How You Can Get Along With Your Roommate

Sharing a room with a family member or a friend can be tough, but it becomes especially difficult when you’re sharing it with someone you barely know. A lot of people, however, have very little choice when it comes to this matter. As much as they want to have the room all to themselves, they are forced to give up half their space, if only to save on rent. If you find yourself in a similar situation, do not despair. There are things you can do to help you cope with having a roommate, no matter who it may be.

First of all, you have to remember that you get what you give. If you are nice to others, then others will be nice to you as well.

But sometimes, it takes a lot more than being nice to make the relationship work. You also need to set boundaries for yourself and for the other person. So before your new roommate moves in, talk to him. Set the rules early on and discuss your expectations.

Remember that there are two things that make up any good relationship: trust and respect. The same thing applies to having a roommate. You have to respect each other. So he has that new Playstation 3 game that you’ve always wanted to try out? Ask permission first. If he says no, don’t take it against him. If he lets you borrow his stuff, take care of the item and treat it as if it were your own. Make sure that you return it in the same condition as when you borrowed it.

To avoid arguments over who does what around the house, clean as you go. For chores that can be shared, you may want to split it equally so that you don’t do all the housework. Take turns in washing the dishes. You may do it every other day or you may split the task so that you only have to do it in the morning and your roommate will only have to do it at night.

When it comes to food and grocery items, determine what can be shared. Don’t be too stingy when it comes to sharing food. On the other hand, you may or may not want to share that designer face cleanser of yours. Determine what you can share and what you can’t and be clear about it. The advantage of sharing food is that both of you can save on time and food preparation.

One common cause of friction between roommates is the time of sleep. Each person is different. You certainly cannot impose your own sleeping habits on your roommate but you can talk to your roommate and agree to keep the noise down after a certain hour. That way, you can sleep soundly and he can work or do his business without bothering you.

Sharing a space with a roommate requires a lot of adjustment from both parties. The relationship may be awkward at first but you never know. Your roommate might just turn out to be your next best friend.

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