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.

Having your food stolen is a top-tier annoyance

Person slicing red pepper on wooden board, setting a trap for food-thieving roommate.

Image credits: cottonbro studio (not the actual photo)

So one woman decided to use her thieving roommates lack of spice tolerance against her

Text post about a food-thieving roommate eating meal prepped food, sparking a dispute over spicy surprise tactics.

Text about budgeting and meal prepping amid rising food prices.

Text reveals plan to catch food-thieving roommate using spicy trap.

Text message warning roommate about spicy food trap for food-thief.

Text describing a prank with spicy food, involving jalapenos and red chilies, prepared for a food-thieving roommate.

A person stirs a steaming pot of food, setting a trap for their food-thieving roommate.

Image credits: Klaus Nielsen (not the actual photo)

Text about setting a spicy food trap for a thieving roommate who couldn't handle the spice.

Text about a food-thieving roommate falling into a spicy trap, describing her rushing to drink milk after eating spicy food.

Text describing a roommate getting sick after food-thieving mishap, with her boyfriend confronting the situation.

Text image discussing a food plan involving a roommate with food-theft accusations.

Text conversation about setting a trap for a food-thieving roommate with warning messages.

Text message recounting a tense situation about a roommate; mentions legal threats and continuing daily life despite fears.

Text about roommate's reaction to a surprise trap for food-thieving behavior.

Person frustrated after food theft, holding head with hands.

Image credits: Timur Weber (not the actual photo)

Text discussing a prank set for a food-thieving roommate before test time.

Image source: Paxx-chan

Spiciness was developed as a defense against consumption, but it never stopped us humans

Assorted chili peppers arranged on plates over a bamboo surface, showcasing a vibrant and spicy collection.

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

Roommate checks fridge, unaware of surprise trap set in kitchen with vegetables on counter.

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

Comment suggesting a countersuit for food theft and court fees.

Comment from Bitbatgaming: "NTA, she made her own bed, so she has to lie in it," on a roommate food theft post.

Text exchange about roommate conflict and food theft strategy.

Reddit comment supporting a food-thieving roommate trap, saying "NTA. She shouldn't be stealing from you.

Comment about dealing with a food-thieving roommate by reporting to the police, gaining 134 points.

Text exchange about a person dealing with a food-thieving roommate, discussing adding spicy ingredients as a deterrent.

Comment discussing a strategy for dealing with a food-thieving roommate, mentioning legal repercussions.

Text discussing a theft report related to a food-thieving roommate prank.

Comment about a cop's inability to take action, possibly in a humorous trap context.

Online comment about a food-thieving roommate, suggesting to document threats for social media exposure.

Reddit comment advising to take pictures for proof in a situation involving a food-thieving roommate.

Forum comment discussing a food-thieving roommate getting trapped.

Reddit comment about a spicy food trap set for a food-thieving roommate.

Commenter's reaction to food-thieving roommate's trap.

Comment highlights humorous advice on dealing with a food-thieving roommate.

Reddit comment about food-theft, justifying a roommate’s actions against a food-thieving roommate.

Comment advising on dealing with a food-thieving roommate's booby trap incident.

Comment discussing a prank on a food-thieving roommate, suggesting she learned a lesson.

Text exchange discusses a plan to confront a food-thieving roommate about repeated thefts.

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