Weird question: Roommates and Food

[BadDad]

I know this is a weird question (or Dear Abby-like) but I gotta ask.

I lived in a college dorm (never off-campus apartment), so I don't know the how to handle.

My son is now in the WDWCP. Before he left he was advised by his cousins who lived in off-campus college apartments, to "label your food" from the start. We took it as good advice.

My S moved in, 4 of his roommates (3-bedroom) did not label their food. In fact, one of the parents told them it doesn't matter "cuz they'll end up stealing each other's food anyways"

I think marking your stuff avoids problems. I can only imagine what could happen if someone working a 16 hour day (double shift) came back to find their food was eaten by their roommates.

Comments appreciated! What is the best?

 

[xoSarah]

I'm not exactly sure what your question is, but I always labeled my food. I did it on my first CP and when I was at school. When I started my second CP, I was the only one of my roommates who labeled my food. I did it to protect myself from accidentally taking someone else's food, but none of my roommate's marked theirs. So I would still recommend initialing or stickering your food, but that doesn't necessarily mean someone won't take it (unfortunately). Also, try to have a good rep with your roommates. You don't have to like them or be friends with them but if you're at least friendly with them, they might be less likely to purposely steal your food.

 

[SportsChick]

That alone was one of my reasons for choosing a 1 BR. My roommate would borrow an egg or two but would always leave a note and replace them. Other than that, we never had issues with food. I know that some of my friends in larger apartments had problems even with labels

 

[Haveamagicalday!]

During my CP I didn't label most of my food. We had certain shelves for each person and that seemed to work well. However, we did have an issue about halfway through with frozen dinners. I think people forgot which ones they bought, so people kept accidently eating them. Then we decided to label them.

I would say just keep communication open. We didn't have a lot of problems and there were eight girls in that apartment! haha If he does label his food, then I would just recommend that he tell his roommates, just to keep it open and calm. That way they won't feel like he's accusing them of something before they even do it.

I say that because I have had some pretty rude roommates in the past who hurt others feelings by labeling their food.

 

[BadDad]

Thanks for the response.

My son wanted a 2 bedroom apt at Vista but he said he was assigned a 3 bedroom. Was he asleep at the wheel?

 

[xoSarah]

Thanks for the response.

My son wanted a 2 bedroom apt at Vista but he said he was assigned a 3 bedroom. Was he asleep at the wheel?

Sometimes what you want isn't always available.

 

[mare07]

It's true, sometimes you don't get a choice when it comes to Disney housing. When it comes to roommates and food it pays to get to know your roommates and have open communication. I lived in a 3 bedroom and we did the same thing as someone else mentioned and split up the shelves. Plus, we decided to share all the condiments (no sense in having 6 bottles of ketchup!). We did the same thing in my off-campus apartment. Most of my friends didn't have issues with food and stealing in their apartments whether or not someone decided to label their food or not. As long as you spend some of the first weeks getting to know one another (almost everyone is in the same boat as your son in moving down to FL and jumping into something new) most of the issues can be resolved early.

 

[DOPEYLUVER]

I know this is a weird question (or Dear Abby-like) but I gotta ask.

My son is now in the WDWCP. Before he left he was advised by his cousins who lived in off-campus college apartments, to "label your food" from the start. We took it as good advice.

My S moved in, 4 of his roommates (3-bedroom) did not label their food. In fact, one of the parents told them it doesn't matter "cuz they'll end up stealing each other's food anyways"

Comments appreciated! What is the best?

I really think it best for you to stay out of it. There are things that will drive him nuts about his roommates. If misappropropriated food isn't one of his things, don't give him the idea.

My daughter moved into Vista where there is only one internet connection. She and the roommates decided to buy a router together. One of the roommates didn't want to contribute. When asked if she had a laptop she responded that she did. So she had every intention of using the router just not paying for it. I went out of my mind giving my daughter suggestions about securing it, requiring a password, etc. While the roommates were not thrilled, that the one hadn't contributed they just didn't want to make that big of a deal of it.

 

[delmar411]

Maybe have your son simply address the matter with his roommates like this:

'my dad is driving me nuts with this labeling the food thing. Do you all think we need to do that or can we manage to split up the fridge and cabinets on our own? It might be easier to just label food though...what do you think?'

Simple conversation and he lets them know it's you who planted the seed in his head.

 

[BadDad]

Actually it was his cousin (they are in their late 20s and early 30s) who planted the idea in his head. They lived off-campus for years.

For 18-year olds who never lived outside of their home (Where mommie and daddy buys the groceries) or who haven't talked with someone close to their own age about living with others, it may seem weird to them.

My college dorm years there was this problem because we have a dining hall.

I figure when spring break comes, and the boys will be working 12-16 hours for days straight, someone will accidently eat the others food then they'll end their free-for-all system real quick.