<p>I don't want to sound like a selfish *<strong><em>, but...
I HATE sharing food. I'm very picky and health conscious, so I usually buy expensive healthy food. I'm going to have three roommates and am completely against sharing any food with them. I don't even want share like "community foods", because I don't eat them, and I don't want to waste my money on something I don't eat.
So, i would really like us to all get our on shelf in the refrigerator and cabinet, but since there is going to be four of us, space is limited.
So, I was thinking about bring a little refrigerator with me to put in my room. I feel like it would make me look like an anal *</em></strong>. Which really is not the case. , I just don't want to share, and I don't think there's going to be enough space for all of us.</p>
<p>So, my question is...
Would it make me look really bad if I brought my own fridge?</p>
<p>No; plenty of people bring their own mini-fridges even when there’s a main fridge in the common room, simply because there’s not enough room in the common fridge.</p>
<p>Alternatively, if you prefer to use the common fridge, you can always set ground rules with respect to sharing by just talking with your roommates. It’s important to have that discussion for a variety of things, really. One good thing is to insist that everyone get together to set ground rules for kitchen use, room cleanliness, the fridge, bringing guests over, study time, sleeping time, noise levels, etc etc etc. It’ll save you a lot of headache in the long run. People who don’t talk this stuff out risk ending up in passive-aggressive roomie wars.</p>
<p>one suggestion … if you have your own stash of food and your other roommates all share their food … you might want to get some other stuff that is for sharing with your roommates … that might help the community feel some.</p>
<p>I think it’s fine to bring your own fridge as long as it fits somewhere. Many, many people are becoming more particular about their food so I don’t think you will be too different. But you should have a discussion about all ground rules as other poster mentioned so that everyone has a good feel for where they stand.</p>
<p>Tell them your OCD and anxiety would be less if you could bring your own personal fridge.
That said you better be more flexible and chill about other roommate issues.
Buy them a box of See’s as a peace offering and putting up with your eccentricities.
You should try to be more open to sharing and relaxing a bit.
Or get your own apartment next year.</p>
<p>If there is room (so not in a dorm) I don’t see anything wrong with bringing your own fridge. Personally I would be totally against sharing my food because I pay for it, my mom and dad don’t help me at all and I’m not going to waste my money and snacks for everyone. I’m not in kindergarten. I’m not going to take their food so they can’t take mine.</p>
<p>Well, if you can fit a mini-fridge in your room (and it’s allowed by your college/housing complex), then go ahead. There’s nothing wrong with wanting a fridge of your own, although I do think you’re being a little hard on your roommates. I’ve experienced several fridge situations so far in college, and I’ve never had a problem with space or with people stealing my food or with people demanding food is shared. I honestly don’t think you’ll have a problem if you use the main fridge, but if you really want a personal fridge just in case, go ahead and get one.</p>
<p>I doubt your roommates will call you out on having an extra fridge. I’ve seen people with some strange stuff in their rooms; an extra fridge is not how you call attention to yourself. =P</p>
<p>I tried the sharing thing with my roommates. All said we would go shopping and bring something back by weekly. After about a month and a half of one of my roommates and myself bringing almost all the food and them contributing less then 20 bucks, we both mysteriously ended up with mini fridges under our beds. Best choice I could have made. </p>
<p>I don’t see it as wrong, you shouldn’t have to pay for others food or have your food disaapper when you want to eat it. On the other hand, I always made sure that I brought something for my roommates to eat, usually a snack, and if they asked if I had some milk or whatever occasionally I’d give them some.</p>
<p>For the most part everyone understands that food is expensive especially in college. I shared a room (plus a common room) with three other girls and there were no problems with food. Three of us had our own refrigerators and I kept mine in my room. I also put any food I wasn’t willing to share in drawers in my room.</p>
<p>If you really don’t want to come off as crazy (which you probably won’t but this is also just nice) you could put some food in the common area for everyone to share. That’s kind of how it worked out in my room - everyone had their own stuff but we also contributed (mostly things we didn’t want or had too much of) to the common stash of food. I think people respect your “personal” food more if you’re a little generous. I knew a girl who would steal from her roommate’s stash just because the roommate never shared and the girl wanted to spite her. I know, immature, but it does happen.</p>
<p>I understand being picky and health conscious. It irks me to no end when someone who doesn’t pay attention to their diet eats my health food. Get the fridge, but also give them an explanation up front.</p>
<p>It’s not unusual as many people have food allergies, are gluten free, and they don’t want to worry about cross contamination.</p>
<p>I would bring the fridge if I could.</p>
<p>However, for the sake of community, it is nice to share something. In some cases, a large quantity does not cost a whole lot more than small portions. You could share cleaning stuff like a big bottle of dishwashing liquid, large gallon of milk , big box of tea bags, coffee… something you all use. You can each pick something and agree on the brand and them buy it- one person buy tea, the other coffee, big jar of honey, …</p>
<p>I’d share a lot of things but not necessarily food. I mean, say I bought chocolate milk mix. Of course I’d share that as well as coffee 'cause I’m definitely not going to drink the whole pot.</p>
<p>Stuff like bottled-water I would not share. Anything pricey. </p>
<p>I’d share all cleaning supplies because that benefits everyone. I’d share my TV but have some stipulations. I’d maybe share my printer (if it’s an every now and then thing unless they chip in for ink). </p>
<p>Maybe every now and then I’d buy a box of poptarts or something anyone can eat.</p>
<p>I don’t think it’ll be a big deal. Just store your food in another place. I mean, that might seem greedy but you don’t want to share, right? Or tell them to ask if they want something although you said you wouldn’t want to share anyway, lol. I’m kinda like you, although I don’t mind sharing as long as they ask first and don’t eat everything of mine. </p>
<p>I do suggest you buy some cheap chips or other snacks and let them “share” those with you, put them on the community shelf, whatever. Even if you aren’t planning on eating them. Makes you seem more thoughtful and sharing.</p>
<p>My roommates and I just throw all our stuff together in the fridge, and yeah, if there’s something I don’t want or have too much of (or sometimes I’ll cook something for everyone because I just like to do that) I’ll just offer it to one of them. Other than that we just eat our own stuff. </p>
<p>We do share cleaning and cooking stuff, we’re all very good friends though so we don’t quibble about who pays for what as much, I guess. I don’t think I ever had a conversation about sharing food though, even when I started living with my roommates. It was just assumed we all would have separate food.</p>
<p>You are not being selfish, you are being realistic. Simply tell them you eat specific food and can’t eat anything they would buy for themselves. Assure them it doesn’t mean you won’t share in keeping the kitchen clean. Who knows, maybe you eat only food they don’t want, such as tofu, aloe juice, and other items people don’t think they would like. If so, they will be even more understanding.</p>
<p>Don’t feel obligated to share or buy anything to share. Once you get to know your roommates you’ll probably feel more comfortable with bringing snacks if you ever watch movies together or anything. People can be very rude and disrespectful, trust me. You don’t have to share and don’t feel bad about it. Buy a Mini-Fridge.</p>