Am I right to be mad at my roommate?

Question

Yesterday, I went downstairs and over to the cabinet where I keep my dishes. Luckily, before I got any further, I noticed pieces of glass on the floor (and I was barefoot!) I found a broken glass in the trash. Apparently, my roommate/landlord broke 1 of my glasses & didn't even sweep up. She didn't leave a note saying sorry for breaking my glass or to even watch out for broken glass on the floor...and it's right in front of my cabinet door where I walk everyday! Am I right in leaving a note saying "Whoever broke a glass, there is still a lot of glass on the floor!" or should I clean up her mess? This happened yesterday & while I have not seen her, she has been by the house (but hasn't seen my note; I just put it up). Do you think I am justified in being upset??

What also angers me is that 1 time, i broke a glass jar in the kitchen, but only on the side where I keep my food & her & her husband don't go near that side. For days after, her husband/my landlord was constantly looking on the ground for glass in that area for me to sweep up. And now this happens and she just leaves it there! Grrr...!

I had been downstairs at least 3 times before and didn't see/hear any glass breaking. And when I found the broken glass in the trash, it was on top of her take-out dinner trash, so that's how I know it must have happened when she was in the kitchen. And I'm pretty sure it was her or her husband (actually, he might be out of town) because no one else lives her besides them two, me, and my boyfriend, who is also out of town.

Answer 1

Sweep up the glass, then leave it in a pile on her dresser or bed.

Answer 2

Yes, you are justified in being upset but leaving a note is not an approprate way of handling this, even though the landlord's husband was inappropriate in the way he acted after you broke some glass.

It seems that there are other emotions involved in this situation that go beyond broken glass and who cleaned it up. If the landlords are friend of yours and you value the friendship, it would be wise to discuss the issues that are making you uncomfortable. It would be best to do this in a neurtral environment, such as a resturant.

Remember to avoid blaming anyone as issues are discussed. Let them know that you value their friendship. Talk about how you feel and ask them to help find solutions, such as: I was really upset when I walked into the kitchen the other morning and almost cut myself on some broken glass. How could we avoid this type of situation in the future?

Avoid saying something like: I was really angry that you did not clean up the glass you broke, I could have cut myself. When I broke a glass "George" when around hunting for glass pieces just to make me clean it up and now you don't even bother to clean it up. This would really get them on the defensive, result in hard feelings, and never resolve the issue.

Answer 3

Firstly, take down the note. Secondly, sweep up the broken glass and thirdly, have a heart to heart with your roommate. It was thoughtless and inconsiderate of her to leave the broken glass on the floor and if she were a responsible roommate, she would have come to you and apologized for breaking it. It sounds like one of the guys broke it, any woman I know wouldn't leave it on the floor. Whereas, almost all the guys I know would have picked up the big pieces, kicked the little pieces under the counter or rug and then gone on about their day without a second thought. Perhaps it happened in the dark as well. Regardless, an honest, straight forward approach is the best course of action.

Answer 4

Clean up the glass. Leave no note..that is childish. When you see her, tell her there was broken glass on the floor when you walked into the room barefooted and did she know anything about it. Also, you noticed a broken glass on top of her trash. Roomies have to be able to discuss things in order to remain roommates. If this doesn't get satisfaction, time to think about moving out.

Answer 5

This might be their way of saying well if you didn't sweep up glass yourself when you broke something in the kitchen ( and you are assuming they don't walk in your area) why should they bother too either. You didn't warn them about your broken glass so why should they warn you. I think this is the message they are leaving you. Okay, the glass jar wasn't theirs but it is glass and very dangerous to leave around. Thus, why they are taking the mickey out of you. They should apologize for breaking your plate though. I think you are all being childish in not sweeping the glass up- the point is- glass should be swept up irrespectively of who broke it. I think you both need to sit down and talk about the safety issues in the house because this kind of behavior could have resulted in severe injuries.

Answer 6

Could it have been anyone else besides you two? Could you have left the glass in such a way that it fell on its own?(ie your dried it and left it too close to the edge of the counter and then a subtle noise shook it off...)

If you are certain it was your room mate,

Clean the glass. No one else should risk being hurt.

Confront your room mate. Get her story.

If she broke the glass by mistake and left it there, she needs to know this was not acceptable. Let your room mate know that you should have been informed about the damage and that it was wrong to leave you exposed to danger like that.

This might be clue to start looking for a new place to live.

Answer 7

It is wrong and annoying when that happens, but two wrongs don't make a right. It was probably an accident.

Clean up the mess though, you dont want anyone getting hurt on account of you holding a grudge. Talk to him/her about it rather than leaving a note. If you have to live with this person, you should just get it out of the way.

You are justified to be upset, but dont let this make an unhappy living enviroment...

Answer 8

That is lazy, rude and disrespectful. There is no reason for her not to take two seconds to sweep it up and then tell you oops I broke a glass, sorry. I had a roommate who broke my dishes and would try to hide them but once you start getting down to like one plate you realize somethings up, lol. I hate roommates, they suck.

Luckily tho the girl I am temp. staying with until I move to NC in two weeks is great and we have never had any conflict. I think it is better when none of your own stuff is there to get broken or whatever. All mine is in storage but when I had people stay at my house before I was like an anal freak.

Answer 9

It was an ignorant and lazy thing not to clean it up, you are justified in being angry, clear the air with them and or get over it and move on life is too short. If you ever break a glass object again treat them the way you would want to be treated and clean it up. It'll sow a seed and they will do the right thing next time...

Answer 10

First, clean up the glass so no one else gets hurt. Then, let her know (in no uncertain terms) that her leaving that glass on the floor was unacceptable. Be the bigger person here. You don't have to be nasty, but tell her that it's rude, inconsiderate and most of all, dangerous. Say something now or else she will think it's OK to do again.

Answer 11

yes, you can be upset. however, i think you should just clean up the glass (so no one gets cut). you need to communicate with your roomies. obviously, the note wasn't the best way of communicating. i am sure you have their cell numbers or work numbers... give them a call. be polite, but tell them exactly how you feel and what you expect (an apology for instance).

remember how you handle this situation, will determine how future issues will be handled. communication is the key.