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Person Prepares A Surprise For Food-Thieving Roommate, She Falls Right Into Their Trap
Living with roommates has its ups and downs, namely, lower costs but also the fact that you have to share stuff with strangers. Sometimes you end up friends with these folks, other times they are walking nightmares. From unwashed dishes and loud snores, to outright theft, having roommates tends to keep people on their toes.
A woman asked the internet if she was wrong to lay a chili-infused trap for a roommate who would not stop stealing her food. We reached out to the woman who shared the story online via private message and will update the article when she gets back to us.
RELATED:
Having your food stolen is a top-tier annoyance
Image credits: cottonbro studio (not the actual photo)
So one woman decided to use her thieving roommates lack of spice tolerance against her
Image credits: Klaus Nielsen (not the actual photo)
Image credits: Timur Weber (not the actual photo)
Image source: Paxx-chan
Spiciness was developed as a defense against consumption, but it never stopped us humans
Image credits: Payoon Gerinto (not the actual photo)
There is a special biological irony that most peppers developed capsaicin, the chemical responsible for their “spice” as a defense mechanism against rodents. Other mammals, such as ourselves, are also affected, as anyone who has unwittingly chowed down on a jalapeño can attest to. Incidentally, birds are actually “immune” to it, as they literally lack the receptors capsaicin locks onto.
However, this has not really deterred humans in the long run. First and foremost, our ancestors needed to eat and would generally consume whatever was available. After all, if your choices are starvation or a bit of pain in your mouth for an hour or so, nearly everyone would eat the chili.
Over time, this has even created a preference for spice. After all, it adds a lot of flavor to food. While we are positively spoiled for flavor now, in the past most staples would be rather bland, so anything that takes it up a notch was worth its weight in gold. One has only to remember the fortunes made by selling spices in the 16th century.
For those who can handle it, there is also a thrill associated with trying hotter and hotter peppers. Some researchers believe that the idea of “surviving” the spiciness is actually a major draw. Plus there are bragging rights, as its people even compete to handle the worst chilis out there.
Food theft is a major problem
Image credits: Getty Images (not the actual photo)
However, as this story demonstrates, some folks can’t handle the heat at all. While in this day and age, not being able to handle black pepper is rare, there are still folks who are just over sensitive. While the roommate in this story is clearly the villain, let’s also take a moment to consider just how hard it is to live if you can’t handle the slightest bit of spice. No pepper, no chili, no paprika.
It’s also hard to avoid if you ever eat out, unless the restaurant is downright terrible. The vast majority of dishes use, at minimum, salt and pepper for seasoning. This also begs the question, if Amy can’t even handle black pepper, how is she stealing this woman’s food and ordering takeout all the time?
Setting aside the chilis “hidden” in the carbonara, this is a dish that will often have a healthy dose of black pepper. So we might have to assume that Amy does have more of a tolerance than this woman will admit. However, it’s entirely possible to be fine with black pepper and still get overwhelmed with real hot peppers.
At the end of the day, this is still a pretty surefire way to make sure her food isn’t stolen again, although at the cost of now having an entirely hostile roommate. There is little to no chance there will be any legal action, unless Amy is willing to lose a lot of money, but it’s also worth considering the risks of antagonizing a person already willing to steal and who has the disposable income for takeout.
Most thought her actions were totally justified
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What do you think ?
Bowtechie 2 weeks ago
It's sad there's such a large number of grown adults that apparently need a remedial kindergarten class in "keep your mitts off my stuff".
LakotaWolf (she/her) 2 weeks ago
I don't understand the mental gyrations/gymnastics that these kind of people do to justify eating someone else's food. "They made it for me"? "Everything in the world is mine"? "Ehh they won't care"? Or do these kind of people even think at all? XD I always wonder that when I read "my roommate steals my food" or "my co-worker steals my lunch at work" stories.
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Say No to Downvoting 2 weeks ago
I just…I just can’t wrap my mind around the kind of mentality that not only thinks it’s okay to nick someone else’s food but seems to think it is justified to then complain when said food doesn’t agree with them. How do they survive the world with this kind of thinking?
