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Original poster

Locked Kitchen Cupboard reactions

299 replies

LockedAndLoaded1 · 05/07/2021 06:50

Is it considered strange to have a lock on one of your kitchen cupboards?

So as a single person, I have been dating, and on three occasions now, when I’ve brought a date home, they have had surprising (to me) reactions to my locked kitchen cupboard.

This is not a lock I have put on there myself, I moved into the property and it was already this way, it is built almost seamlessly as part of the kitchen design, and there is a turn key on one of the units… I do use this to place my more personal items.

When someone tries to open it, it resists, of course. And then I am questioned about it… I find that wrong and intrusive! First you shouldn’t try to open something that has a turn key on it, and second, you shouldn’t question me about it!

The most serious occasion was when I was dating someone, and after the second time she’d stayed over, we both found whatever was between us wasn’t working out for either of us… at the end when she wanted to list the ways it hadn’t worked out, one of them was that my kitchen cupboard was locked! Does that have anything to do with anything at all?? Really?

And only last night, after having a date stay over her first time, I came into the kitchen to witness her staring and really frowning at it! I’m not sure I would have even noticed if it was me let alone frown at it.

Is it weird to have a kitchen cupboard with a lock and to actually use that lock?

OP posts:
cabingirl · 06/07/2021 21:23

@Exmouthlady

"However, I might want to be able to lock away valuables like legal documents etc so that I don't need to remember to secure them whenever I leave the house - but those types of secure cupboards / drawers are not usually in a kitchen - hence the questions and odd looks she's getting about it."

As my post, they ARE usually in a kitchen in new build properties and have been for the last 10 years. Nothing unusual about the presence of a lockable kitchen cupboard. I live alone, I have one, it's kept locked for safety reasons.

But kitchen lockable cabinets are surely for safety reasons to protect anyone vulnerable from chemicals in cleaning stuffs or medicines (although I would rather keep those in a lockable bathroom cabinet)

If you live alone and don't have any kids visiting you - why would you keep your cleaning stuff and medicines permanently locked up?

FluffyBlueJumper · 06/07/2021 21:24

We have a lock on the sweets / biscuits cupboard. We put it after DC1 and DC2 ate over 2lb of M&Ms in 3 days. Nobody has commented on it yet.

(they have access to bread / fruit / veg / cheese if they are hungry)

wildchild554 · 06/07/2021 21:38

It's wierd but would be quite handy for people with small children, wondering if that was why it was originally put in to stop young children accessing things that could harm them?

Nearly47 · 06/07/2021 21:39

I would love to have a lockable cupboard! A bit unusual location but in a flat is understandable and probably safer for it's unexpected location.
I keep mine in a kitchen drawer now wondering if I can instal a lock on it. I haven't a single lockable cupboards or drawer in my entire house. I remember growing up that the wardrobes and chest of drawers in my house had locks.

sallyfox · 06/07/2021 22:16

yes

Morgysmum · 06/07/2021 22:30

It's odd, but seen as you haven't put it there, it's just something you have grown use to.
I think it is odd, that people have mentioned, have been checking out your cupboards. I guess if they were looking for a cup or something. But why bring it up? It's none of their business.

JonSnowIsALoser · 06/07/2021 22:34

Why not just tell them it's your safe box - which it is in a way? Nobody sensible would question that, even if they were initially intrigued by a locked kitchen cupboard. If they try to pry into what's in the safe box, they cross the line and don't get invited for another "sleepover". Problem solved.

Alittlenonsensenowandthen · 06/07/2021 22:45

Back in the 80s/90s our kitchen had one but it was a proper medicine cabinet within the fitted kitchen

BitterestPill · 06/07/2021 22:47

We have a lockable kitchen cupboard. Really not an obvious lock but very handy. I keep medication and the current bills/bank statement et al file in there. Really quite handy tbh.

BiscuitsNoMore · 06/07/2021 22:47

I lived in a new build built 2016 and they had 1 cupboard locked with a small key. They said it's because they had to do it for medicines etc. By their standards /law?

Imissmoominmama · 06/07/2021 22:48

I wouldn’t even register with me. It’s your flat, you can have whatever you like in it!

bloodynamechangethe3rd · 06/07/2021 22:50

@LockedAndLoaded1

Is it considered strange to have a lock on one of your kitchen cupboards?

