# I pit my roomie for unsubscribing from pay cable without consulting me **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [April 29, 2012, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-roomie-for-unsubscribing-from-pay-cable-without-consulting-me/620301 "2012-04-29T05:14:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2012, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-roomie-for-unsubscribing-from-pay-cable-without-consulting-me/620301/1 "2012-04-29T05:14:18Z")
FTR I would’ve said “No f-ing way.” I was just about to turn on “Skinamax”, when I’m confronted with a black screen. Some backround: We live in a handicapped, subsized apt. (I have Spina Bifida he has CP) He’s 41, I’m 34. We previously split all of our major bills, until his mother, (who he is creepily attached to IMO) convionced him his cable bill was too high, something he never thought before that. So, I’m forced to pay extra for these channels. Add to the fact that he’s allowed to be home as much as he wants, while I’ve never been allowed to just stay home (though I have used their help for self-improvement I DO want). He also has never turned off a lamp or TV in his life. Despite having a motorized wheelchair (technically a Hoveraround), it takes him 10 minutes to go 20 feet. And now the Housing people (allegedly) are forcing us to fill our empty bedroom with another person. (IMO our SL agency is behind it). I sent an e-mail to my Case Manager to expedite my already requested move, so we’ll see how that goes. ---
**Author:** ![Cinnamon\_Imp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58956e/32.png) [@Cinnamon\_Imp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cinnamon_Imp)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2012, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-roomie-for-unsubscribing-from-pay-cable-without-consulting-me/620301/2 "2012-04-29T06:26:53Z")
> [@etv78](#): > > Add to the fact that he’s allowed to be home as much as he wants, while I’ve never been allowed to just stay home What do you mean by this? If it’s your home and you live there, who is “not allowing you” to stay there? ---
**Author:** ![Claude\_Remains](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/898d66/32.png) [@Claude\_Remains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claude_Remains)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2012, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-roomie-for-unsubscribing-from-pay-cable-without-consulting-me/620301/3 "2012-04-29T07:07:17Z")
You obviously have an Internet connection. You prefer lame ass cable over some full-on porn? I’m Googling my ass off and am not finding a correlation between Spina Bifida and mental retardation. ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2012, 7:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-roomie-for-unsubscribing-from-pay-cable-without-consulting-me/620301/4 "2012-04-29T07:31:15Z")
> [@hermette](#): > > What do you mean by this? If it’s your home and you live there, who is “not allowing you” to stay there? Fuller explanation: We are _strongly_ discouraged to not ever leave the apartment. I think they think that society would judge us if we didn’t leave the house. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2012, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-roomie-for-unsubscribing-from-pay-cable-without-consulting-me/620301/5 "2012-04-29T07:35:10Z")
How would society judge you if you didn’t leave the house? ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2012, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-roomie-for-unsubscribing-from-pay-cable-without-consulting-me/620301/6 "2012-04-29T07:36:54Z")
> [@Lord\_Feldon](#): > > How would society judge you if you didn’t leave the house? That a cognitive normal person isn’t working/going to school. (not saying I totally agree, but it’s their POV IMO) ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2012, 7:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-roomie-for-unsubscribing-from-pay-cable-without-consulting-me/620301/7 "2012-04-29T07:55:23Z")
I meant logistically. If you’re in your house, who’s judging you? ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2012, 8:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-roomie-for-unsubscribing-from-pay-cable-without-consulting-me/620301/8 "2012-04-29T08:21:52Z")
> [@Lord\_Feldon](#): > > I meant logistically. If you’re in your house, who’s judging you? Certainly not Judy–no more cable. ---
**Author:** ![Grumman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/43a26b/32.png) [@Grumman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumman)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2012, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-roomie-for-unsubscribing-from-pay-cable-without-consulting-me/620301/9 "2012-04-29T08:28:59Z")
> [@etv78](#): > > Fuller explanation: We are _strongly_ discouraged to not ever leave the apartment. I think they think that society would judge us if we didn’t leave the house. Or maybe they just want you to interact with other people, so you don’t turn into some sort of crazy cat lady. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2012, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-roomie-for-unsubscribing-from-pay-cable-without-consulting-me/620301/10 "2012-04-29T11:41:14Z")