Trillian 1 week ago
I mean right? Even if she HAD made it rotten on purpose, how about you don't steal, then you won't have a problem?
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The Phantom Stranger 2 weeks ago
Criminally, OP is in the clear: she could only be charged if she had put laxatives, toxins, or known allergens in the food knowing the roommate would eat it. Making extra spicy food isn't a crime even if she knew the roommate was going to eat it in spite of the warnings. Civilly, OP could potentially be sued, but it would be a hard sell to a jury, particularly given the circumstances and the repeated warnings. Closest analogy I can think of is that, I have a dumpster at work that has repeatedly been broken into--people have even gone so far as to cut the lock. I now have signs posted on all four sides of the enclosure that says "No Trespassing --Private Property." It doesn't keep people from breaking in, but if they happen to get hurt, they can't turn around and sue my store because they ignored the posted signs. Same circumstances with the spicy food: roommate chose to ignore multiple warnings not to eat it--including one that specifically stated that it was spicy--so whatever happens
WonderWoman 1 week ago
Civilly you can be sued for anything. OP doesn't have to worry Even if he put laxatives in his food. Teach the roommate to keep their hands off other people's stuff.
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Nadine Lynch 2 weeks ago
"Amy" is also playing the part. Spicy food causing an upset tummy for a day? Sure. Being sick for "several" days? Unlikely. She milking this and exaggerating, probably because she hasn't studied for her finals either :-)
Janissary35680 2 weeks ago (edited)
Maybe, maybe not. I've seen some pretty strong reactions to spiced food. And then of course there's the emotional reaction to being caught out and made a fool of. That burn can last a long time. 😄
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Jenna Kay 2 weeks ago
Long ago, my husband had a food thief roommate. He literally had to buy lockboxs to put his food in to stop the theft, one for the fridge and one for dry goods. The roommate kept saying it wasn't him, but his friends that were doing it. However, the roommate got angry when he discovered the lockboxes and my hubby wouldn't tell him the combinations!
Matt 1 week ago
This is a made up story? OP says "I love spice, it's what puts colour in my life" ...and so surely *most* of the food she makes is spicy? But she claims Amy can't handle *any* spice at all. And yet is *always* eating her food? This is a clumsily made up story.
Papa 1 week ago (edited)
I don't usually jump to the conclusion that the stories we see here are fiction, but I agree. This one doesn't make sense.
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Breadcrumb. 2 weeks ago
So many times she said "don't eat", even said this time "spicy! Don't eat".
Deborah B 1 week ago
Sounds like you need consistantly spicy food, and a lockbox for your food. Or a new roommate. Also, it sounds like you need to be explicit in the group chat. "I am struggling financially. I can't afford to get take out. I have to budget carefully and meal prep to afford decent food. I can't afford to feed anyone else as well. Maybe you are just feeling lazy, and can't be bothered to cook. You might think you are just causing me a mild inconvenience, you are not. You are literally taking my food, and leaving me to go hungry." It won't deter a determined food thief, but it may get the rest of your flatmates to understand the severity of the problem for you, and pressure her in to stopping.
Traveling Lady Railfan 1 week ago
Honestly and simply explaining that "I'm on a strict financial budget, the food I make is for myself, I'm really sorry I can't make it communal food, I simply can't afford it, That's why when you take my food, I get so upset about it" may not do much for entitled folk like Amy, but you're right, it may invoke empathy or at the least, understanding, from the other roommates. So if sides are going to be picked, at least they understand why OP doesn't like to share. I agree with you. It's usually better to be honest about most things. Just like he was honest about spicing up the food. Very obvious about it. She just chose to ignore all warnings and, suffer the consequences. No sympathy for her.
Load More Replies... Traveling Lady Railfan 1 week ago
Take photographs of the containers in her room take photographs of the containers in the fridge that has your notes on it "do not eat. This is mine. This is spicy." Take screenshots of the messages that you posted in the group chat. Just document that you've done everything you can to tell people a) do not eat my food b) my food is going to be spicy c) DO NOT EAT MY FOOD And there you go. And don't call it a prank. Be very careful with words you use. It wasn't a prank. You were preparing your meals for the week, you happen to love spicy food, your roommate who is a known food stealer was warned multiple times in writing as well as verbally not to take your food. She took your food.
