Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 2: Learning to Deal with a Difficult Person
• Method 2 of 2: Establishing Rules for Living Space
• Tips

It's just awful living with someone you don't like. However, before you read this article, you should consider whether you really hate this man. While it can be difficult to live with someone who dislikes you, there are things that can make the situation easier. Communication is the key to any relationship, even between roommates.This article explores how to communicate with someone you dislike and outlines strategies to reduce conflict in your living environment.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Learning to Deal with a Difficult Person

1. 1 Think about your interactions with an unpleasant roommate. It is possible that your communication with this person is ineffective. And this is where all the difficulties lie.
   • Are you being rude or laconic towards your roommate?
   • What exactly annoys you about this person? Are there certain habits that bother you, or do you generally dislike who you live with?
   • Perhaps you are not the best roommate either? Or maybe you could calmly share your feelings and emotions to improve your relationship with this person.
   • Evaluate your actions and think about what you should do to become better at living with someone.
2. 2 Prepare for interaction. You know that you are likely to have an unpleasant conversation with your roommate, so think ahead about what you will say.
   • Think positively about the upcoming conversation. A bad attitude won't help.
   • Take a deep breath and try to remain calm.
   • Think carefully about your speech, and also make sure it sounds respectful.
3. 3 Make contact. Contact your roommate to start a conversation. This will let the person know that you want to talk to them.
   • Make eye contact.
   • Use that person's name.
   • Work to connect and be nice.
   • Speak in a calm, pleasant tone.
4. 4 Listen carefully to your roommate. Sometimes a relationship gets bad because you don't listen to the other person's point of view.
   • Make sure you focus on what the person is saying and not on how the words make you feel.
   • Don't interrupt. Let the person finish.
   • Nod and let us understand what you are hearing and listening to what you are being told.
5. 5 Check if you understood everything correctly. So you show the person that you are listening to him and really understand what they are trying to convey to you.
   • Listen with clarifications.
   • Say something like: "Let me understand what you are trying to say ..." or "Help me understand what you want from me ..."
   • Maintain a pleasant and calm tone.
6. 6 Be polite. You don't want the person to get the impression that they are bored with them.
   • Don't get personal, shout, or speak sarcastically, even if the other person does.
   • You can say, "Please stop yelling at me" or "If you are yelling at me, how will I know what to do to solve this problem ...".
   • Answer the person with a pleasant tone. Don't let him know that he pisses you off.
7. 7 Keep silent if necessary. Don't mess with an overly angry or aggressive person.
   • If your roommate begins to behave hostilely, be silent until he calms down.
   • If a person bursts into an angry tirade, eventually all of his steam will be released. And then you can think again if you want to continue the conversation or try again later, when he is calmer.
   • Whatever you do, do not yell or be hostile in return.
8. 8 Wait until you can engage in the conversation again. As soon as the person calms down, you can try to speak again.
   • Answer in a quiet, calm voice. Try not to sound patronizing or speak in a commanding tone.
   • You can continue the conversation with the following words: "As I said (a) ..." or "So, this is how I think we can solve this ...".
   • If the other person starts to feel angry or hostile again, shut up or end the conversation. You are acting as a messenger; you are not required to deal with an aggressive person.
9. 9 Confirm that you will learn from the conversation. If you both agreed to work on your conflict, then you don't want to discuss it again.
   • Be clear about what you intend to do to resolve the situation.
   • Make sure the other person is ready for new dialogue in the future.
   • Set a realistic time frame for the second conversation.
10. 10 End the conversation politely. Make it clear to the roommate that you no longer want to continue the conversation, especially if the person starts to get angry.
    • You might say, "Thanks for letting me know how to work on this. We'll discuss this later."
    • If the other person is angry or hostile, just say, "We are done with this ...". And go away.
    • Don't get angry in return. This will not solve your communication problems.
    • Continue to be calm and sweet even after the conversation ends.

Method 2 of 2: Establishing Rules for Living Space

1. 1 Talk to any potential roommates. Ideally, this should be done before you move out.
   • Knowing the person's lifestyle and habits will help you prepare for living together.
   • This will help you determine where a few basic rules need to be set in the cohabitation.
   • Make a copy of any agreement you make and sign it.
2. 2 Determine how the bills will be shared. Finance is a huge source of conflict between people living together. So it would be nice to plan out from the very beginning how the financial obligations will be distributed.
   • Read the contract to find out how your tenant prefers to receive payment. You may be required to have a monthly bill. In this case, make a schedule between yourself and the roommate, determining who will send the bill this month and when will need to give their share to the one who pays.
   • Determine who will pay for each utility bill. Many landlords ask tenants to pay for some utilities under their own name.
   • If you're paying for utilities, keep copies of your bills so you can show the roommate the full amount when it's time to give the money.
   • It is usually best to split all expenses in half, not counting food and personal expenses.
3. 3 Distribute the main chores around the house. Make a schedule and stick to it.
   • More often than not, it is a good idea to have an alternating schedule for taking out the trash, cleaning the bathroom, vacuuming, and more. So no one will have the same responsibility all the time.
   • When it comes to dishes, the best option is always when everyone cleans up the kitchen after themselves. You don't have to wait for your roommate to wash your dirty dishes and vice versa.
   • You shouldn't expect your roommate to do anything over and above his household chores.
4. 4 Establish rules for acceptable behavior. You and the person you live with should consider each other's conditions regarding noise, personal items, guests, smoking and more.
   • Discuss how often you agree to host overnight guests. Make sure the host knows their responsibilities regarding cleaning after guests.
   • Discuss acceptable noise levels. If you need a period of silence, please let your roommate know in advance.
   • Establish rules regarding the use of personal belongings and space. Make sure you use items that don't belong to you carefully. If you are borrowing something of your own, immediately explain what kind of care you expect.
   • Also consider common areas. For example, you don't need to occupy the entire living room with your own things.
   • If you smoke, suggest smoking outside. If your roommate smokes, politely ask him not to smoke in the house. In addition, most often tenants themselves establish a smoking ban.

Tips

• Always try to be calm and pleasant. Don't expect someone to be kind if you yourself are acting hateful.
• Establish terms and conditions regarding common sources of conflict before moving in.
• Try effective communication tips to ease the tension in conversation.
• Stay away from this person! (This worked for the author of the article).
• Don't be hostile and don't be too friendly. Do not talk to the person unnecessarily, and also be polite during the conversation. Try to be neutral.