Roomies: Besties or enemies?

Having a good roommate can have a big influence on the quality of your life. So make sure you aren’t heading into trouble.

For those who were fans of the popular series F.R.I.E.N.D.S, you may remember the character Eddie Menuek, Chandler’s crazy roommate who has a strange sense of humour and an obsession with drying fruits.

In one of the episodes, Eddie is seen watching Chandler sleep because it makes him feel peaceful. Creepy, much? While having a roommate is often an exciting and rewarding experience, at the same time it may be taxing if your roommate is much like Eddie.

Roommates become an essential part of your college life. Some of us have even met our best friends like that. Kumail Sadiq, a student in Bangalore says that he shared some of his most memorable experiences in college with his roommate, Aaron. “Living in a hostel with roommates is one of the best experiences in college. Spending three amazing years eventually makes them your extended family whether you expect it or not. A good roommate would know all your quirks and idiosyncrasies and you would know theirs in a couple of weeks,” he says.

“Since we have just moved away from family and the college experience is new to us, there are times when you are glad that they are around,” adds Kumail.

But, let me tell you, finding the perfect roommate is a myth. In this day and age when the economy as at an all time low and prices are soaring high, sharing a house with someone has become something of a necessity. Roomies may be easy to find but its difficult to find someone who actually fits the bill .

Everyone has a horror story about how the pretty girl from college (read Megan Fox) eventually transforms into the roommate from hell. One who trashes the place, doesn’t clean up after, gets random strangers home, borrows your clothes and forgets to return.

“Moving to a whole different continent and being among new people is always a testing transition. It was in my second year that I moved out and got a place of my own,” says Devender who went to the University of Windsor, Canada.

“Flatmates are either your best friends or your worst enemies. It all depends on how your relationship with them is. A two-way communication is very important especially if it is with someone who is a complete stranger to you,” he explains going on to add, “You need to find a roommate or a flatmate who isn’t nosy and lets you do your thing without really interfering in matters that do not concern him or her.”

At the end of the day, all you need is open communication and to respect each other’s space. Or a better suggestion is to draw up a Roommate Agreement like Sheldon Cooper from the The Big Bang Theory with clauses that will read: “Section 8.c: “Roommates shall give each other 12 hours notice of impending coitus.”

Warnings

1. Be flexible at the same time, be assertive. Don’t let them take you for granted.
2. Don’t nag. You are not their mother.
3. Don’t yell or scream. Talk it out calmly.
4. Be careful when you lend money. Keep a track of how much money has been borrowed.

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Category: Family & Relationships, Health