But then, if they never left the house, they wouldn’t have the interactions that lead to people judging them, now would they? FWIW, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting **etv78** at a Boston DopeFest, and will attest to his cognitive normality and social pleasantness (Yes, I hear you saying “Consider the source” - just shut up, willya?). Hey, **e** , look into [hulu.com](http://hulu.com). 😉 ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2012, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-roomie-for-unsubscribing-from-pay-cable-without-consulting-me/620301/11 "2012-04-29T12:18:08Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > But then, if they never left the house, they wouldn’t have the interactions that lead to people judging them, now would they? That’s the great thing about people: they’ll judge you no matter what you do, or don’t do. Not giving a shit is a fairly reliable policy. But I’m guessing that this “subsidized” apartment comes with a stricter set of rules than your average rental would have. ---
**Author:** ![Springtime\_for\_Spacers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Springtime\_for\_Spacers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Springtime_for_Spacers)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2012, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-roomie-for-unsubscribing-from-pay-cable-without-consulting-me/620301/12 "2012-04-29T12:41:59Z")
**etv78** I think I’ve read enough of your posts to know you won’t take it the wrong way if I say that I’m watching \*\*The Big Bang Theory \*\* right now and I’m seeing some resemblance. ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2012, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-roomie-for-unsubscribing-from-pay-cable-without-consulting-me/620301/13 "2012-04-29T17:46:14Z")
> [@Springtime\_for\_Spacers](#): > > **etv78** I think I’ve read enough of your posts to know you won’t take it the wrong way if I say that I’m watching \*\*The Big Bang Theory \*\* right now and I’m seeing some resemblance. I assume I’m being compared to Sheldon? Ironically, my Mom is CONVINCED I have Asperger’s (I believe I Pitted her over this) ---
**Author:** ![Springtime\_for\_Spacers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Springtime\_for\_Spacers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Springtime_for_Spacers)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2012, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-roomie-for-unsubscribing-from-pay-cable-without-consulting-me/620301/14 "2012-05-01T02:10:55Z")
> [@etv78](#): > > I assume I’m being compared to Sheldon? Ironically, my Mom is CONVINCED I have Asperger’s (I believe I Pitted her over this) Well, I didn’t mean you personally, just the whole living situation. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2012, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-roomie-for-unsubscribing-from-pay-cable-without-consulting-me/620301/15 "2012-05-01T13:58:01Z")
**etv78** - you should consider the streaming option for Netflix and/or Hulu for your computer. It’s -way- cheaper than cable, even splitting a bill with a roomie, plus you can always watch what you want to watch. The downside is you won’t see as much first run tv, but you can always catch up once the dvds of a season are out. I believe Hulu has a way to watch HBO & Cinemax, too, but I’ve never looked into it. Netflix & hulu can be accessed via smartphone as well as computer. They both work with tablets, too, like the Kindle Fire and the iPad, for even more convenient options. It’s definitely something to consider. In another ten years, we’ll all be canceling our cable bills. ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2012, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-roomie-for-unsubscribing-from-pay-cable-without-consulting-me/620301/16 "2012-05-01T15:23:03Z")
> [@etv78](#): > > Fuller explanation: We are _strongly_ discouraged to not ever leave the apartment. I think they think that society would judge us if we didn’t leave the house. Please don’t take this the wrong way, but why do you allow that? I’m not talking about society, but your home. It sucks that you have spina bifida, but that is in no way a cognitive birth defect. You know that. So why are you allowing these people to dictate your life? ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2012, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-roomie-for-unsubscribing-from-pay-cable-without-consulting-me/620301/17 "2012-05-01T15:54:29Z")
As an addendum, maybe you need to talk to **ambivalid**. I think the guy is kind of an asshole, but on the other hand, there is no way in Hell he would put up with that shit. Maybe you shouldn’t either. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2012, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-roomie-for-unsubscribing-from-pay-cable-without-consulting-me/620301/18 "2012-05-01T16:22:33Z")
> [@Grumman](#): > > Or maybe they just want you to interact with other people, so you don’t turn into some sort of crazy cat lady. I doubt they can have pets there. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2012, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-roomie-for-unsubscribing-from-pay-cable-without-consulting-me/620301/19 "2012-05-01T19:10:16Z")
> [@A Monkey With a Gun](#): > > As an addendum, maybe you need to talk to **ambivalid**. I think the guy is kind of an asshole, but on the other hand, there is no way in Hell he would put up with that shit. Maybe you shouldn’t either. This is… an excellent point. Let him do some good in the world! ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2012, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-roomie-for-unsubscribing-from-pay-cable-without-consulting-me/620301/20 "2012-05-01T19:41:36Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > This is… an excellent point. Let him do some good in the world! Supporting someone’s apparent desire to be an isolated shut-in? Something tells me he wouldn’t be up for it. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-roomie-for-unsubscribing-from-pay-cable-without-consulting-me/620301.md?page=2)