Exhausted Resident's Dilemma: Home-Cooked Meal Ordeal

Greetings. I'm currently enduring the first year of my medical residency, a stage that's proving to be as relentless as anticipated. The hospital consumes my existence, requiring upwards of 72 hours each week, including weekends—a luxury I deeply miss for some downtime overlooking the Pacific from my balcony.

Last Saturday marked my initiation into the world of 24-hour shifts. The experience was grueling; I ended it with sore feet, an aching back, and a mind screaming for a reset button.

Come Sunday, my shifts were slightly less demanding, spanning from morning till evening. In whatever spare moments I found, I checked in on my partner Jamie, who telecommutes. We usually chat about our days, and this time, I got a promise from them to prepare my favorite meal—Katsu with brown rice drenched in plenty of Katsu sauce. My anticipation was high, as it had been ages since I enjoyed a home-cooked meal, given my usual lack of energy to cook post-shifts and odd hours closure of nearby eateries.

My commute home is generally an hour and a half ride, but a severe traffic accident prolonged it immensely that day. Arriving home famished, I was met with disappointment rather than the aroma of cooked rice. Finding the kitchen untouched, my irritation surged. Jamie didn’t respond when I called them, prompting me to search upstairs, only to discover them immersed in video games.

Our ensuing conversation was tense. I questioned why they hadn’t cooked as promised, and it turned out they forgot after being distracted post-work. I pointed out that a simple heads-up would have been considerate, allowing me to grab food on my way. My tone may have been harsh, but the situation warranted it, given my exhaustive work pace and their awareness of it.

Jamie snapped, labeling me unreasonable over what they deemed a "small oversight." Post-argument, hungry and frustrated, I left to satiate my hunger alone. While out, Jamie texted their food request, which I chose to ignore. Upon my return and realization that I hadn't catered to their late request, Jamie called me petty and retreated upstairs. I, too exhausted to retort, opted for silence, focusing solely on my meal, shower, and much-needed rest.

Had this been captured on a reality TV show, I imagine the spectacle would have drawn varied reactions from the audience—sympathy, judgment, maybe entertainment. Reality TV thrives on such personal dramas, painting vivid pictures of everyday struggles that resonate or repel. How viewers might side in such a scenario could highlight the divide in perspectives on professional stress versus personal obligations.

Who was more unreasonable in this scenario?

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