Cabinet Etiquette

As a twenty-something-year-old, you should have a pretty good grasp on life by now. If you don't, no need to panic, neither do I. However, at the very least, you should be aware of proper cabinet etiquette.

I've sat through a four hour etiquette class before and they completely skipped over cabinets, which is a damn shame. Sure, I know which fork is for my salad, but how often do I eat a five course meal? Answer: never. Now, how often do I use the cabinets in my house? Answer: always.

Cabinet Etiquette Rule #1: Don't put back empty boxes. There's nothing worse than having a box of apple crisp granola bars catch your eye and while your mouth begins to salivate thinking about the flaky cinnamon pastry, you grab the box only to realize it's empty. Seriously? Rude.

Cabinet Etiquette Rule #2: Don't put back a bag of cheese puffs with four cheese puffs in it. I don't know what's worse, grabbing an empty box and having your dreams immediately crushed, or being left with four cheese puffs in a giant bag. Why would you even put that back? How would that ever satiate my hunger for cheesy puffs? Either eat the last four or throw them out.

Cabinet Etiquette Rule #3: Put things back where they belong. Simple, right? WRONG. We have about six large jars of peanut butter open solely due to the fact that when someone opens the cabinet and doesn't immediately see peanut butter, we go out and buy more. This results in open peanut butter in every cabinet. It's a vicious cycle. Put things back where you got 'em!

Cabinet Etiquette Rule #4: Prevent stale Cocoa Puffs. So you're putting back a box that isn't empty, is in it's correct cabinet, and has a least a serving size left - congrats, you're almost an adult. Don't celebrate too soon, however, because if you don't roll the bag down all the way inside of the cardboard box then you might as well have broken the first three rules. There's nothing like stale cereal to start your day off on a horrible note. Don't be that guy.

Cabinet Etiquette Rule #5: Don't be a squirrel. Don't act like you don't know exactly what I'm talking about. Your mom just went shopping and she bought the Mint Milano cookies that your little brother can devour in one sitting. What's a girl to do? Hide them. Hide them like a freakin' squirrel hiding it's nuts for the winter. Everyone knows the best snacks are always tucked behind the Raisin Bran, because you know that box is never gonna move.

Got any other Cabinet Etiquette Rules? Let me know!

- CK