Search Helium

Home > Relationships & Family > Friends & Peers > Friendship Issues & Advice

How to survive the roommate from hell

by Skye Martin

Created on: February 07, 2007   Last Updated: May 03, 2007

If desperation has lead your eyes here then your roommate is controlling your life. Initially, you may think this is a harsh assessment, but stop for a moment and realize you are here because you have been driven here. At least, that is how you feel. But what did you expect to find on the Internet? A Roommate Removal Service? Hopefully not. Most likely you are here because you thought this roommate problem over quite a bit, so much so that it is now eating your sanity raw.

You are thinking that your roommate is bad, enter a plethora of reasons here, but the seriousness of those are all debatable. Whether your roommate drinks your milk and doesn't replace it or slashes your tires while you're asleep, you have a problem. How to fix the problem is the real problem. Well, to start, here are two types of bad roommates:

1. The roommate is annoying or offending in some manner that he or she is not aware of.

This roommate has poor cleaning habits, is inconsiderate of other's possessions or just says the rudest things sometimes. There are a number of examples really, but whatever the case, deep down you know this person doesn't realize that they're brewing hatred inside you. In reality, they may think you're one of their best friends (sometimes that's essence of the problem), meanwhile you envision pounding your fists against their face.

2. The roommate acts out maliciously towards you.

Maybe when you moved in together you were great friends or lovers. However it started, a bad roommate was the last thing you expected this person to end up. Then you had a falling out, maybe it was over poor handling of a #1 type. You talk a little, but you'd rather this person didn't exist. And it's a mutual feeling. This roommate has taken to purposefully destroying or stealing possessions. Maybe it's an outright household war. You don't know what to do, you just want this person to go away.



You can resolve your roommate problems in a variety of ways. Tweek these suggestions to suit your situation best:

1. For the bad roommate who doesn't realize they're being a bad roommate, you can talk to them. You didn't want hear that, but that's what you have to do. Here is how not to initiate the conversation:

Do not hang a note on their door that reads, "We need to talk."
Do not get drunk first.
Do not get them drunk first.
Do not sit them down like a child and list off all the petty things they do wrong.
Do not discuss their actions over Instant Messenger or text messages.

Such are ways you make #2 type

Helium Debate

Cast your vote!

Is it better to have a large or small group of friends?

Click for your side.

91857

Featured Partner

A Day of Hope

A Day of Hope has partnered with Helium, giving you the chance to write for a cause. Browse A Day of Hope's featured titles, pick an issue and write! You can also donate your article earnings. Share what you know, learn n...more


CONNECT WITH US

Read
our blog
Helum for writers

Write and get published
Share with other writers
Polish your freelancing skills

Join our active writing community
Helium Content Source for Publishers

Quality articles from proven freelancers
Exclusive rights, fast turnaround
Brand engagement, business blogging -- our writers do it all

Get custom content today!

INFORMATION


Helium, Inc.
200 Brickstone Square Andover, MA 01810 USA
#