So as a single person, I have been dating, and on three occasions now, when I’ve brought a date home, they have had surprising (to me) reactions to my locked kitchen cupboard.

This is not a lock I have put on there myself, I moved into the property and it was already this way, it is built almost seamlessly as part of the kitchen design, and there is a turn key on one of the units… I do use this to place my more personal items.

When someone tries to open it, it resists, of course. And then I am questioned about it… I find that wrong and intrusive! First you shouldn’t try to open something that has a turn key on it, and second, you shouldn’t question me about it!

The most serious occasion was when I was dating someone, and after the second time she’d stayed over, we both found whatever was between us wasn’t working out for either of us… at the end when she wanted to list the ways it hadn’t worked out, one of them was that my kitchen cupboard was locked! Does that have anything to do with anything at all?? Really?

And only last night, after having a date stay over her first time, I came into the kitchen to witness her staring and really frowning at it! I’m not sure I would have even noticed if it was me let alone frown at it.

Is it weird to have a kitchen cupboard with a lock and to actually use that lock?

We had one, house belonged to elderly couple, nurses had the key to access the Leda they couldn't be trusted to administer, I don't find it weird!!
Beastieboys · 06/07/2021 23:49

Well I must be a right weirdo as I have a small safe in my kitchen for personal documents, passport's, drivers licence, any descent amount of money that I've got on me for whatever......

EveryoneIsThere · 06/07/2021 23:57

I don’t think having a locked cupboard is weird but I do think angst’ing about people ‘thinking’ it’s weird is weird. 😂

I have a lockable filing cabinet as does most my family members.

Weird mumsnet

Shinysilversloes · 07/07/2021 00:14

I think it’s a great idea, to keep teenagers out, I wish we had one

QueenBee52 · 07/07/2021 00:39

Sounds like you enjoy highlighting the locked cupboard whereas your guest was probably just looking for sugar/coffee..

I think your reaction to anyone wondering why it's locked... pleases you... you enjoy feeling aghast 🌸

frigglerock · 07/07/2021 02:49

I've never seen a lockable kitchen cupboard, so I'd think it was strange. I might ask about it out of curiosity, wondering what someone would wish to keep locked in a kitchen. The types of things one usually keeps locked away aren't typically stored in a kitchen, ime, so I think a certain degree of curiosity is natural.

If I asked and the person I was dating didn't want to answer, I'd be even more curious, if not suspicious. It seems like an odd reaction to innocent curiosity from someone you're supposedly building a relationship with. I wouldn't expect a detailed list, but just a quick, general response. Chocolate and wine. Important documents. I'd be surprised you kept non-food/kitchen items in the kitchen, but I wouldn't care, my curiosity would be satisfied, and I'd move on.

sue69m · 07/07/2021 05:42

Maybe it was used for storing medical stuff?

QueenBee52 · 07/07/2021 05:46

@sue69m

Maybe it was used for storing medical stuff?
this would make sense, and a fantastic idea, very secure.. I used to use a child lock type thing on mines.. Flowers
pinkpantherpink · 07/07/2021 09:11

How big is the cupboard? That might help us put the thing into perspective.

I don't think having a locked cupboard is an issue. Burglars are unlikely to think the crown jewels are in the kitchen 😉

TrulyFubar · 07/07/2021 10:16

If your flat was built within the last decade or so and especially if it is/was a Housing Association home, I think building regulations deemed a lockable cupboard necessary in the kitchen. My old home had one and my son's HA flat has one too.

Mamamamasaurus · 07/07/2021 16:31

My first thought was 'that's weird', then I remembered that my gran has a cupboard in her kitchen that has a small, key lock on it. She never uses it for anything exciting and I suspect she's lost the key. If it's rented, I can understand it.

Pgs007 · 07/07/2021 17:54

I have a lockable cupboard too! It's for medicine and locks to keep kids from being able to get in it, also put bleach and strong chemicals in there

ShitPoetryClub · 07/07/2021 19:07

It's not that strange from a COSHH point of view.
Items of a personal nature though! Grin did you actually say those words to her?

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