Living with someone else and sharing room each other is quite difficult enough. You may have struggle to adapt and understand them. Or don’t you just communicate each other? But, you can’t deny it. You still need to communicate each other. Some fights may result if you and your roommate don’t try to understand each other preference. Society19.com have 20 questions as the guideline for your roommate. Don’t worry, some questions are already provided in Serumah’s Profile.
1. Extrovert or Introvert?
Not knowing this can cause a lot of tension between you and your future roommate. If you are an introvert you may expect to be in the room alone quite a bit and if your roommate is an extrovert there may always be people in your room, depriving you of your alonetime. Even if you are both introverts there can be issues when wanting alone time.
2. How much time do you expect to be in the room?
Do you share room with typical busy bee blue collar? Or do you spare with the geek student one? This goes hand in hand with the one above. The last thing you want is no time to the room by yourself, so setting up a schedule for times to be alone in the room is a must.
3. What temperature do you like the room?
Some people resist cold. Some people tend to stay in a normal temperature. Nothing can turn more passive aggressive than the thermostat battle. So the best thing to do in this situation is set up a temperature you both agree on in the room.
4. What type of music do you like?
Music unites us. When you both like the same artist it can make for exciting and fun dance sessions in your room and help start a friendship.
5. Are you clean or messy?
The key to this, especially with random roommates, is honesty. A lot of people don’t want to admit that they’re messy, but it’s okay to be messy! But you definitely don’t want a roommate that says they’re going to be clean and then after a few weeks realize that you can’t even see their side of the room and you have to apologize for the mess when guests come over! Make sure you are honest and up front with them!
6. How will we break up the chores of the room?
How would you like to spare the chores ofthe room? It’s no fun to be doing all of the cleaning in the room. And surely your roommate doesn’t want to be doing the same.
7. What’s your private policy?
What are your roommate’s ideas of privacy, is it okay to be in the room when you’re skyping or talking on the phone or is it not?
8. Who will you expect to be in the room?
It’s always uncomfortable when you are face to face with your roommate’s mom in the middle of the weekend. So guest expectations are important to set up, especially letting them know how many people and when they’re coming over.
9. If something is wrong how will you communicate that to me?
Speak to me. Text me. Or just let me ask to the tarot card reader? How will your roommate remind you that you need to clean it or that you should leave more time to prepare in the morning? Will they leave the dreaded sticky notes or will they tell you? Know each other’s communication styles so you don’t get more upset when the situation could be avoided.
10. Are you a night owl or a morning dove?
Does your roommate like to stay up late with the lights on, or do they go to bed at 7:00 PM? It can get annoying to have someone waking you up when you’re asleep or you having to tiptoe into the room by the light of your flashlight, trying to get ready for bed or find whatever you’re looking for.
11. When can there be noise and light in the room?
Can you play the music at 10 PM? If you’re asleep can they turn on the lights or do they need to use a dim light?
12. Do you expect to have your boyfriend or girlfriend over?
Pretty sure you don’t want to walk in on your roommate and their significant other hitting it off one night. And vice versa, quite awkward for both parties! So the best way to avoid this is to set up boundaries or a communication system of when they can have their alone time (A simple text message works or if you have a whiteboard maybe draw a symbol to let the other know!)
13.What won’t you tolerate in the room?
Maybe having boyfriends in the room isn’t okay with you or your roommate. Will they allow partying or drinking in the room? Some of these things may be intolerable for them or you, make sure you set rules on what you will or won’t have in the room.
14. Who is bringing what?
This is a bit simpler, who is going to bring the microwave, the fridge, the futon, or maybe extra lamps? Is it a necessity that you spread out the major purchases or will one person cover more? But it’s better if the flat is already furnished.
15. Do you have any ideas for color schemes?
Having a coordinating room is aesthetically pleasing and can be much more relaxing to come home to after a long day of classes. Although this isn’t necessary, it can make the room much more inviting.
16. What do you do on the weekends?
Do you go out, stay in, or do they expect to hang out with you? Make sure you both have a clear idea of each other’s expectations.
17. What major did you take? What’s your university?
What someone is studying says a lot about who they are as a person, their passions, interests, and goals. Asking your roommate’s background this will help you get a better sense of understanding their personality. Who knows, you may even be able to bond over it!
18. Do you smoke or vape?
If you don’t smoke or vape and your roommate does, setting boundaries on where they can smoke it essential because you definitely don’t want to walk into the room and have everything smell like tobacco (or something else).
19. How do you feel about sharing?
Is it okay for your roommate to eat your snacks or drink your coffee? Or how about sharing clothes?
20. Do you have any allergies?
You wouldn’t want to leave your peanut butter jar out in the open if your roommate is a few feet away and severely allergic! It seems trivial, but these little questions help your roommate know you care about creating a positive environment to live in.
Do you have any other questions you think are necessary to ask someone before you start living with them? Try to find your roommate candidate in Serumah.