Better than Jack Tripper, a roomate reflects.
May 3, 2007 2:57 PM Subscribe
How do I (quickly) become the best roomate ever?
I am a grad student and therefore broke, busy and at times, a mole in my cavernous room. I have a few months off before venturing into the work world and I would like to devote myself to redeeming my presence in my shared apartment.
So, what can I do to let my roomates know I do indeed love em after months of being flakey, behind with bills and absent on "fun nights?" These roomates are my friends and have told me "no big deal" many times but with this up coming break I'd like to let them know how much they mean to me and not just say it like a Teddy Ruxbin.
I am a grad student and therefore broke, busy and at times, a mole in my cavernous room. I have a few months off before venturing into the work world and I would like to devote myself to redeeming my presence in my shared apartment.
So, what can I do to let my roomates know I do indeed love em after months of being flakey, behind with bills and absent on "fun nights?" These roomates are my friends and have told me "no big deal" many times but with this up coming break I'd like to let them know how much they mean to me and not just say it like a Teddy Ruxbin.
Best answer: Clean the bathroom, the windows, the windowsills, baseboards, all those places that never get cleaned. Cook some meals. Bake cookies.
And prepay next month's rent, even by a few days.
posted by acoutu at 2:59 PM on May 3, 2007
And prepay next month's rent, even by a few days.
posted by acoutu at 2:59 PM on May 3, 2007
Pay your bills and don't be that person who doesn't take "no big deal" on face value.
posted by found missing at 3:01 PM on May 3, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by found missing at 3:01 PM on May 3, 2007 [1 favorite]
yeah, pay your bills, now and in the future
posted by Salvatorparadise at 3:04 PM on May 3, 2007
posted by Salvatorparadise at 3:04 PM on May 3, 2007
Response by poster: Just a note:
With the bills its like a day folks, and thats on communal bills.
I ask for ideas, not criticism please. Plus, its finals time, I need some positive feedback. THANKS
posted by Meemer at 3:04 PM on May 3, 2007
With the bills its like a day folks, and thats on communal bills.
I ask for ideas, not criticism please. Plus, its finals time, I need some positive feedback. THANKS
posted by Meemer at 3:04 PM on May 3, 2007
What do you mean, you want positive feedback?
posted by found missing at 3:08 PM on May 3, 2007
posted by found missing at 3:08 PM on May 3, 2007
Response by poster: Sorry, should have articulated better. What I mean is I am all set with the bill paying, what I am looking for is novel, cheap, thoughtful ways to let these fantastic people know I appreciate living with them. Creativity is what I am after, thanks :).
posted by Meemer at 3:12 PM on May 3, 2007
posted by Meemer at 3:12 PM on May 3, 2007
Well then, what more do you need than acoutu's answer? My favorite roommates ever did their fair share, paid their way, and gave me plenty of personal space. Hard to give you suggestions beyond acoutu's, not knowing to what degree your roommates like you in their hair.
posted by found missing at 3:18 PM on May 3, 2007
posted by found missing at 3:18 PM on May 3, 2007
Cleaning is good; especially all those little things that tend to get neglected. Clean the fridge. Hardly anyone every does that (at least in my experience) and it can get really nasty.
If you can swing it, stock up on the little shared essentials so that nobody has to think about them for a while. TP, paper towels, laundry detergent, dish soap, that sorta thing.
Free, fresh food is always, always welcome. If it's home cooked/baked, it has the added benefit of making the house smell great as well (hopefully, anyway!)
Next time you're doing laundry, offer to throw their towels, etc (ie non-personal stuff) in with yours. Wash the communal stuff as well (dish rags, etc).
I guess they're not overly cheap or creative ideas, just the things I used to appreciate from my roomies back in the day!
posted by cgg at 3:19 PM on May 3, 2007
If you can swing it, stock up on the little shared essentials so that nobody has to think about them for a while. TP, paper towels, laundry detergent, dish soap, that sorta thing.
Free, fresh food is always, always welcome. If it's home cooked/baked, it has the added benefit of making the house smell great as well (hopefully, anyway!)
Next time you're doing laundry, offer to throw their towels, etc (ie non-personal stuff) in with yours. Wash the communal stuff as well (dish rags, etc).
I guess they're not overly cheap or creative ideas, just the things I used to appreciate from my roomies back in the day!
posted by cgg at 3:19 PM on May 3, 2007
Leave a room cleaner than when you entered it.
Cook glorious meals.
Buy beer.
posted by utsutsu at 3:20 PM on May 3, 2007
Cook glorious meals.
Buy beer.
posted by utsutsu at 3:20 PM on May 3, 2007
Make them a delicious dinner one night. Serve with a decent bottle of wine/alcoholic beverage.
posted by Dalton at 3:23 PM on May 3, 2007
posted by Dalton at 3:23 PM on May 3, 2007
You say you've been absent on "fun nights"? Well then, why don't you prepare your own fun night. Ask when everybody's available and get some food, drink and games. Examples: poker, silly board games, etc.
Everyone will get the point you're trying to make: I'm sorry I haven't been "around" for a while, but I'm here now and I appreciate your company.
Or, for the cheapest idea: just tell them that.
posted by CrazyLemonade at 3:40 PM on May 3, 2007
Everyone will get the point you're trying to make: I'm sorry I haven't been "around" for a while, but I'm here now and I appreciate your company.
Or, for the cheapest idea: just tell them that.
posted by CrazyLemonade at 3:40 PM on May 3, 2007
Make a commitment to them to do some of the regular necessaries: emptying the dishwasher (if you have one), taking out the trash, cleaning the bathroom. The commitment will be valued and noted more than little grace notes might be. It will also make it easier for you to follow up on your generous impulse.
If you have money, treat them to a night out, or pay for cable one month.
posted by Clyde Mnestra at 3:43 PM on May 3, 2007
If you have money, treat them to a night out, or pay for cable one month.
posted by Clyde Mnestra at 3:43 PM on May 3, 2007
Best answer: Buy flowers, buy a nice vase if you don't have one available, maybe put the whole thing in the middle of the table that's covered in the meal you prepare. Definitely include a note or card.
If they'll be staying - plant flowers!
If you want to be super creative: you could make a little photo documentary book about your time as roommates, then give one to everybody. Just a few pages would be really cool. My heart is touched just thinking about it.
If you all share/listen to music together (intentionally or not), you could make a compilation CD.
If you watched a good TV show together (this isn't that cheap), you could give them a DVD of show episodes.
posted by amtho at 3:46 PM on May 3, 2007
If they'll be staying - plant flowers!
If you want to be super creative: you could make a little photo documentary book about your time as roommates, then give one to everybody. Just a few pages would be really cool. My heart is touched just thinking about it.
If you all share/listen to music together (intentionally or not), you could make a compilation CD.
If you watched a good TV show together (this isn't that cheap), you could give them a DVD of show episodes.
posted by amtho at 3:46 PM on May 3, 2007
Plo chops all around. That should do the trick.
But seriously, the best way to let them know is just to tell them and to spend some time with them.
posted by mds35 at 8:58 PM on May 3, 2007
But seriously, the best way to let them know is just to tell them and to spend some time with them.
posted by mds35 at 8:58 PM on May 3, 2007
« Older Buying bugs - beneficial or bogus? | Help me find other artists in the more mellow Nick... Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by muddgirl at 2:58 PM on May 3, 2007