Yet another commenter argued that the key is to actually combine both methods — hand wash the dishes first and then run them through the dishwasher — for best results. "I hand wash to get the food off then put the dishes in the dishwasher …
Ah, the joys of living with roommates! You think you’re signing up for late-night snacks and movie marathons, but instead, you find yourself in the middle of a high-stakes dish-washing drama worthy of a reality TV show.
Let’s set the scene: our protagonist, a 24-year-old student, has moved in with a delightful mix of personalities: Sally, also 24, the tech-savvy instigator; Stacy, the wise 33-year-old who probably has a few more years of roommate experience under her belt; and Ben, the 44-year-old who might just be the voice of reason—or the one who suggests the most outrageous solutions.
Now, it turns out that the dishes have become a point of contention in this household. I mean, who knew that washing plates could lead to such chaos? Apparently, this isn’t just a simple case of neglecting the dishes; it’s an all-out war where fingers are pointing and blame is being tossed around like salad at a family reunion.
After much deliberation (and probably a few passive-aggressive notes left on the fridge), Ben proposes three options to tackle the culinary chaos:
1. One lucky roommate does the dishes for an entire week (because who doesn’t love a week-long punishment?),
2. Hire a professional dish-washer and split the cost (because nothing says “we’re adults” like outsourcing chores), or
3. Pay one designated roommate to take on the dishwashing duties (because, hey, why not add financial strain to the mix?).
But Sally, in her infinite wisdom, suggests a fourth option that takes the cake—or, in this case, the dish. Why not buy a camera to monitor the kitchen activity? Because nothing says “we trust you” like surveillance equipment in your shared living space!
So, our protagonist reluctantly agrees to this plan. Fast forward to a Friday when she returns home early to find all the dishes miraculously done. She’s feeling like a hero for putting them away, only to be greeted by a voice from the void (also known as Sally, sitting behind her new toy). “Thank you for putting the dishes away!” she chirps, as if she’s the omnipotent overlord of the kitchen.
Now, I can’t help but imagine the look on her face when she realizes she’s being watched. “WTF, are you like watching me?” is probably a reaction we’ve all had at one point or another—whether it’s from an unexpected FaceTime call or a surprise visit from the landlord.
Sally explains that she gets notifications every time someone enters the kitchen. So, not only are they keeping tabs on each other’s dishwashing habits, but they’re also living in a kitchen version of Big Brother. What could possibly go wrong?
The protagonist is not particularly interested in getting notifications herself—after all, she has a life outside of dishes and a boyfriend who probably doesn’t want to hear about her roommate’s new “kitchen security system”. But hey, if it keeps Sally entertained, who are we to judge?
In the end, it seems that while the camera may keep everyone in check, it has also added a layer of absurdity to their living situation. Our protagonist is not looking to move out anytime soon, especially with cheap rent and a solid circle of friends nearby.
So, what can we learn from this situation? Perhaps living with roommates is less about sharing a space and more about navigating the bizarre dynamics of adult life. And when in doubt, just remember: if the dishes are piling up and tensions are rising, maybe it’s time to invest in a camera. Just don’t forget to check the notifications!
Inspired by: “Roommate bought a camera to watch everyone do dishes” (r/GirlDinnerDiaries)