So, you find yourself renting an apartment or a room with someone you barely know. Living with someone is entirely different than actually being best friends with someone. So if you’re moving into a new place with someone, here are a few ways to help you both get along and to steer clear from unwanted dramas.
Find Common Grounds
If you want to get in touch with your roommate, its important to look for something that gets you both interested. Finding something you’re both interested in could help you skip the awkwardness a miss and have a conversation without being shy. Whether it’s music, harmless gossip or movies, finding something in common in a roommate can at least make the situation a little more bearable.
Learn to Admire and Appreciate Your Roommate
Everyone’s got a story to tell, and in this case, you should never judge a book by its cover. Go beyond appearances and figure out what your roommate’s story is. People respond well to people who see something admirable in them.
Communicate
‘Communication errors’ happen whenever you do not make out your point clear. If you don’t like it when someone uses your things, you make it clear to them, but do it politely. At the same time, you can’t read your roommates’ mind, so ask her first before you take what’s hers.
Be the Better Person
There may be times when you feel that the other person is doing something specifically to annoy you. Whether it’s just a ‘flaw’ in their character, or if they really are doing it to you on purpose, take the higher ground and just move on.
Negotiate
Perhaps you’ve already learned how to state a problem and come up with solutions. But if there’s something bothering you, don’t hesitate to bring it up with your roommate so that you can both work it out yourselves and come to a compromise. Just don’t do it when you’re both hungry, tired or furious.
