subject: The Keys To Harmoniously Living With Other People [print this page] Living with someone is perhaps one of the most difficult aspects of a relationship you can experience. People have different backgrounds and different upbringings, and these things make it difficult for people to get along in the same physical space. It is exacerbated when people don't know how to respect one another.
Respect is the key to living with somebody else. Respect your roommate's stuff. Don't borrow, use, or take anything without getting permission first. Always ask and you will save yourself some pain and irritation later.
It is simple. Don't violate your roommate's space. Ask before you borrow anything. Discuss the sharing of supplies, food, and personal belongings. Never use your roommate's stuff without asking permission and do not allow your friends to do so either.
Set up the ground rules right off the bat. Talk about one another's preferences immediately. Discussing these preferences can help you establish certain rules. Make sure that the rules are clear.
These guidelines will help you to figure out where the boundaries are. When I lived with two other people, we made an excel-style chart with all the chores that needed to be done down one side and our names across the top.
You both need to participate in the upkeep of the living quarters. The sooner you can discuss chores with your new roommate, the better. Make sure to set aside some time to go through the list of common chores, both weekly chores and those that have to be done less frequently.
Understand from the beginning that you and your roommate will have issues with one another. You will eventually learn what your roommate does and doesn't like, when he or she goes to bed and gets up in the morning, how loud he or she is when getting ready to go to class, how many guests he or she likes to have and how often, and so on.
Follow these guidelines and you can make your situation a little easier to bear. Be open-minded and honest when discussing and dealing with issues with your roommate.
