I have a very very tiny kitchen in my current apartment. It’s about 1/10 the size of a big kitchen I had at a previous condo I rented 10 years ago, and half as big as my NYC 1 bedroom apartment’s tiny kitchen I had 30 years ago.
One of my closets is filled with all the appliances and dinnerware that don’t fit in my 3 kitchen cupboards.
The tiny kitchen is one way some builders are trying to fit more people into some buildings and neighbourhoods. The builder of my building seemed to plan that most tenants would be subsisting on meal kits and take-out, and many do. My junk mail I empty into recycling (not possible at this building to say no to junk mail) is mostly flyers for meal kits and fast food. There are a ton of tenants in my building who rely on takeout and delivery.
I love that you knew to do this. Good Google-fu. I do similar sleuthing
I haven’t read the article yet, but just wanted to point out that for some jobs, there really is the expectation to work/be electronically tuned in and available pretty much around the clock, especially if you have kids you have to pick up during regular business hours. It doesn’t surprise me that if someone is in a job like that, they would outsource cooking because they just can’t. even. Sometimes the price they pay for high income.
ETA:
In my home, if one of us weren’t primary breadwinner and one homemaking, and we had two large incomes, we’d certainly be ordering in/going out more.
Also, with grocery prices being what they are now, and the amount of labor involved in meal planning and grocery shopping, plus the amount of food waste if you don’t… eating in can be expensive, too.
I make do. Luckily, my apartment has a nice oven with 4 narrower racks instead of 3, and I have 4 burners. My fridge is a nice one, but it’s narrow. I can’t buy a large pizza and fit the box in the fridge.
I can’t make things in 9 by 13 pans. 8 inch squares suffice. I rearrange shelves frequently to accommodate things that wouldn’t fit otherwise.
Some newer small condos built in Toronto over the past 15 years only have a tiny oven or microwave, and 2 burners. Some of those condos with tiny kitchens, depending on the location, are selling for over $500 000.
Because it’s “what you do” when you are living in a $2.6 million dollar home in NYC. It’s a “keeping up with the Joneses” from a visual. Plus, if and when they have guests over for dinner or a party, the caterers can use proper equipment.
For people who can afford it, spending lots of money on delivery is one thing. They have the means to trade their money to save on meal preparation time.
The people I worry about have delivery habits that consume a disproportionate share of their incomes, as some in that NYT article do. I can imagine that breaking the habit takes great determination when a person has been conditioned to crave the instant gratification of ordering meals on apps. They’re trading away the ability to have more choices in life, which you start to gain when you can put even some money aside. Sigh.
The “gourmet” kitchen is now standard to high end and luxury homes. It’s part of the real estate porn, American consumer culture, desire and selling more stuff. I’m not going to mock anyone who has a gourmet kitchen and doesn’t use it. But I will say if you’re that busy you can’t cook dinner, your life sucks. I know, been there, done that…and I did to myself, not working for someone…which is good or delusional, or both. In any case, those gourmet kitchens are pretty but I don’t want one. Nice stuff but cookie cutter really. Also, remember it’s not the gear or the kitchen…it’s the cook.
I have heard that excuse from colleagues and it is just a matter of planning and being organized.
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CCE
(Keyrock the unfrozen caveman lawyer; your world frightens & confuses me)
54
I had 2 kids born while I was working as an engineer and at the same time working through law school, both essentially full time (I ignored the ABA’s claim that you shouldn’t work more than 20 hpw during FT law school). We still managed to put meals on the table like you said, without takeout, and yes, my wife was also working FT except during the 2 mos maternity leave in each case.
And you two made it look like a relaxing activity ? Kudos to those that can do it and inspire others. I’m afraid I didn’t manage to make it look like fun. Perhaps it just looked like more “adulting” to my kids.
I am in the process of shopping for a new home, and find myself avoiding anything that might come across as pretentious!
Sounds quite familiar to our situation - but it is much better than complaining and relying on take out or frozen food from the supermarket
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CCE
(Keyrock the unfrozen caveman lawyer; your world frightens & confuses me)
57
I know you’re joking, but, oh, no, I was feeling fragged the entire time! I’ve never needed much sleep, but that was a taxing time. Luckily the 3 who were born during and just after graduation didn’t get to see just how fragged we were!
The guy in the article and his husband live in Atlanta. $2.6M won’t go far in NYC. It would probably get you a hovel these days…same for many towns in Greater Boston.
I look at it this way—at least they’re patronizing their local restaurants. And feeding their kids. That’s the way I would justify it!
