Roommate Etiquette and Contracts
Nov 28th, 2008 by admin
The best thing that you can do is avert problems prior to they get started. Roommates unavoidably are going to struggle about something, but you should try to reduce the level of the conflict by talking early about what you want from each other. A useful strategy is to stop a roommate disagreement at the start of the semester. Besides, you may avoid numerous collisions by practicing a common sense of roommate etiquette.
When something is troubling you, do not just pay no attention to the problem, but hope it will vanish away. It perhaps will not, and soon you will have a list of discontents about your roommate you have never communicated. Maybe your roommate will be amazed why you look so angry for you have never formulated what is bothering you. Confrontation is hard. However, it is even more too hard to live with somebody you cannot stand, so take a long breath, and speak with your roommate.
While voicing your complaints, concentrate on the problem, not on the person. Assaulting your roommate will result in further disagreement between you and your roommate, and chances are you will not get what you plan.
For example, right: “We clearly have diverse thoughts about how tidy this room must be. Could we attempt to compromise?” wrong: “You are a repulsive slob and I hate dwelling with you in this pigsty!”