Permalink Reply by Rick Shelton on December 11, 2012 at 4:35pm If you do not pay rent then the answer is no, even if you are attending college, other school, or even working. If you are paying rent then I would set up an agreement with your parents as to how the maintenance of the house is to be divided among those paying rent and those not (you may have primary or secondary school age siblings) paying rent.
Permalink Reply by Shane on December 11, 2012 at 4:38pm The problem is, you've taken on that task as condition of your residency. It is now your responsibility until you leave. If reasoning doesn't work, figure out a way to take a three day weekend away from home, so they can see the unnecessary work they put you through. Other than that, carry on.
Permalink Reply by Rebekah on December 11, 2012 at 4:43pm It is probably not OK to refuse to clean the kitchen. In exchange for a very valuable benefit, you're asked to do chores. Do the chores or pay for your own place.
Though, in my family, it's not like this. Members aren't valued based solely on what salable or cash contribution they make to the household. Everyone helps out proportionate to their ability, whether they bring in income or not - though bringing in income may mean a member has less time to help with chores.
But I'm not sure my family's attitude is healthier or better than yours. It has perhaps delayed independence, both financially and more broadly, for my little sister.
I think my family also wouldn't treat even a paid, non-family member this way - wouldn't make a task more difficult for someone else out of spite, or a sense of superiority, or "that's their job." My husband, however, used to never clear his tray at a fast food place; my family of origin always did. I married him anyway, and now he does. So, again, I don't know the moral value of making life easy for service people.
Permalink Reply by JonEdanger on December 11, 2012 at 5:01pm Everyone helps out proportionate to their ability
You really are in SF, that cements it. LOL.
Permalink Reply by Rebekah on December 11, 2012 at 5:11pm In my mind, it comes from a very anti-SF philosophy - that people are valuable beyond the monetary benefit they bring to me or to the family.
As a practical matter, it also has to do with coming from a family that had at least one young child for so long. You help out because that's what you DO in a family, no matter that your big sister can do it better or faster, or that the family managed fine before it had its youngest helper.
Permalink Reply by Justin Cook on December 11, 2012 at 4:45pm
Permalink Reply by Rebekah on December 11, 2012 at 4:53pm Think about it as your family seems to: If you were a paid housekeeper for non-family-members, and used your income to pay rent, and you felt your employers were being ridiculously messy, would you ask for more respect, or would you take your lumps?
Your situation just skips the middle step.
Permalink Reply by Jack Bauer on December 11, 2012 at 4:52pm You want to live in their house ... then tell them how to use their own kitchen? And, if they don't use their kitchen to your liking, you'll flatly refuse to do your part?
No. You agreed to do the work. Do the work. If you don't like it, pay for your own kitchen and leave them to clean theirs.
JB
Permalink Reply by Justin Cook on December 11, 2012 at 4:55pm
Permalink Reply by JonEdanger on December 11, 2012 at 4:59pm A normal person? Hmmm. We rinse ours out and put them in a recycling bin. Perhaps that's what they are used to.
Permalink Reply by Jack Bauer on December 11, 2012 at 5:00pm Maybe. But, a normal adult person also pays rent.
Your example doesn't change my answer. Do your job, as agreed, or get your own place. If you're looking for permission to shirk your responsibilities, so far you're not finding it here.
JB
Mitch F replied to David Johns's discussion My introduction
Carl Monster replied to Brian Splash's discussion Progress shots in the group Exercise
Brian Splash replied to Brian Splash's discussion Progress shots in the group Exercise
Brian W. Barrett replied to Steve's discussion Hair styles for men with fine hair
Brian W. Barrett replied to Jay Moore's discussion Dealing with an ex post break up
Brian W. Barrett replied to Herb Munson's discussion The Primacy and Existence of God in the group The Great Debate
© 2013 Created by Brett McKay.
Powered by