I’m 18 and I went to Mexico in December with my cousin. We shared a room the whole trip. It wasn’t super hot but we were still walking around all day and sharing beds and stuff. My cousin doesn’t shower every day. I didn’t know this before the trip. After a few days the room started to smell and it made me uncomfortable since we were sharing such a small space. I asked him if he could shower every day while we were there just to keep things clean. He got mad and said I was being disrespectful and that it s his body and his choice. I wasn’t trying to control him, I just didn’t want to sleep in a room that smelled bad for the rest of the trip. Now he’s still annoyed with me and says I was out of line. I feel awkward about it but I also feel like it was a fair thing to ask.
So reddit, AITA?
NTA. If the smell is that bad, there’s no way he doesn’t know he stinks. Can you get another room just for yourself?
It’s not that he doesn’t know imo, its more like he’s just too lazy to do ANYTHING about it. We were all packed in my family’s house for the trip so all the rooms were filled. Some nights I genuinely contemplated sleeping in the living room couch.
NTA. Yes it’s “his body his choice” but that doesn’t mean he’s free from consequences. If he’s acting like this, just refuse to travel with him in the future.
I’d be willing to travel with him in the future. He’s a really nice cousin. It’s just that maybe next time I’ll try to make better sleeping arrangements with my family in the future.
Co-opting of phrases related to women’s right to reproductive decision-making feels in relation to other issues really weird to me in general, especially when it’s done by men.
Nta first time away from home in college, I wasn’t aware that my laundry piling up was making a stink for my roommate. After a bit she politely brought the issue up and I changed the habit. That’s what you do when you share a small spot with someone.
Stinky needs to have a separate room and separate table when dining
NTA – your cousin is nasty AF. But now you know for next time, separate rooms IS A MUST.
NTA. Sharing a small space means being considerate. Basic hygiene isn’t a personal choice when it affects others
NTA.
18 can still be quite stinky. Yes legally an adult but the hormones are somewhat still teenager (an older teen of course) and all the smells are quite strong. Even after going through the hormone period etc a 30 year old can stink. Ew.
NTA. B.O. is so gross. I would have asked too. But, he’s right that ultimately it’s his decision. If he brings it up again, say “Bro, you stunk I asked, you said no. Now drop it.”
NTA. I got accused once of being insensitive because I was in charge of ejecting people from a coffee house I worked at. Yes, the majority of these folks were likely homeless. They were also possessed of an odour that made other people sick in the small seating area. That is not okay.