A man took to Reddit after his roommate accused him of using his Southern charm to impress his girlfriend. The Southern man argued he was simply being warm and hospitable – how he’s been raised – but his roommate felt differently. Was he being insecure? Or are they both at fault? Here’s the story:
The Background
The original poster (OP) begins by explaining they grew up in the South. He was brought up in the kitchen, cooking delicious southern fare with his mom. He’s now at culinary school on the east coast, honing his craft.
He Has a Roommate
OP’s been renting a house with another guy of a similar age (early twenties). They’re not friends per se, but they get on well mostly and hang out together on a semi-frequent basis. OP’s more of an introvert naturally, but he’s got that classic Southern charm that makes it easy to make friends. As it happens, that might be part of the problem that’s developed recently…
His Roommate Has a Girlfriend
His roommate has been dating a girl for the last 6 months. OP’s met her once and twice before, but she just ended up staying with them for 2 entire weeks during a school break. No problem. OP just got on with things as he normally would. But then his roommate started being weird…
Odd Encounters Ensued
The first odd encounter came when OP went to mow the lawn – a job he always does. His roommate stopped him from doing it, saying he wanted to mow instead.
Then, a day or two later, OP was washing his car. Out of kindness, he offered to wash their cars (the roommate’s and his girlfriend’s) too. It seemed like she was going to take him up on the offer, but the roommate gave her a death stare so they declined.
The Weirdness Continued
Things only got worse from there. As you might expect from someone at culinary school, OP cooks a lot at home and often lets his roommate help himself to whatever he’s made. However, whenever OP offered food to the roommate and his girlfriend, he’d just get angry.
It’s Just How OP Was Raised
OP wasn’t doing anything out of the ordinary. He was being kind and offering to help because that’s how he was raised. For example, when his roommate’s girlfriend had visited them a few weeks prior, she’d mentioned that she loves a particular type of cheesecake. Remembering this, OP decided to make it for everyone while she was staying with them. Once again, this didn’t go down will with the roommate.
He’s Not Trying to Make Anyone Look Bad
OP’s treating the roommate’s girlfriend as he would any other guest. But it seems like they interpret it the wrong way, as if OP’s trying to make him look bad.
For instance, he baked fresh bread and left it out for everyone to enjoy. His roommate said how annoying it was to hear his girlfriend talking about how good it tasted. And he had a similar reaction when OP: asked if anyone wanted anything from the grocery store, offered the girlfriend the best bits from the pan when he was frying up some chicken, and even when he changed his car’s oil.
Time For a New Roommate?
To begin with, OP didn’t think too much of his roommate’s complaints. After all, he tries to see the best in people. Yet now that’s beginning to change. He “feels like [he] can’t even exist while [the girlfriend] is here” because his roommate’s getting so annoyed at everything. Heck, OP recently got a text from them saying it’s bad that he looks in the girl’s eyes when they’re talking…
Reddit’s Firmly On His Side
OP turned to Reddit to see whether people thought he was doing anything wrong. Spoiler alert: they definitely didn’t. The final verdict came out firmly on OP’s side. His roommate was just frustrated by how high OP was setting the bar. Here’s what people had to say:
He’s Being Ridiculous
The most upvoted comment said, “You are raising a bar he doesn’t want raised by getting things done. He wants to pretend he is a better partner than he is. He also doesn’t want you to highlight things he isn’t interested in doing. In a way, you are unintentionally showing that he isn’t the best partner material around. Keep doing as you are. He is being ridiculous.”
Others Want OP In Their Family
One Redditor chimed in with a tongue-in-cheek request: “Hello, my wife (38f) and I (42f) are looking to onboard an additional son, and especially a son-chef. We have two now, ages 2 and 4. They are very into bread and sometimes other foods. They will watch shows with you (big into Spiderman)…I think my family is a much better fit than your current roommate.”
The Roommate’s Scared
Others thought the roommate was just jealous and insecure. One wrote:
“So he’s okay with you feeding him, but has a problem when you offer to feed his gf who just happens to be in the house. It’s not like you only cook when she’s there. Why? Is he afraid you’re gonna steal her with food?…You sound like a great roomie. You mow and offered to wash their cars? Who does that? You’re like southern hospitality on steroids.”
Who’s In the Wrong?
What do you think? Is OP overstepping a line by treating his roommate’s girlfriend so nicely? Should he take a step back and respect what they’re saying? Or is the roommate being childish? Are they just annoyed about being shown up in front of their gf? Is the onus on them to step up? Drop a comment with your thoughts.
READ MORE DRAMA LIKE THIS BY CLICKING RIGHT:
His Wife Threw Him a Birthday Party He Didn’t Want. She Burst Into Tears When He Told Her. Who’s In the Wrong?
He wanted a relaxed day at home for his birthday. His emotional wife decided to throw him a big party. Now she’s upset at him for being unhappy about it. But does she have a leg to stand on?
His Unstable Mom Refuses to Accept His New Girlfriend. He Finally Snapped. What Happened Next Divides Opinion
A Reddit user’s controlling mom got drunk and was verbally abusive to his new girlfriend, who she refused to accept. He responded angrily. Should he apologize first, like his dad says he should? Click below for the full story.
An Obnoxious Customer Insults the Cashier Then Suffers Instant Karma
On one of the busiest shopping days of the year, an obnoxious customer comes in asking for a super awkward request. After being rude and insulting, the universe steps in with instant karma. Click below for the story.
AN OBNOXIOUS CUSTOMER INSULTS THE CASHIER THEN SUFFERS INSTANT KARMA
Angry Boss Fires Worker for No Reason, Then Suffers Instant (And Expensive) Karma.
After getting fired for refusing an unfair request, someone recently turned to Reddit to express their glee at the instant karma suffered by their (now ex) boss. That one unfair decision to sack his employee cost the owner tens of thousands of dollars. Here’s what happened…
ANGRY BOSS FIRES WORKER FOR NO REASON, THEN SUFFERS INSTANT (AND EXPENSIVE) KARMA.
She Thought His Proposal Was a Prank after Seeing the Ring. Now She’s Refusing to Talk to Him. What Should He Do?
A man designs a special ring to propose to his girlfriend, but she yells, cries, and stops talking to him when she saw it. Click below for the story.
The images in this article in no way represent anyone featured in the article.
Source: Reddit.