Anony Mouse 1 week ago
Someone who can't handle black pepper ate "quite a bit" of a spicy chili dish without noticing it was spicy? Sounds true to me.
Phil Green 1 week ago
My wife is actually allergic to chilis, so when I prepare curries and chilis, I make her something else. I don't even use the same board that I prepare my food on, for her. But if Amy continued stealing, despite the warnings, that's her look-out. When did this so-called poisoning occur? There were labels on everything and the OP seems to be immune to the poison! I'd get in touch with the boyfriend's dad and let him know she has been threatened and give him all the evidence of his a***wipe son!
Jackie Lulu 1 week ago
Legally, you are in the clear, but I'd be concerned about retaliation (other than the lawsuit kind). Be on guard.
Nitka Tsar 1 week ago (edited)
Honestly, if I were in her place, my food would be ALWAYS spicy from then on. Eff Amy. She has the money to get her own food obviously, so don‘t steal from poorer folks! Cow
Guess Undheit 1 week ago
Even if it were a lethal allergen, it's not "poisoning" or "assault". It is edible food to the person that made it. The thief is responsible for their own actions after being told not to eat it, not the owner of the food.
DC 1 week ago
Amy sounds like a fun roommate. Aren't there, like, things she simply doesn't like? Asparagus, for example, would prevent me from stealing, if I were a food thief, because I hate it. If you repeat the spicy tactic over and over, she might find out that the tolerance towards this is easy to train, and might simply do so. But ... NTA, if that even was a question.
Abraxas59 2 weeks ago
NTA serves Amy right ! She had it coming lol and she was warned it was spicy but the dumb idiot still nicked it ! Only person at flaunt is Amy as for the bf threading his daddy on her lmfo pathetic twat bring it on I’d say cos she’s done nothing wrong t ll her bloody food not Amy’s ergo Amy’s fault totally
AisForRebel 2 weeks ago
Sounds like you need to find a new place, since his dad is a cop I would make sure you have a recording (I don't know what state you're in but most states are one party to know that a conversation is being recorded ) and have her admit that she stole your food and you can clap right back at her for theft, it would only be a misdemeanor since the amount was so low but you gave written warnings not to steal your food so I would happily play hardball in that regards.
María Hermida 3 days ago
Why does OP feel sorry for her flatmate? OP is on a budget, but Amy doesn't seem sorry to steal her food from her. It serves her right. Perhaps she'll learn to behave like a decent human being and she'll stop stealing other people's food..
Steve Robert 1 week ago
I'm amazed that five girls, and possibly a boyfriend or two, live together without committing homicide! Especially not being family. And with as someone who thinks black pepper is hot....
Chris the Bobcat 1 week ago
Iocane can't be tasted, can't be smelled, and one can build a tolerance to lethal levels over time. Shame it isn't real.
Kerry Fletcher 1 week ago
I'm going to say this. This petty stuff will eventually kill someone. She nicked your stuff? Move out. Find a better place or lock up your food. Get a mini fridge with a lock. One day someone will be allergic to your prank and die.
Mad McQueen 1 week ago
Play stupid games and win stupid prizes. I'm sure her dad knowing she was taking your budgeted food rations and ignoring the texts and notes not to eat it will have him more on your side. She's not a good roommate. And luckily ya did have two bathrooms.
Petra Schaap 1 week ago
i would be looking for a way to kick her out. Its not that its impossible to find a new roomie. Also just sue her.
Bowtechie 2 weeks ago
It's sad there's such a large number of grown adults that apparently need a remedial kindergarten class in "keep your mitts off my stuff".
LakotaWolf (she/her) 2 weeks ago
I don't understand the mental gyrations/gymnastics that these kind of people do to justify eating someone else's food. "They made it for me"? "Everything in the world is mine"? "Ehh they won't care"? Or do these kind of people even think at all? XD I always wonder that when I read "my roommate steals my food" or "my co-worker steals my lunch at work" stories.
