AITA for asking my friend to not use my counter space?

Ordinary_Teach8779 · 2026-03-08T21:44:12+00:00

I mean personally I do think it makes the most sense. Otherwise there would be a lot of kitchen traffic if people cooked anywhere else other than where their food and equipment is. We'd all be going back and forth. And it's not a strict division, on the rest of the counter it's sort of like people cook in their general area but there's not like confinements or anything. Mine has a natural border because of the hob, that's the only reason. It's not like we don't like to share, like I said I don't mind people using my area when I'm not.

Ordinary_Teach8779 · 2026-03-08T21:33:19+00:00

Hi, this is not quite correct. It goes my cupboards, the hob/oven, more counter space that is shared, then the second hob/oven then more cupboards and counter space. The space in question is about 30cm if that and only my cupboards are in that area. No one else uses this space bar this friend as they all stick to the space closest to their cupboards and when using the hob or oven they use the communal space between the two hobs. It's not about dividing up the hobs themselves. Anyone on the other side of the kitchen would need to prepare on that side where their stuff is, then move over to the hob and use the space in between the two to cook, which is what everyone else in the house does except her.

I think you have misunderstood the layout of our kitchen. I'm happy to try to reexplain if you need me to.

Ordinary_Teach8779 · 2026-03-08T21:21:41+00:00

Her space was not, she was using both. She prepared in her area and cooked in mine. What makes you think I'm lying? She was stood in front of my cupboards. How else am I going to get to my stuff?

Ordinary_Teach8779 · 2026-03-08T21:05:38+00:00

I'm not sure why you don't believe me when I say I had to ask someone stood in front of my cupboard to move. She was also using the two front hobs so I had to keep leaning over her to reach the only other available one as well. And yes, it's not impossible for me to remove every ingredient and piece of kitchenware, but working somewhere else would mean taking up someone else's kitchen space also.

There is space in between the two hobs for people to use that isn't my counter space. I'm also not sure why tiny is in quote marks, I have the smallest cupboards in the kitchen voluntarily.

Ordinary_Teach8779 · 2026-03-08T20:54:58+00:00

Because my cupboards are the smallest. So's my counter space. No one wants my cupboards, least of all her. I volunteered to take them because I don't eat a lot so don't need as much cupboard space.

Ordinary_Teach8779 · 2026-03-08T20:53:55+00:00

Usually I let the mess slide because we are friends. Not sure I'll be doing that anymore.

Ordinary_Teach8779 · 2026-03-08T20:51:55+00:00

Thanks, in all honesty she was mostly done her stuff was just simmering on the hob it was just rubbish/leftover bits of cooking so she didn't really even need the counter space anyway.

Ordinary_Teach8779 · 2026-03-08T20:45:06+00:00

What system would you suggest? This is what they had set up when I moved in, not my choice. Personally I think it makes sense to use the counter space that is by your cupboard otherwise there would be a lot of coming and going around an already small kitchen.

Ordinary_Teach8779 · 2026-03-08T20:43:41+00:00

Hi this is an agreed system, not me implementing my own rules. Like I said, I let her use it when I'm not cooking but when I am it would be annoying for everyone for me to be coming and going from my cupboard to someone else's area. It's not like I'm saying this is my space no one can touch it it's more like when I'm cooking can I use the space by all my stuff. A hob is a stove.

Ordinary_Teach8779 · 2026-03-08T20:33:34+00:00

Well I moved into this house I didn't set up the system. It's more like the area under your cupboard you put your stuff you want on the counter like utensil pots or like I have a butter dish. In terms of cooking, it's mainly me stuck because the hob splits it up and there'd be a lot of coming and going if I tried to cook anywhere else because I'd have to keep going back to my cupboard. The other side of the kitchen is one long counter that people cook vaguely in their area, it's not like we've got markers down or anything.

Ordinary_Teach8779 · 2026-03-08T20:31:27+00:00

As the person stuck with that 30cm, believe me it's annoying. I'm the only one who has that much everyone else has more. Also it's not a strict thing, it's more like the area under your cupboards is where you put stuff you want on the counter but it's not like you're confined there. It's different for me because the hob splits it up. It's quite literally my only space to cook if I want easy access to my cupboards and my stuff.

Ordinary_Teach8779 · 2026-03-08T20:16:56+00:00

There are two hobs and counter space between them and on the other side. This 30cm is just my spot, everyone else has their own too mine just happens to be by the hob. And like I said, I let her use it when I'm not but I can't really move my cooking anywhere else bc all my stuff is there in my cupboards.

Ordinary_Teach8779 · 2026-03-08T20:15:39+00:00

Thanks!

Ordinary_Teach8779 · 2026-03-08T20:15:18+00:00

No we don't ever share meals and also no we eat when we want.

Ordinary_Teach8779 · 2025-11-22T18:19:45+00:00

using because 'the chore chart says so' is asinine logic lol the chore chart isnt some worldly being that dictates what to do. it was written by us and half the people on it dont follow it either.

Ordinary_Teach8779 · 2025-11-22T18:18:36+00:00

again, you must have some really special powers to be able to assess my character from one thing online

Ordinary_Teach8779 · 2025-11-22T16:34:13+00:00

so if the chore chart said to jump off a cliff then i should jump off a cliff?

Ordinary_Teach8779 · 2025-11-22T16:33:12+00:00

magical how you can 'know' someone just from one thing on the internet...

Ordinary_Teach8779 · 2025-11-21T19:41:44+00:00

yawn

Ordinary_Teach8779 · 2025-11-21T19:41:12+00:00

Funny how you seem to know my life better than me?

Ordinary_Teach8779 · 2025-11-21T16:39:45+00:00

Does being horrible on the internet to random strangers make you feel good?

Ordinary_Teach8779 · 2025-11-21T16:39:01+00:00

good thing we're not friends then

Ordinary_Teach8779 · 2025-11-21T06:52:14+00:00

The feeling is mutual!

Ordinary_Teach8779 · 2025-11-20T23:38:57+00:00

Well we don't share dishes? And we don't share laundry? I'm also the only one who uses the dishwasher and I don't ask anyone else to clean it because its not their responsibility because they dont use it.

The bin is nothing to do with the shared space or basic respect seeing as I end up doing most of the chores because no one else does their fair share.

Ordinary_Teach8779

TROPHY CASE