How to Bond with Your New Roommate

While you might not want to spend every second of your life socializing with your new roommate, it is always a good idea for two people who cohabitate to be on good terms. Learning about each other's likes, dislikes, idiosyncrasies and habits can make living together much easier, which means that you will need to find a way to bond with your new roommate. Following are a few conversation starters and ideas for getting the wheels turning.

Bond with Your New Roommate: Ask About Allergies

This is something that many roommates don't know about one another, but it's definitely important. Ask each other about allergies (particularly to food) in case you take turns making dinner or find your roommate suffering from an allergy attack or reaction. You should also know if your roommate is allergic to animal dander in case you want to bring a dog or cat home as an extra live-in guest.

Bond with Your New Roommate: Decorate the Apartment or House

One of the best ways to bond with your new roommate is to decorate together. This doesn't mean that you need to pick out china or expensive artwork, but figure out how you want to arrange the furniture and any posters or pictures you have. This type of activity will lead to conversation and will help you learn about one another. While you're moving furniture or hanging pictures, talk about each other's habits and idiosyncrasies. For example, you could say, "I hate it when people put empty milk cartons back in the fridge". This gives each of you a heads-up about the other's pet peeves.

Bond with Your New Roommate: Lay Down the Rules

Another way to get the conversation flowing is to make a list of "rules" for roomies. This doesn't mean that you need to give each other curfews or discuss punishment for not making your bed in the morning; however, setting a few ground rules will make living together more manageable. For example, if you're both in college, you might set down rules about guests during finals time. You could also have rules about overnight guests, locking the doors or putting dirty dishes in the dishwasher.

Bond with Your New Roommate: Get Out of the House

While you and your roommate don't have to be best friends, it is still a good idea to go out together every once in a while. Have dinner at a local restaurant or visit a museum; whatever strikes your fancy. This will give you a chance to learn about each other's likes and dislikes and will also be a great bonding activity. Just make sure that the planned activity is something you both enjoy.

Bond with Your New Roommate: Go Grocery Shopping

I lived with a girl friend of mine (not girlfriend) during law school and we made a point to go grocery shopping together every Sunday afternoon. It was a chance not only to pick up necessities for the week but also to catch up on each other's lives. For example, she'd tell me if she had any major plans for the coming week and we'd discuss classes, exams, family and other topics. Grocery shopping might not sound like the most fun activity, but it will give you an opportunity to chat.