Issue #2– October 25, 2006

Your Roommate the Not-so-Psychic

by: Alex Girard

Roommates have it in them to use all the cups, and wait until there is nothing left to drink out of to do the dishes. They have it in them to cook Spaghetti-O’s in the microwave for 17 minutes and not wipe up the sauce explosions. Roommates have a myriad of options when it comes to aggravating those around them; however, one thing a roommate cannot do is READ YOUR MIND. If the drinking cup marathon and sauce explosion is bothering you, it is your responsibility to let your roommate know. Letting a series of little annoyances build-up inside is not healthy, and chances are a simple short conversation between roommates will help the situation.

A bad way to start a conversation with your roommate in regards to their excessive cup usage:

“You never clean ANYTHING. You are a bad person. Because you never clean the cups and let dishes build up in the sink, I am going to stop flushing the toilet and let things build-up there.”

A good way to start a conversation with your roommate in regards to their excessive cup usage:

“I am bothered because whenever I need liquid refreshment and reach into the cupboard for a cup there are none clean and available, could we all work on doing the dishes as we use them?”

People have varying degrees of comfort when it comes to advocating for their needs and confronting those around them. Your community advocate is a great resource when it comes to roommate issues and facilitating communication. To find out more, contact the Residence Life apartment area office at:

475-4300
AIM: RITAPTS
Ritapts@rit.edu

For more articles from this issue, click here