Load More Replies... Say No to Downvoting 2 weeks ago
I just…I just can’t wrap my mind around the kind of mentality that not only thinks it’s okay to nick someone else’s food but seems to think it is justified to then complain when said food doesn’t agree with them. How do they survive the world with this kind of thinking?
Trillian 1 week ago
I mean right? Even if she HAD made it rotten on purpose, how about you don't steal, then you won't have a problem?
Load More Replies... The Phantom Stranger 2 weeks ago
Criminally, OP is in the clear: she could only be charged if she had put laxatives, toxins, or known allergens in the food knowing the roommate would eat it. Making extra spicy food isn't a crime even if she knew the roommate was going to eat it in spite of the warnings. Civilly, OP could potentially be sued, but it would be a hard sell to a jury, particularly given the circumstances and the repeated warnings. Closest analogy I can think of is that, I have a dumpster at work that has repeatedly been broken into--people have even gone so far as to cut the lock. I now have signs posted on all four sides of the enclosure that says "No Trespassing --Private Property." It doesn't keep people from breaking in, but if they happen to get hurt, they can't turn around and sue my store because they ignored the posted signs. Same circumstances with the spicy food: roommate chose to ignore multiple warnings not to eat it--including one that specifically stated that it was spicy--so whatever happens
WonderWoman 1 week ago
Civilly you can be sued for anything. OP doesn't have to worry Even if he put laxatives in his food. Teach the roommate to keep their hands off other people's stuff.
Load More Replies... Nadine Lynch 2 weeks ago
"Amy" is also playing the part. Spicy food causing an upset tummy for a day? Sure. Being sick for "several" days? Unlikely. She milking this and exaggerating, probably because she hasn't studied for her finals either :-)
Janissary35680 2 weeks ago (edited)
Maybe, maybe not. I've seen some pretty strong reactions to spiced food. And then of course there's the emotional reaction to being caught out and made a fool of. That burn can last a long time. 😄
Load More Replies... Jenna Kay 2 weeks ago
Long ago, my husband had a food thief roommate. He literally had to buy lockboxs to put his food in to stop the theft, one for the fridge and one for dry goods. The roommate kept saying it wasn't him, but his friends that were doing it. However, the roommate got angry when he discovered the lockboxes and my hubby wouldn't tell him the combinations!
Matt 1 week ago
This is a made up story? OP says "I love spice, it's what puts colour in my life" ...and so surely *most* of the food she makes is spicy? But she claims Amy can't handle *any* spice at all. And yet is *always* eating her food? This is a clumsily made up story.
Papa 1 week ago (edited)
I don't usually jump to the conclusion that the stories we see here are fiction, but I agree. This one doesn't make sense.
Load More Replies... Breadcrumb. 2 weeks ago
So many times she said "don't eat", even said this time "spicy! Don't eat".
Deborah B 1 week ago
Sounds like you need consistantly spicy food, and a lockbox for your food. Or a new roommate. Also, it sounds like you need to be explicit in the group chat. "I am struggling financially. I can't afford to get take out. I have to budget carefully and meal prep to afford decent food. I can't afford to feed anyone else as well. Maybe you are just feeling lazy, and can't be bothered to cook. You might think you are just causing me a mild inconvenience, you are not. You are literally taking my food, and leaving me to go hungry." It won't deter a determined food thief, but it may get the rest of your flatmates to understand the severity of the problem for you, and pressure her in to stopping.
Traveling Lady Railfan 1 week ago
Honestly and simply explaining that "I'm on a strict financial budget, the food I make is for myself, I'm really sorry I can't make it communal food, I simply can't afford it, That's why when you take my food, I get so upset about it" may not do much for entitled folk like Amy, but you're right, it may invoke empathy or at the least, understanding, from the other roommates. So if sides are going to be picked, at least they understand why OP doesn't like to share. I agree with you. It's usually better to be honest about most things. Just like he was honest about spicing up the food. Very obvious about it. She just chose to ignore all warnings and, suffer the consequences. No sympathy for her.
