Basic boundaries are fundamental to any cohabitation situation.
The Original Poster (OP), who goes by the name slowlazymarky, posted his dilemma in the AITA (Am I The A**hole) subReddit, a forum where people pose their dilemmas to a panel of anonymous internet strangers and have them decide who’s to blame based on the following categories:
- NTA – Not The A**hole
- YTA – You’re The A**hole
- ESH – Everyone Sucks Here
- NAH – No A**holes Here
The OP titled his post, “AITA for being semi-naked while step-sister walked in my room.”
“I (m17) have a fungal infection around inner thigh and genital area. I apply my anti-fungal cream before I fall asleep. Because of lockdown my step-sister’s University closed and she (19) moved back in the house.”
“Her Mac’s charger broke, and recently she has been using my charger. After having dinner she left her laptop in my room to charge and we watched an episode of Witcher in Netflix together and then I went to bed.”
“As usual I started to apply my anti fungal cream around my genital. I usually get erection while rubbing the cream.”
Oh boy…
“Suddenly my step-sister walks in(without knocking) and I froze like a deer caught in headlights, with an erection and pants down.”
Oh… oh no…
“My step-sister screamed and my parents came and she told that I made her feel uncomfortable. In my defense I said I was applying anti fungal cream and she should have knocked.”
“Now, my parents want me to apologize to my step-sister and promise that it won’t happen again. I have refused to apologize because it was her fault for not respecting my privacy.”
What kind of family is this?
“So, AITA for not apologizing to my step-sister when she caught me with an erection and pants down.”
“PS: sorry in advance if there are any typos, typing from mobile”
“Edit: I don’t lock my door because if my parents want anything from me they call on my phone from downstairs not show up at my room and I keep my room fairly neat so my mom rarely makes a visit. This habit has made door locking optional for me.”
Oh buddy, bless your heart, door-locking should never be optional in your teen years. Guess some people have to learn the hard way.
That being said, OP’s fellow Redditors found this one to be very cut-and-dried.
“NTA”
“Maybe do a passive aggressive apology. ‘I’m sorry you opened my closed door and walked into my room without knocking and found me applying antifungal cream to my genitals.'” —AnnieJack
“I think this is a good approach. People are really unreasonable when it comes to this subject. She’s the one that messed up and violated your privacy” —Toomuchmeow
“‘I’m sorry you saw my penis. It will never happen again, as long as you knock before entering my room.'” —OpalRayne6725
“‘I’m sorry I assumed you were smart enough to knock before entering someone’s bedroom and I’m sorry I trusted you to do so'” —WolfyLI
“NTA Tell your parents that they are demanding an apology from the wrong person. She should be promising that she won’t enter your room without knocking. Be firm that she’s the one who crossed the line and she’s the one who can ensure it doesn’t happen again.” —5115E
“100% she invaded your privacy which you’re entitled to. Tell them it’s made you feel uncomfortable about your infection, she is not uncomfortable at having seen you she is embarrassed that she barged in on a private moment”—selfproclaimer
“NTA, someone doesn’t knock. It’s all them.” —Most_Average_Joe
“Nta, everyone else is though.”
“Just make this statement: if you don’t knock and wait for an answer, assume im masturbating when you walk in. Sorry you didn’t know, but I’m a 17yo guy, and that’s what you should expect now.” —InvertedRainbow
“Not knocking is one thing but there seems to be a trend of the intruder going the extra step of acting like they’re the injured party. That’s the real ta move. Definitely NTA.”
“I’m not a carefree hippie or European but people are really hung up of the human body. It’s a silly embarrassing mistake. Apologize for walking in and move on. Maybe laugh about it later.” —riptide81
“NTA. Nobody should just walk into somebody else’s bedroom without knocking. Particularly if the door is closed. Your step sister invaded your privacy, and you are right to be annoyed and want an apology from her.” —NarrativeScorpion
After reading the virtually unanimous responses, OP posted an update.
“Final edit: Even though Reddit has decided NTA, but still I passive aggressively apologized to my sister and I promised her that it won’t happen again. Now we are on good terms. I apologized because I know I can’t win an argument with her and I don’t think it’s my place to teach her basic manners.”
“I hope she learned a lesson that she should knock, if not it’s her problem.”
“I will ALWAYS lock my door no matter what.”
“Thanks Reddit.”
At least he learned something from this.