How To Deal With a Bad Roommate

Ask him what you do that annoys him. This way, he won’t feel he’s being attacked.

Negotiate. Tell him that if he stops blowing his nose in the dishtowels, you’ll stop doing yoga in the nude.

Decide on some house rules, like how loudly and when music can be played; how often friends can come over and/or sleep over; how clean the bathroom and kitchen should be, and how to handle offensive smells in those rooms.

Adjust your schedule to minimize the time you’re together. For example, make plans to go out on evenings he’s planning to kick back at home.

Kill him… with kindness. Bring home the cookies he likes; offer to wash the dishes when you know he’s running late; make him chicken soup when he’s sick. If you change your attitude, he might do the same.

Still not getting along? Take steps to terminate the arrangement, whether that means speaking to a Residence Assistant about getting a new roommate, or asking your landlord if you can break your lease.