Myth: A couple living together needs no rules because their
love is stronger than any disagreement.
Fact: All roommates need rules. Oh, and let me tell you,
love is not stronger than the smell
of mold coming from the crumpled, wet towel on the floor The Boyfriend can
never seem to remember to hang up.
If your other Significant Others have fallen prey to the
myth above, it is your moral responsibility to guide them to the light. Even if
you’re not concerned about the well-being of their relationship—since not
abiding by the rule to make rules will inevitably lead to destruction—you
need to at least lay down the law of the land (your apartment) for your own
sake.
As is true with any group of people, it’s important to not
“gang up" on any one person. Yes, maybe The Boyfriend thinks he's starting
a one-man band with his loud electric guitar, or decides the best time to do
dishes is 7 a.m. when you're still sleeping, or walks around as if the floor is
on fire and only by him stomping across the room will it be put out (and causes
the neighbors underneath to ask where you got the dinosaur)... But I'm sure you
have your faults, too. Although, really, what could be worse than a
dish-clanging dinosaur with an amp? Anyway, the point is this: Don't let your
nerves get the best of you and chime in too enthusiastically if The Girlfriend
begins telling him to shut it. Take turns.
And rules should be spelled out so everyone is on the same
page; don't think the "others" will pick up on your subtle clues. For
example, decide together who gets dibs on leftovers, because apparently it's
not apparent that the little to-go container you put together is for your lunch the next day.
