Monday Manners: Roommates

The other thing about having roommates is that you're probably sharing each other's stuff. So you should take care of it like it was your own. If they bought the pots and pans but you're the one using them, you should make sure you clean up after yourself. If your roomie brought the sofa from his/her old place, and you accidentially spill your morning coffee on it, you're responsible for getting the spot out. Don't just cover it with a pillow and go to work like nothing's happened. By the time you get back, we promise that stain will be set -- and then you might not even be able to get it out professionally. If your roomies are okay with you borrowing their clothes/shoes (this is more of a female living situation than a male, natch), make sure you still ask before you take anything, and that you clean it before giving it back. And you're absolutely right in expecting these same things from your roommates in return.

Living with a roommate is just easier if you respect common spaces, specifically in the kitchen and bathroom (the two areas that are most prone to getting dirty). You should wash your dishes after using them, rather than leaving them to accumulate in the sink. If you lose a lot of hair in the shower, you probably oughtta think about cleaning out the drain before anyone else needs it. Clean up the kitchen after you make a mess blending frozen margaritas -- and clean up the bathroom after your friends make a mess because of your frozen margaritas. Nobody should have to clean a stranger's vomit. Unless they work at Disney World. For the general cleaning stuff, work out a schedule! Alternate weeks cleaning the common areas (but try not to assign someone to ALL common areas at the same time), and if you need to skip a week for some reason, make sure your roomie's there to cover you. And make sure that you'll cover your roomie to make up for it.

Living together is all about being civil and respectful and most of all, well mannered. No matter how annoying your roommate(s) can get, there's really no reason to be rude. if you've got a bone to pick, at least try to pick it calmly before exploding. If you're worried you'll yell if the issue is addressed face-to-face, leave a note. But don't be mean or condescending in it -- air out your feelings and move on with your day. Don't forget, you're stuck living with your roomie(s), whether you get along or not, so there's really no reason to pick fights.

Oh -- and this goes without saying -- but at all costs, you should avoid sleeping with a roommate. We've seen those situations turn messy and awkward, and we're just trying to save you the pain and heartbreak ahead of time. Next week, we'll spare the people you speak with on the phone an equal dose of pain and heartbreak.

Image via: UnBeige