For those who’s lived with roommates, it seems like everyone has their set of standards when it comes to cleanliness. It’s frustrating when you put two polar opposites in one room as it can be a spell for disaster. If you’re frustrated with the mess, talk to your roommate about it. Together, you can develop a system that collaborates with and compromises. The following are ways Champion Movers recommends you can address your roommate without pulling their hair out!
Speak to Them
Be straightforward and honest. You want to be as specific as possible with your roommate, so they’re easy to live with. For instance, if your roommate doesn’t wash her dishes after using them, ask if they can wash them right away.
It’s all in the words you say. Make sure you don’t use offensive words that could hurt their feelings as this can be counter-effective. Take the example above, and add that you understand you’re both busy to address the dishes on the spot. But stress the issue that you’d at least like to see them done on most days. Avoid talking to other people about it until you’ve spoken to your roommate to prevent unnecessary chaos.
Do Not Jump to Accusations
Never begin your conversation by pointing out all the things you don’t like about them. This results in defensiveness, bitter words, and hurt feelings. Instead, focus solely on the issue at hand. Point out the areas that need improvement, and ask if your roommate has requests for you to improve on. Never say phrases like, “That’s so disgusting.” or “I can’t do that!” Instead, try helpful compromises like, “I don’t like the sight of dirty dishes. If you put them all in there, I can empty the dishwasher after.”
Have you had issues with your roommate before? If so, what did you do to put fires out?