lessons from your roomates

[Emmy]

I was reading the thread on roomates in the 'life' section.  I was wondering what lessons you learned from your bad roomates.

I've learned:

*That if somebody gives a sob story of how their roomate was so evil and that's why they are moving out and need another roomate and are asking you for the favor, proceed with caution.  Many times the person telling the sob story is the bad roomate as you find out when you live with them.  Of course there are exceptions to this rule.  Get to know somebody well before you room with them.

*Even if you are good friends, that doesn't mean you'll be good roomates.  I think you can get along great with somebody who has different life style habits, but it is hard to live with them.  Often times opposites attract in friendship, but that's not good for a living situation.

*That often giving your roomates an inch means they will take a mile.

[Esther_bunny]

I've learned that you have to discuss beforehand whether or not you'll be sharing food!
I've also learned that it is a courtesy to let the other know when you'll be gone for longer than a day. (No, I'm not your parent but I need to know if I should start worrying about you or not!)

[housewife2k]

I've learned to never rule out stupidity as a reason something was done. It may seem logical not to place a burning candle on a pile of newspapers, but someone will.
I've learned to clearly mark food.
I've learned how to strategically hide things behind dressers.
I've learned that I am more patient than I thought.

[Buffy2424]

I've learned to appreciate my post-roommate life!

[Pixie]

I learned to get everything in writing, especially if its a friend.

[Rose2Bear]

I've learned sometimes you just gotta speak up when someone leaves a bowl of milk on their desk in a really hot room for four days... 

**shuddering at the gross memory of that**

[Clara Bow]

Make your boundaries clear and well known from the first day.
Make rules about romantic partners in the house.
Be sure you try to keep a sense of humor.
Let me known where to find you in an emergency and where you'll be when you leave. I'll not go into how many girls have been murdered, raped, etc because no one knew where they were or how long they's be gone.
Let it be known what we can share and what we cannot.

[scooter2071]

I've learned that you have to discuss beforehand whether or not you'll be sharing food!
I've also learned that it is a courtesy to let the other know when you'll be gone for longer than a day. (No, I'm not your parent but I need to know if I should start worrying about you or not!)

My first ever roommate scared the daylights out of me by disappearing the first weekend of the program. We were in a gov't community service program (similar to Peace Corps) and it was my 1st time away from home. We were in DC (Anacostia area) and she just never came home, I stayed up all night freaking out and it turned out she had a sister that lived in DC and had spent the 1st weekend at her place. I was freaked because we hadn't been in the area long enough to make 'friends' with locals or anything so I couldn't rationalize her disappearance. I told her how freaked I was and she kinda looked at me like I was crazy. She was more worldly, I suppose because she had already been to college.

[hobish]

I learned that a huge box of cereal, a huge box of pretzels, and a huge box of frozen pizza can keep 3 poor people going for longer than you think.

I learned how to adjust the height of the vacuum cleaner so that it actually picks stuff up.

I learned that after 3 or 4 7&7's you can get even a burly tough guy to do the cabbage patch with you right out on the front porch.

I learned how to ride a motorcycle.

I learned how to throw a knife with reasonable accuracy.

I learned a lot about fixing cars (and that having gear-heads for roomates rocks!)

I learned that i really can't stand Bob Seger.

...and now i learned that i had really amazing luck with housemates! The only really bad thing that happened - with the housemates - was me getting in a fight with my housemates girlfriend when she told me to get out and it was MY HOUSE. That was bad. It blew over, though.

[dietcokeofevil]

That it can be better to live with people you get along with, but aren't part of your normal social group, than living with people you socialize with all the time.

That when something is bothering you...talk to your roomie about it...don't leave a veiled note or just act mean and expect the roomie to read your mind.

Living with a roomie who takes the occasional weekend trip is much better than the roomie who never leaves.

[housewife2k]

I would like to add
It is far better to set up a laundry rotation that to assume it will be available when you need it.
I learned that dishsoap can be used to clean almost anything.
I learned how to make a recipe for eight fit for two, and conversely, how to make a recipe for two fit eight.
I learned the exact number of cases of soda that will confortable fit in an entryway closet if you are willing to keep nothing else in there.

[shadowfox79]

That you don't truly know someone until you live with them.

That there is a difference between laid-back and utterly slobby, and also between clean and anally retentive.

That some people are really only made to be your drinking partner, not your roommate or close friend. (Luckily she wasn't actually my roommate - she roomed with some mutual friends. She was a good laugh and fun to party with, but she was physically incapable of thinking about anyone but herself.)

That even the most apparently responsible people can be delinquent when it comes to paying the bills.

That even the most innocuous issues and the most laid-back people can become explosive when notes are attached to fridges.

[Reddie321]

When living with my sister...don't expect the irrational to suddenly possess mental clarity during an argument.  Sense and logic have no place in those situations.  Best to just go your separate ways and cool off.  (What's that saying?  Never wrestle with pigs...you get dirty and they enjoy it...)

Also...get a locking mechanism on your bedroom door (preferably one that actually requires a key-not a bobby pin!), and quite possibly another one (with a different key) for your closet!

[DottyG]

I learned that cockroaches really DON'T die in the microwave if you turn it on.  They just run around happily enjoying the rays.

[housewife2k]

I learned that cockroaches really DON'T die in the microwave if you turn it on.  They just run around happily enjoying the rays.

That is too funnny, kind of gross, but funny.