My roommate is my life... or not

I hear such statements often, after the meteoric rise of a roommate from being a complete stranger to becoming the most significant person in one's life.

- DR ARPAN YAGNIK

Roommates are interesting entities with immense potential to bring both joy and agony. Since roommate culture is on the rise, it is worth giving it some attention. Here, we will look at some interesting aspects and facets of the roommate phenomenon.

Different approaches to privacy and personal space are striking aspects of this union. Some cultures appreciate quiet time and individual autonomy, whereas other cultures are predominantly communal in nature. They share everything, and maybe all the time, too. Sharing of materials is a grey area where rules need to be set in advance about the use of your roommate's clothes, shoes, toiletries, school materials, groceries, etc. This can lead to interesting dynamics, with roommates from different backgrounds navigating contrasting expectations, which are also the seeds of potential misunderstandings.