DR. Romance Blog

Avoid Roommate Blues

Back to school? Here's Dr. Romance's Do's and Dont's for getting along with roomies:
DO be warm and welcoming, your roomie is s as nervous as you are.
DON'T be intrusive. Your privacy levels might be different. Don't just barge in.
DO be helpful, share notes, etc.
DON'T insist everything be your way.
DO learn about each other’s tastes, likes and dislikes.
DON'T criticize each other's likes, clothes or decor
DO complement his or her choices.
DON'T complain, instead ask him or her to explain the things you don't understand.
DO invite your roommate to get together with you and your friends
DON'T gossip with other students about your roommate.
DO allow some time to get to know each other, and work together to decorate, divide space, have friends in, play music, quiet for study, etc.
DON'T panic if you don't get on famously right away.
DO try to understand each other, but don't assume you understand -- ask instead.
DON'T expect it to be like dealing with your siblings or best friend.

Have a great school year, let me know if this works for you.

hot, hot, hot!

OK, I know the rest of the country hates to hear Californians whine about how hot it is, when we have it so easy most of the time; but yesterday was a record high (103!) in Long Beach, and there's no air conditioning in our house (except for my counseling office) so I'm taking the liberty to whine that it's hot. 

What I really want to talk about is former Senator Craig of Idaho, who was busted for soliciting in a Minneapolis airport bathroom.  It's not his behavior or the arrest, both of which are questionable, that concern Dr. Romance, but the apparent difference between his walk and his talk. 

Sitting in the hot tub at the gym the other day, I joined a conversation about what constitutes good behavior.  As far as Dr. Romance is concerned, there is only one rule to follow.  "What goes around, comes around."  This is actually a popular restatement of the law of Karma, or another form of the Golden Rule. 

No matter what your belief system, acting on the idea that you'll get back what you put out (computerese says: garbage in, garbage out) is a life strategy that works. LIfe is a great teacher.  I know that no good or bad deed is without consequence.  When I keep that in mind, I get better results than when I act unconsciously.  I wish you a good Karma day....

What life lessons have you learned?