Woman 'Raiding' Family Member's Fridge While They're on Vacation Dragged

The internet has criticized a woman who "raided" her sibling's fridge after they asked her to water their plants during a short weekend away.

In a post shared on Reddit on Monday, the woman's sibling, under the username u/Ecstatic_Process_826, wrote that their sister "raided" their fridge when they went on a short weekend trip to Maryland and asked her to water their plants.

The poster said: "I am currently living paycheck to paycheck and can only buy what I need, I unfortunately don't have the luxury of buying whatever I want. While I'm away, she takes it upon herself to raid my fridge, pantry, and anywhere else for food.

"She does this the entire time I'm gone. When I returned home, I went to grab something for dinner but found it completely barren. There wasn't even enough milk for a full glass."

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in 2022, all food prices are predicted to increase by between 9 and 10 percent, with food-at-home prices going up by between 10.5 and 11.5 percent.

Wholesale poultry prices are predicted to rise by between 23.5 and 26.5 percent in 2022, with farm-level egg prices predicted to increase by between 100 and 103 percent.

The poster wrote that after calling their sister angry, she answered by saying that she should just buy more food if that's so much of an issue. When the poster asked her to pay for it, she began ignoring their calls and texts.

Psychologist Nada Elawdan, from New York, told Newsweek that setting boundaries with family can be a little challenging, so shifting the focus of the conversation to express how they feel and understanding where their sister is coming from can help alleviate conflict.

"First, I would suggest they check in with themselves and understand why they felt what they felt about the missing items in the fridge," said Elawdan. "When someone gains insight into their emotions, they have a better grasp of how they interpreted the situation and how to communicate it with others.

Elawdan suggested looking into what their boundaries would look like and why they are important to them: "For example, would their boundaries be to not take [their] food when they're not home? Or maybe it would be for their sister to ask before going into the fridge?

"Lastly, I recommend communicating with their sister using 'I feel' statements as opposed to accusatory statements, or 'finger-pointing language.'

"When setting boundaries, it can be helpful to remember that they are there to keep people close, not separate you," said Elawdan. "This is because a lack of boundaries will eventually develop into resentment and anger toward the person."

Originally posted on the r/AITA sub-forum where users discuss their actions with impartial strangers, the post has so far received more than 5,400 upvotes and 559 comments.

One Redditor SamSpayedPI wrote: "Although your sister was doing you a favor by coming over and watering your plants (why they needed to be watered if you were only away for a weekend is beyond me), that does not give her the right to eat anything, let alone raid your fridge and pantry and leave it completely empty. So change the locks and find someone else to water your plants."

And ghostofumich2005 commented: "lol I had someone stop by to let out and feed my dog when my wife was giving birth. Got a text later '[dog name] is fine, tried to watch tv but broke the remote, brownies on the counter are delicious."

Another Redditor sbilly93 wrote: "Try going to her house and taking all her food, if she complains remind her that it's no big deal."

No_trashcan wrote: "I would've understood if she picked a chocolate [bar] or something because she craved [it]. Raiding your entire fridge and supplies leaves no space for excuses."

Newsweek reached out to u/Ecstatic_Process_826 for comment. We could not verify the details of the case.