’s literally banned in the majority of enclosed public spaces in countries where the fruit grows and is regularly. Cooking with durian in shared living spaces is akin to chemical warfare against your roommates.