Load More Replies... Traveling Lady Railfan 1 week ago
Take photographs of the containers in her room take photographs of the containers in the fridge that has your notes on it "do not eat. This is mine. This is spicy." Take screenshots of the messages that you posted in the group chat. Just document that you've done everything you can to tell people a) do not eat my food b) my food is going to be spicy c) DO NOT EAT MY FOOD And there you go. And don't call it a prank. Be very careful with words you use. It wasn't a prank. You were preparing your meals for the week, you happen to love spicy food, your roommate who is a known food stealer was warned multiple times in writing as well as verbally not to take your food. She took your food.
Anony Mouse 1 week ago
Someone who can't handle black pepper ate "quite a bit" of a spicy chili dish without noticing it was spicy? Sounds true to me.
Phil Green 1 week ago
My wife is actually allergic to chilis, so when I prepare curries and chilis, I make her something else. I don't even use the same board that I prepare my food on, for her. But if Amy continued stealing, despite the warnings, that's her look-out. When did this so-called poisoning occur? There were labels on everything and the OP seems to be immune to the poison! I'd get in touch with the boyfriend's dad and let him know she has been threatened and give him all the evidence of his a***wipe son!
Jackie Lulu 1 week ago
Legally, you are in the clear, but I'd be concerned about retaliation (other than the lawsuit kind). Be on guard.
Nitka Tsar 1 week ago (edited)
Honestly, if I were in her place, my food would be ALWAYS spicy from then on. Eff Amy. She has the money to get her own food obviously, so don‘t steal from poorer folks! Cow
Guess Undheit 1 week ago
Even if it were a lethal allergen, it's not "poisoning" or "assault". It is edible food to the person that made it. The thief is responsible for their own actions after being told not to eat it, not the owner of the food.
DC 1 week ago
Amy sounds like a fun roommate. Aren't there, like, things she simply doesn't like? Asparagus, for example, would prevent me from stealing, if I were a food thief, because I hate it. If you repeat the spicy tactic over and over, she might find out that the tolerance towards this is easy to train, and might simply do so. But ... NTA, if that even was a question.
Abraxas59 2 weeks ago
NTA serves Amy right ! She had it coming lol and she was warned it was spicy but the dumb idiot still nicked it ! Only person at flaunt is Amy as for the bf threading his daddy on her lmfo pathetic twat bring it on I’d say cos she’s done nothing wrong t ll her bloody food not Amy’s ergo Amy’s fault totally
AisForRebel 2 weeks ago
Sounds like you need to find a new place, since his dad is a cop I would make sure you have a recording (I don't know what state you're in but most states are one party to know that a conversation is being recorded ) and have her admit that she stole your food and you can clap right back at her for theft, it would only be a misdemeanor since the amount was so low but you gave written warnings not to steal your food so I would happily play hardball in that regards.
María Hermida 3 days ago
Why does OP feel sorry for her flatmate? OP is on a budget, but Amy doesn't seem sorry to steal her food from her. It serves her right. Perhaps she'll learn to behave like a decent human being and she'll stop stealing other people's food..
Steve Robert 1 week ago
I'm amazed that five girls, and possibly a boyfriend or two, live together without committing homicide! Especially not being family. And with as someone who thinks black pepper is hot....
Chris the Bobcat 1 week ago
Iocane can't be tasted, can't be smelled, and one can build a tolerance to lethal levels over time. Shame it isn't real.
Kerry Fletcher 1 week ago
I'm going to say this. This petty stuff will eventually kill someone. She nicked your stuff? Move out. Find a better place or lock up your food. Get a mini fridge with a lock. One day someone will be allergic to your prank and die.
Mad McQueen 1 week ago
Play stupid games and win stupid prizes. I'm sure her dad knowing she was taking your budgeted food rations and ignoring the texts and notes not to eat it will have him more on your side. She's not a good roommate. And luckily ya did have two bathrooms.
Petra Schaap 1 week ago
i would be looking for a way to kick her out. Its not that its impossible to find a new roomie. Also just sue her.
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