Furious Redditor Asks For Advice On How To Avoid Chatty Roommate's Stalking Whenever He Leaves The Room

"Every single time I leave my room he hears me and comes out to talk to me."

Filip

• Published in Interesting
• September 14, 2023

Every individual dreams about growing up, precisely about the moments of finishing education, getting a job, and starting to live on their own. But when you start sharing your living space with other people, you realize it's not as perfect as you thought it would be.

Every person has their own manners, social norms, and habits, which can vary from others'. A Reddit user recently shared how those different standards affected his life and asked for advice.

The OP said that he's facing a challenging situation. He lives in a basement apartment with a friend he's known since the first year.

Although he likes his friend, there's a frequent issue. Every time the OP exits his room, his friend inevitably emerges to strike up a conversation, regardless of the shortness of the OP's intended task.

The OP feels trapped, so he starts quietly sneaking around his own home to avoid his roommate. This has even driven him to order food frequently, bypassing the kitchen to avoid prolonged conversations during meal prep.

The OP is unsure how to approach this issue as he believes it's unfair to dictate his friend's movements in a shared space. But even though he values his friend's company, the OP feels overwhelmed.

They even hang out constantly, with regular gaming sessions, but the continuous interactions are excessive for the OP. Upon returning home from work, OP has a real dread of potentially talking to his friend.

There have been instances where his friend has waited for the OP's entrance just to strike up a conversation. But the OP can't stand it anymore and asks for advice on how to solve the problem.

Here is the OP's issue:

The OP explained his roommate stalks him every time he leaves the room to start a conversation:

It has been going on for two years now, and the OP is feeling overwhelmed:

The OP doesn't know how to approach this issue:

He tried to answer him briefly, but his roommate didn't get it:

The OP can't take it anymore:

A Redditor believes his friend is lonely and offers him a few options

Another Redditor agreed and explained their point of view

A Redditor offered him a more cruel option

A Redditor told the OP to talk with his roommate and explain his feelings

The over-ear headphones could help him

Many Redditors agreed that using headphones is a solid option

Living independently is often an ideal many young people aspire to achieve. The freedom it promises is enticing, but the reality, especially when shared with others, is often far from that dream.

Different backgrounds, upbringings, and personal habits can contradict in shared spaces. This Reddit user's experience is an example of such struggles.

While the friendship the OP shares with his roommate is evident in their frequent hangouts, the roommate's inability to recognize the need for personal space is exhausting for the OP. So, Redditors gave him a few suggestions on how to handle the issue without hurting his roommate's feelings.

Filip