When I was dating my important grad school boyfriend, Tom, we had a fight about sharing bathroom items. [Note: I’ve always referred to him as "vip-ex" but I’m sick of it. He gets a name now and that name is "Tom."]
Tom was insulted because I didn't want to share my hairbrush and bath towel with him. My reaction was, "Wouldn't you prefer your own hairbrush and bath towel?"
"You're being petty. You don't care about me."
"What are you talking about?” I didn’t know that sharing bath items was a sign of affection. “How can you say I'm petty?"
"When I go stay with my dad we use the same towel all the time and it's no big deal."
"Well, in my house everyone got their own towel. I'm just treating you like any other guest."
"I don't want to be treated like a guest. You don't want me here." Tom said.
"I can't believe you. Look, I don't care if we share a towel, but when I get out of the shower, I want a dry towel. Just leave a dry one for me, ok?"