Long-Time Friends Clash When One Loses His Job And Spends His Time Gaming Or Smoking Instead Of Looking For New Employment

They are roommates. If he can't pay rent, they will lose their home.

Chelsi

• Published in Interesting
• August 31, 2023

A 36-year-old guy was not able to keep his opinions to himself when he saw his friend's devil-may-care attitude regarding his employment. OP's friend of 12 years and roommate lost his job a few weeks prior to their disagreement.

OP is used to being the first person up in their home. So, he was surprised when he saw one of his roommates lounging on their back porch.

It's not unusual for this roommate to spend his downtime gaming or smoking on their porch. All he had recently was free time since he was just fired from his job.

To OP's dismay, his friend spends his time leisurely instead of looking for another job. OP understood how frustrated his roommate must be about his employment, but his roommate's lack of urgency is starting to worry him.

OP used to be so sure that his roommate would find a job without delay, but his attitude is discouraging. That morning, OP approached his roommate while he was busy gaming on his laptop.

OP asked if he had slept. The roommate said he didn't sleep because he was waiting for the unemployment office to open so he could straighten out his account.

He planned to sleep after accomplishing that task, he said to OP. His roommate's thoughtless response upset OP.

He told his roommate it was irresponsible to stay up late and sleep in the morning when he could have been job hunting

OP respects his roommate's independence, but his lack of an income affects their household

If his friend can't make the rent, they could all lose their home. Did OP overstep when he scolded his roommate?

OP responded to most of the questions to give more context why he got so upset over his roommate's attitude

Redditors initially voted that OP was the a**hole for trying to impose on another adult

After a few back and forths, Redditors were able to understand where OP's frustrations stem from

They advised OP to have a serious conversation with his roommate instead of telling him what he thinks he should do

OP clarified that it's just difficult to see a friend and a roommate waste their time when it could be applied elsewhere as his actions affect all of them

Unfortunately, OP and his roommates can't be late on rent. This is where the stress and added pressure on OP comes from.

An eviction is not exactly an advertisement of a reliable tenant

If OP is sure that his friend benefits from a little nudge every now and then, it's alright to guide him on his next steps

Given their long history of friendship, it's understandable why OP is pushing for his friend to be more productive

OP said he doesn't want to wait too long to before talking to his friend, as uncomfortable as it may seem, since his income affects all of them

More than the concern for his own savings account, OP just doesn't want his friend to be homeless with no safety net

He doesn't think his friend is trying to mooch off of him, but he could try harder to find a job

The verdict from the Redditors is: everyone sucks. OP's anxiety about their lease and his own future made OP too assertive.

OP deserves a little credit for giving his friend a chance to prove himself capable. He should be wary of how his friend acts in the following weeks to see if he does anything to fix his employment situation.

Chelsi