What tips do you need to make friends in a share house where you'll be living with people you've never met before? In this article, we'll tell you the key points for making friends in a share house, as well as things to be careful of. Use this article as a reference and make friends in a share house that you can keep for life!
The benefits of making friends in a share house
When you start living in a share house, you will naturally start greeting other residents in the building. It is up to you whether you want to make friends who are simply acquaintances or take it a step further. Here, we will tell you the benefits of making friends in a share house.
The appeal of a share house environment where you can make friends
A share house is an environment where it is easy to make friends because there are shared spaces such as a living room and kitchen where you have the opportunity to meet other residents.
At first, you may only exchange greetings, but as you spend a long time together, conversations will gradually increase, and before you know it, you'll be eating meals together, laughing together, and developing into a friendship. Even if you're shy and don't like meeting people for the first time, you'll be able to open up to them as you see each other every day.
Being in a home with friends means you don't feel lonely, unlike living alone. When you come home from school or work, you can have someone listen to your complaints and laugh with you about funny things, which is one of the attractions of a share house.
The benefits of making friends in a share house
There are three benefits to making friends in a share house.
- Learn new values and lifestyles
- Can help with daily life
- Increased enjoyment and peace of mind in daily life
Share houses are home to a wide variety of people of all ages and nationalities, from students to company employees and freelancers. There you can have the opportunity to see cultures, values and lifestyles you have never been exposed to before, which may open up a new world for you.
Also, you can help each other with areas you are good at or bad at, such as not knowing how to cook, not being good at using a computer, etc. Not only that, but unlike living alone, when you are feeling unwell, you can get encouraging support such as someone buying the things you need for you or asking how you are doing.
The sense of security of having friends nearby and being able to talk to them immediately makes your daily life that much more enjoyable.
How to make friends in a share house
It's hard to make friends in a share house just by waiting around. Here are some tips to help you make friends.
Make an effort to use everyday greetings and small conversations
To become friends, it's important to start with an opportunity. So, make sure to greet people every day, let them remember your face, and make a good impression. And in addition to greetings, adding a little conversation will help you become closer.
Also, when someone talks to you, don't just glance at them, but try to keep the conversation going. By showing interest in the other person and expanding the conversation, you can find common topics. Once you find a common topic, it won't take long for you to become friends with each other.
Hosting joint events and meals
Many share houses that have events hold welcome and farewell parties. When you first move in, this is a chance to get to know the other residents. Even if you are shy and can't talk well, it's no problem. Just join in with a smile.
Other than that, we cook together with other residents and sometimes have drinking parties. We also hold seasonal events such as cherry blossom viewing parties and Christmas parties, as well as birthday parties. Participation is not required, but events are an effective way to deepen bonds with other residents. We encourage active participation.
Rules and Manners in Shared Spaces
Generally, people who act selfishly tend to be shunned. This is also true in a share house. In the common spaces that everyone uses, please follow the rules and manners so that everyone can spend their time comfortably.
For example, in the kitchen, don't leave utensils or dishes in the sink, and don't leave personal belongings in the living room.
By following rules and manners, we can build mutual trust. The first step in making friends is to not act selfishly and to be considerate of others.
Things to be careful about when making friends
Unlike friends you might have at school or work, if you let your guard down, you could end up sharing your very private living space with friends in a share house. Therefore, there are a few things you need to be careful about.
Respect for privacy
When you live together in the same building every day, some people may go beyond their friendship and become too involved in others' affairs. Be careful not to pry into things that the other person doesn't want to talk about.
There are also cases where people store personal belongings in the common spaces. Even if the rules of the share house state that you are not allowed to leave personal belongings in the common spaces, do not use them without permission and let the other person know that you are borrowing them.
Appropriate distance and communication
Even with close friends, each person has different values and personalities. In order to maintain a good relationship, try not to get too close by always being together, but to maintain a reasonable distance by taking time alone.
Also, if there is something that you don't like or would like fixed, it's a good idea to talk honestly with each other or consult with other residents before it escalates into trouble.
Preventing financial troubles
Even if you are on good terms, lending and borrowing money between friends can easily lead to trouble. Generally speaking, it is best to avoid lending and borrowing money.
Buying ingredients, seasonings, daily necessities, etc. together can be cost-effective. However, you need to decide in advance the rules for splitting the bill, and review the rules regularly so that the burden is not concentrated on one person.
By keeping these points in mind, you'll be able to avoid any trouble with your friends and enjoy life in a shared house.
summary
There are three benefits to making friends in a share house:
- Learn new values and lifestyles
- Can help with daily life
- Increased enjoyment and peace of mind in daily life
In order to achieve this kind of lifestyle, it's important to actively interact with others. However, even friends have different personalities and values. Respect each other's privacy and maintain an appropriate distance from each other. Be careful to avoid financial troubles, and enjoy a fun share house life with your friends!