Apartment Politics: How To Handle A Roommate On The Other Side Of The Aisle

February 1st, 2012 by Ron Leshnower| Posted in Apartment Guide, Apartment Life 2.0, Apartment Living, Apartment Relationships, College Housing, Going To College, Off Campus Apartments, Roommates, Tips & Tricks | 3 Comments »

By MyNewPlace Guest Blogger, Ron Leshnower – About.com’s Apartment Living Expert!

2012 is an election year and, as daily headlines remind us, the country is in the middle of a contentious primary season.

If you’re sharing an apartment with another person, this is a time when you may discover that your roommate favors a candidate you find abhorrent or takes a view on an issue that’s in sharp contrast with how you feel.

It’s nice if you agree with your roommate when it comes to politics, because it’s one more thing you have in common. But when roommates don’t see eye to eye on political issues, there’s no need to view disagreements as a threat to your good roommate relationship.

Compatibility is key when looking for the perfect roommate. When it comes to politics, what’s important is that roommates respect each other’s views and different backgrounds. It’s easy to let your roommate’s politics get to you, feeling as if your belief system or values are suddenly under attack in your own home. But remember that your roommate didn’t adopt any political view to spite you, and so while friendly debates might be fun, getting defensive and argumentative isn’t healthy, productive, or warranted.

The truth is that people of all political persuasions can make great, considerate, and responsible roommates, and there’s no reason that politics should interfere with a terrific roommate experience.