Passive Aggressive Post-It Notes

Many people hate conflict, but certain things must be discussed in person. Leaving a sticky note in the shared areas of your apartment is not a healthy way to engage in difficult conversations, and it can often come across as passive-aggressive. For example, if you notice that your roommate hasn't washed their dishes in a while, do not leave a sticky note on the sink saying, "Please wash your dishes." This can be interpreted as rude when a simple passing conversation will go over much better. Remember that tone isn't reflected in writing, and your message can come across as harsher than you intended. 
 

Entering Each Other's Rooms

While much of the space in your apartment will be shared, there should be certain areas that are solely yours. You should not enter each other's rooms uninvited or when your roommate isn't home. If you need something from the other person, knock first, and if they aren't home, call them to ask for permission. It's important to respect each other's boundaries at all times. 
 

Using Each Other's Belongings

If there are items that you and your roommate are planning to share, it's essential that you discuss these beforehand. Unless otherwise agreed upon, do not use each other's belongings or groceries. No one wants to open the fridge to discover that their roommate ate their leftovers or food for the week. Having a shared system is a great idea, but you must keep the lines of communication clear and concise to ensure that you are on the same page. 

Maintaining a healthy and positive relationship with your roommates is easy when you stick to the rules above. Are there any other no-nos that we forgot to mention? Please share them with us in the comments below.

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