How to get along with your roommates and feel comfortable

One of the stages of independent living is learning how to get along with strangers. This is especially true if you have to share a home with someone and unwittingly be part of a community.

The online publication Bit Rebels has published several recommendations for students and interns who share apartments. By following these rules, you can easily avoid conflict situations and feel comfortable in any environment

So, if you want to establish normal relations with your roommates, you need to do the following:

• Mark your "territory" and the boundaries that you should not cross, and let them know about it right away. Such a "move" will smooth out a lot of conflict situations in the future.

• Ask the people who live next door to you about the same thing. Showing interest in other people's "taboos" usually inspires respect, positive feedback, and makes a good impression.
• Ask about existing rules and treat them with respect. Do not impose your own standards of behavior. Instead, accept what is and suggest improvements if you have good ideas.
• Observe the people around you. This will give you answers to the question of how to get along with this or that person. How do people spend their time? How often do they talk to each other and what topics they like? Who do you like and who are you neutral about and why? This analysis reveals people's worldviews and helps you get to know them better before you develop a closer relationship with them.
• Show empathy, but remain yourself. Be open to participate, but only if you are allowed to. Even if you are an introvert by nature, showing interest in other people's problems is a great way to create an atmosphere of mutual understanding.

Generally, moving to a new place and meeting new people seems stressful, but you can minimize it by being friendly, cheerful, and respectful.