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Woman Demands Roommate Adhere To ‘No Alcohol’ Rule, Loses Her Place To Live Instead
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Woman Demands Roommate Adhere To ‘No Alcohol’ Rule, Loses Her Place To Live Instead

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Battling addiction is a very serious challenge. So, the support of your social circle can be invaluable. Having said that, there are practical limits. For example, it would be slightly unfair to demand that everyone you ever meet overhaul their entire lives just to make you less likely to relapse. The world usually doesn’t work that way.

One anonymous woman opened up about how she and her roommate got into a massive argument. The OP’s roommate, who is a huge people-pleaser and a “relationship chameleon,” suddenly demanded that they ban all alcohol at home. This happened because she got into a relationship with a man who was a recovering alcoholic. Read on for the full story and an important update, as well as the advice the AITA online community shared with the author.

The reality is that some people completely change their character when they date someone new. This can be hard for their friends to handle

Image credits: RDNE Stock project / Pexels (not the actual photo)

One woman opened up about how her roommate tried to ban drinking alcohol at home because she got into a relationship with a sober man

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Image credits: Taryn Elliott / Pexels (not the actual photo)

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Image credits: Liza Summer / Pexels (not the actual photo)

The author later had a short update for her readers

Image credits: Beingbtchy

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Image credits: Liza Summer / Pexels (not the actual photo)

The roommate made it seem as though the author of the story had no choice but to listen to her demands

Unfortunately, the author’s Reddit account was suspended for unknown reasons, so we were unable to reach out to her. Let’s get to grips with a few simple things right off the bat. It is absolutely lovely that the OP’s roommate decided to stop drinking in order to stand in solidarity with her new boyfriend, who is a recovering alcoholic. Setting some other questions aside for a moment, it’s a very nice thing to do.

It also would have been kind if the author of the post had done the same. However, the key here is that it is her choice to stop drinking entirely or to enjoy a glass of wine from time to time. The fact that her roommate tried to force her to make the lifestyle change is the main issue.

Having to overhaul your lifestyle because your roommate recently started dating someone with a serious issue is unfair. Let’s also not forget the fact that the OP owned the property in which she and her roommate were living. So, her opinion on whether or not she can drink wine on weekends is perfectly valid. And, frankly, her’s is the deciding vote.

Another thing to consider is that if the roommate’s new boyfriend genuinely has a problem being around any and all alcohol, he should make the decision to spend his time elsewhere. Not at home! For example, if the OP is enjoying a glass of wine with her dinner on a Saturday night, the roommate and her boyfriend could go out on a date. Or they could go back to his place.

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It feels like the roommate got insulted on her boyfriend’s behalf. Meanwhile, for all we know, he might not have seen the situation as a problem at all. Otherwise, he probably would have spoken up. The odds are that he realized he has no right bossing someone else around in their own home.

Image credits: cottonbro studio / Pexels (not the actual photo)

People-pleasers tend to hide their authentic selves because they want to leave a positive impression on others

One problem that the OP noted is that her roommate is a “relationship chameleon.” In short, she’s referring to a tendency that people have to change their values and beliefs in order to better match the person that they’re now dating.

When we get into a relationship, it does mean that we have to make some sort of compromises. However, if we’re changing fundamental things about ourselves (our entire diets, our religious beliefs, our attitude toward certain behaviors, etc.), it indicates that there might be some underlying issues with confidence and self-esteem.

To put it simply, you should not have to change yourself to a massive degree just to date someone. If they cannot like you for you, then you should move on. Having to put on a metaphorical mask just to be accepted is unhealthy.

Not to mention that it’s unfair to the person you’re dating because they see an inauthentic, massively ‘edited’ version of you, not who you really are.

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As Forbes writes, excessive people-pleasing can jeopardize relationships. This is because the person compromises their core values just to be accepted by others.

On the flip side, if you’re honest about what your core values are, you’re building the relationship on a foundation of authenticity and truth.

Lots of people wanted to share their take on the situation. The author of the post shared some additional context in the comments, too

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Some readers even shared similar stories of their own

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c_o_shea avatar
C.O. Shea
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The psychological term is... transference. Time for creepy girl to move on.

tyranamar_1 avatar
Tyranamar
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No. Transference is the feelings another person engenders in you by way of something that a trait of theirs.

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wmdkitty avatar
Shawna Burt
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

NTA. The only person responsible for an alcoholic's sobriety is the alcoholic themselves. Not their partner/spouse. Not their kids. Not their friends. Not their family. It sounds like Roomie's BF is a 12-Stepper trying to recruit for the cult.

jb_16 avatar
JB
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I must have missed the part of the post where the BF demands the apartment be a safe space for his sobriety. Does it come before faking veganism or after faking Judaism?

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madmcqueen avatar
Mad McQueen
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My neice did/might still do this with guys she dates. It's insane. When I dated yeah I'd like some of their interests if they blended with mine. I'd have an open mind. But I'm still me. She might have an inferiority complex that unless she's what they are into she won't get the date or be good enough to them. Did she copy any of your ways to get you to like her?

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c_o_shea avatar
C.O. Shea
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The psychological term is... transference. Time for creepy girl to move on.

tyranamar_1 avatar
Tyranamar
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No. Transference is the feelings another person engenders in you by way of something that a trait of theirs.

Load More Replies...
wmdkitty avatar
Shawna Burt
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

NTA. The only person responsible for an alcoholic's sobriety is the alcoholic themselves. Not their partner/spouse. Not their kids. Not their friends. Not their family. It sounds like Roomie's BF is a 12-Stepper trying to recruit for the cult.

jb_16 avatar
JB
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I must have missed the part of the post where the BF demands the apartment be a safe space for his sobriety. Does it come before faking veganism or after faking Judaism?

Load More Replies...
madmcqueen avatar
Mad McQueen
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My neice did/might still do this with guys she dates. It's insane. When I dated yeah I'd like some of their interests if they blended with mine. I'd have an open mind. But I'm still me. She might have an inferiority complex that unless she's what they are into she won't get the date or be good enough to them. Did she copy any of your ways to get you to like her?

Load More Comments
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