Roomies

From the ancient avenues of Rome to Sesame Street and through out the ages there have been great roommate sagas. Whether you are soon to share your abode with a real world roomies, that romantic someone special, a fellow college student or putting up with nearby office mates or cubicle chums, the roommate world is something we all have to face. Just realize you are not alone with your roommate “issues”. Look to the past or just plain fantasy for inspiration and advice on how to deal with that other person or persons living under your roof and in your real world.

Reality is not what you see on television…

Unlike MTV’s The Real World bunch of misfits, you will HAVE to really deal with the real issues of your real roommates.

Gossip Girl…

It is just plain old good advice. If you cannot say anything good about someone, do not say anything, blah, blah. Especially about your roommate.

Don’t do the Ashton Kutcher thing…

Yes, Ashton we got it. You are a perpetual kid in search of meaning in your inane privileged, non acting talented world. As a roomie in any capacity do not be like Ashton. No one needs to know every detail about your or your shared spaced other…a roommate is not Twitter fodder. Also, never “punk” your roommate, except in the cases of revenge “punking” or if you have a rich history of college-esque practical joking. Like his camera commercials, no need to get into every little nick and cranny of your roomies personal life, give them some space. Finally, don’t move in or in Ashton’s case marry your mom.

Harmony on your own Sesame Street

You have to work at your relationship. After all, the two Muppets, Bert and Ernie, stayed together for decades. And I am not taking sides on any argument that they might have been gay.

Transformers

No need to be a Decepticon, be yourself, but you may need to do some transforming changing to keep a healthy roomie world. Change is a good thing and sometimes, you just have to be the hero or heroine with a super human effort to live with someone much different than you.

Denial is not just river in Egypt

Anthony and Cleopatra are a classic example of avoiding the roommate issue by “playing house” at your significant other’s abode. Face up to what is going on or you might get bitten in the asp.

Sometimes Three’s Company

It’s not the 70’s anymore and stranger company have become roomies since then. Some of you might want to try out a little coed roommate cohesion. Or in the ground hogging cubicle whole world, shake things up. Don’t just eat your Subway and pretend to work while Twittering. Tear down a cube and personal wall every now and then.

Keep your reputation Snow White…and the Seven Dwarves

Your roomy relationship, how you deal with the good times and bad is up to you. It is a reflection of you. Consider Snow White. She roomed with seven guys. Some see her as Princess others as just a tramp with a midget fetish.

Little Women equals big problems

Too much of something can be hazardous to your health. In the classic by Louisa May Alcott, it was estrogen. No matter the roommate type, give diversity a chance.

This ain’t no game show

Remember it is not always the last one standing that wins. In your roomy Survivor, you do not get roommate immunity and you do not have the privilege of always voting someone off the island.

OH! Back to that whole reality programming thing…

No cameras, but probably life with all types of roomies from family to college buds to your fiancé’s psycho cat can have very REAL drama, ups, downs and high draws from viewer demographics 18-32 year olds. Reality with people? Can’t live with them and you cannot live without them. Have a little love for them regardless of how much a pain in the bum they can be at times.

Like castaways, you’re here for a long, long time…

You will have to make the best of things on your own Gilligan’s island.

Roomie, roomie, rooo! Where are you? – Scooby and Shaggy

Nothing breaks the ice like a big bunch of munchies and roomie snacks…just hang out in your Mystery Van and get to know one another a little better.

Friends for life

Sometimes you are just made to be roommates, like Joey and Chandler. All you might need is a pair of recliners and a huge television for roomy bliss. And plasmas are totally coming down on price…pick out a nice one as football pre-season is just around the corner.

Don’t be a Vick!

Respect your roomies dogs, cats, fish and occasional feisty hamster. Set down some ground rules.

Roommate bliss is not just a fairy tale

Remember conflict is a part of every human association.  If Shrek and Donkey, an ogre and an ass, can get along so can you and a roommate.

At times you have probably seen or will come to know your own roomy relationship as a tragedy or dark comedy. Whether your roommate experience is positive or negative, nothing beats all the growing up that takes place while you are in that relationship.

Having roommates sets you up a little bit better to handle family, co-workers, boy/girl friends, husbands, significant others and the whole host of human interactions later in life. Learn from your mistakes and successes now. Don’t be like the first roommates: Adam and Eve. In the end, even they got evicted!