This schoolyear I'm dorming with a good friend of mine. I'm vegan and she's omni. Would it be out of line for me to ask her for our dormroom to be a meat-free zone? The smell and sight of meat really bothers me emotionally, and when I eat in the cafeteria I have to see it constantly. My dorm would be the only place where I can eat in peace without the sight/smell of meat. Also, the microwave and fridge belong to me, and meat going in them would ick me out a lil'. I don't want to come off controlling, because she's a good friend of mine, but I'm considering asking her this, just for the sake of me not being grossed out. What would you do? Would this be bossy of me?
i can see where you're coming from, but if i were her, i could see myself as being a little peeved at the request. sort of like... being homophobic, and asking your homosexual roommate not to bring his boyfriends around the house coz it makes you sick. you've gotta have respect.... a difficult task for you, to put up with meat in the kitchen, maybe, but that's what you get if you have an omni roomie. if it's not too late, perhaps look into getting a like-minded roommate instead?
She would have plenty chance to eat meat in the cafeteria. I would just not want her to bring meat back to the room. I know she mostly eats salad anyway, so it wouldn't be asking her to change or anything. Kind of... a 'just in case' rule. It would be more for people who are coming into our room to party. Last year, people would come into my room to party, order chinese food, and there would be chicken in my wastebin. I know that dorm rules include that if one roommate objects to smoking in the room, the other roommate is not allowed to. Why should it not be the same with meat? It makes me nauseous and emotionally bothered.
well, smoking is different because living with someone who smokes for a year can actually cause physical health problems. you couldn't make the same rule just because you don't want to WATCH the person smoking, or see the cigarette. don't get me wrong; i sympathize with your situation. but when 95% or something of the country is omnivorous, and you have such a strong aversion to the sight of meat, perhaps you should look into getting a room just for yourself, or with a fellow veggie. respectfully, i don't believe your request is a fair one. peace
If meat bothers you, it's your problem not your roommate's. If you ask very nicely, he may concede, but if he does it'll be because he's very nice indeed - you should give him a decent present to say thanks. You certainly can't expect him to agree - it'd be a huge favour, not an obligation.
Ask nicely, explain why it bothers you and offer to cook for both of you. Never know, they might be cool with it. If they're already a good friend they should understand and not want to upset you. My housemates are all omni. Having lived with omni family it doesn't bother me so much. As we literally have a house I can kinda escape. Should imagine it would be harder with a smaller living area.
She could possibly feel like you're asking too much of her, but personally, I think you have every right to make this slight request, especially when you said that the microwave and oven belong to you. If she doesn't agree to this, I suggest you decide whether or not you can truly handle it, and if not, do like somebody else suggested and find a new roommate, or even get a place of your own. Hopefully, though, she'll be understanding..
methinks maybe you should have found a roommate who shared the same dietry habits as yourself...of course you could ask her...but she can say no...I think I agree with Dovely except for the bit about the things being yours as I think when you are sharing a living space you have to equally share such items and once you start dividing up like this it can lead to all sorts of hassles...however each to their own...myself like Sage-Phoenix has had many omni flatmates (and family) and though I never was fussed it is amazing how much of the time they will eat vege and be happy to do so if you do not hassle them but just lead the way quietly...good luck!!!
I think that you only have a right to ask for that before you commit to living together. That way, you can decide whether to go through with it or not based on her answer and how much it bothers you. If it's already settled, then it's too late. I would be (rightfully) pretty pissed if I had made arrangements with someone, only to have them change the terms after plans had been made.
Meh... I see where you're coming from, but I think the best thing you can do is learn to accept that some time in your life you are going to have to deal being around omnis and their meat. I suppose you could politely ask her... but if she declines your request I'd hope that you would accept and find a better way to work around it. Maybe buy your own cooler or mini fridge to store YOUR products in so they don't have to be stored along with animal products... Keep your distance when you eat, or eat somewhere else; outside, in your car, in a park..etc. Are you new to being a veggie? I'm just wondering, you seem to have a lot of questions, and that sort of fresh brand new interest towards the subject.
Also, maybe it would be good to spend more time with omnis or going to places like the cafeteria just so that you adapt to it and are able to co-exist with others who do not share the same lifestyle as you. I never had a problem with being around others who were eating meat [other than the fact that I get sad...] ..I never was affected by the smell or anything, because I have never lived alone or with other veggies... I've always lived with my dad and my mom...and now my boyfriend as well and they each eat meat. I think it makes it that much easier for me to be able to co exist with other omnis and go into places that serve/sell meat, etc. I think the only time I ever almost threw up from the smell of meat is when my boyfriend insisted I sit with him inside KFC one time... I was in there for not even 5 mins. and ran to the bathroom dry heaving and basically told him I couldn't handle it, and left.
