Television
In the average American household, the television is on for more than four hours a day. Many households have a television in every room in the house. Some don't have a television at all. What are your habits concerning television? What are your preferences for what you watch and when? What can you live with in terms of having television on in the kitchen, living room, and other common areas? What "must you have" concerning television and what would you "like to have" in your living space?
Sources: Sharing Housing: A Guidebook for Finding and Keeping Good Housemates
Contributors: Annamarie Pluhar
Recommended Books: Sharing Housing: A Guidebook for Finding and Keeping Good Housemates
Alcohol Consumption & Drug Use
Think about your tolerance for drinking and drugs. If you are a non-drinker, moving into a home of heavy drinkers is not going to be a happy arrangement. If you like to use recreational drugs, you shouldn't move into a home that says "no drugs."
Sources: Sharing Housing: A Guidebook for Finding and Keeping Good Housemates
Contributors: Annamarie Pluhar
Recommended Books: Sharing Housing: A Guidebook for Finding and Keeping Good Housemates
Fishbowl
The fishbowl is a special form of small group discussion. Several members representing differing points of view meet in an inner circle to discuss the issue while everyone else forms an outer circle and listens. At the end of a predetermined time, the whole group reconvenes and evaluates the fishbowl discussion. An interesting variation: first, put all the men in the fishbowl, then all the women, and they discuss the same topics.
Read moreCommitment to the Group
In joining a group, one accepts a personal responsibility to behave with respect, goodwill, and honesty. Each one is expected to recognize that the group's needs have a certain priority over the desires of the individual. Many people participate in group work in a very egocentric way. It is important to accept the shared responsibility for helping to find solutions to other's concerns.
Being Able to Have Daily Exchanges
People who live with others may not notice the little bits of connectedness that give a lift to one's day. Simply having an exchange, talking about the day, relating with another person is an essential part of being human.
It's nice to have someone to say:
"Hello"
"Good Morning"
Good Night"
How was your day?"
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