WHEN CULTURES CLASH: HOW TO NAVIGATE ROOMMATE DIFFERENCES RESPECTFULLY
/A survival guide for Erasmus students who want peace, not passive-aggression, in their Athens flat
Different cultures. One kitchen. Here’s how to keep the peace when roommate habits collide
You don’t need to be best friends...
But you do need to make it work.
Because nothing ruins your Erasmus faster than side-eyes in the kitchen, food fights in the fridge, or a cold war over cleaning duties.
And the truth?
When you toss an Italian, a Spaniard, a Frenchie, and a German into the same apartment…
Things will get weird.
But they don’t have to get ugly.
Let’s break down how to live under one roof with people who see the world (and washing up) a little differently than you do.
1. Drop the “common sense” illusion
What feels obvious to you might feel completely alien to someone else. You might think:
“Of course you don’t blast music at 1AM.” “Of course you wash dishes right after eating.” “Of course you knock before entering someone’s room.”
But your roommate might’ve grown up in a loud, social household where none of that was the norm.
Example: Let’s say you’re French and you cherish quiet lunches. Your Italian flatmate cooks, sings, and FaceTimes her mom from the stovetop- while you’re trying to eat in peace.
You don’t need to “correct” her. You just need to understand where she’s coming from.
Action tip: Start with this question:
“How were things in your home growing up?”
It opens the door to understanding why people do what they do. And it reminds you that not everyone plays by your rulebook.
2. Agree early. Argue less.
Most people wait until a problem happens to talk about boundaries.
Wrong move.
Set expectations before things go sideways.
Example: Before anyone cooks, sleeps, studies, or parties... grab 30 minutes with your housemates and create a House Rules Cheat Sheet.
Keep it light, but clear.
Try questions like:
What time do we want quiet hours to start?
Are there shared pantry items or is everything personal?
Who cleans what, and when?
Write it down. Snap a photo. Post it on the fridge.
Bonus Tip: Revisit it after 2 weeks. What worked? What didn’t? Adjust like adults.
3. Learn the difference between “weird” and “disrespectful”
Not all annoyances are acts of war. Sometimes, it’s just cultural static.
Example: Your Turkish roommate always offers you food when they cook. Your German roommate always labels their food and wants clear boundaries.
Neither is right or wrong. But tension builds when people assume the worst instead of asking.
Action tip: When something bugs you, don’t say, “Why would you do that?” Say:
“Hey, I noticed you [insert behavior]. I’m just trying to understand - where does that come from?"
Understanding kills resentment. Fast.
4. Pick your battles like a local picks olives: slowly and carefully
Living with roommates means you’re going to get annoyed...
That’s normal.
But not every irritation deserves confrontation.
Example: Your roommate leaves three pairs of shoes by the door. You hate clutter. Is this the hill you want to die on?
Instead, use the 2-day rule: If it still bothers you after 48 hours, then bring it up. Otherwise? Let it go.
Your peace of mind is worth more than shoe politics.
5. Have “the talk” before resentment brews
The longer you hold something in, the worse it gets. Avoiding conflict doesn’t make it go away—it just makes it blow up later.
Example: You’ve noticed your roommate never takes out the trash. You sigh, roll your eyes, do it yourself… for 3 weeks straight. Then one night, you snap:
“Do you EVER clean anything??”
Now it’s personal. And toxic.
Do this instead: Catch it early. Say:
“Hey, I’ve noticed I’ve been doing the trash a lot lately. Can we rotate that better?”
It’s not drama. It’s grown-up life skills.
6. Celebrate the weird stuff
Living with other cultures isn’t just a challenge. It’s a gift. You’ll try new foods. Hear new music. Learn curse words in 5 languages.
Example: Maybe your roommate does laundry on a schedule that makes no sense to you. Or meditates with incense at 6am. Or eats things that look like alien soup.
Good.
That’s the point of Erasmus.
Let the differences delight you, not divide you.
7. Create a shared ritual
The best Erasmus memories?
They’re not solo.
They’re made around kitchen tables. On balconies. In messy, mismatched homes that felt like something real.
Action Tip: Start a weekly ritual.
Movie night
Shared Sunday dinner
International cook-offs
Balcony wine + rant sessions about Greek bureaucracy
It doesn’t have to be deep. It just has to be yours.
Shared rituals = shared stories = shared peace.
8. Use the group chat wisely
Every house needs a group chat. But not every message belongs there.
DO use it to:
Confirm cleaning days
Ask for quick favors or updates
Share jokes, memes, event invites
DON’T use it to:
Start fights
Be passive-aggressive
Shame someone in front of others
If it’s serious?
Talk face-to-face or one-on-one. Digital drama escalates fast.
9. Don’t forget: everyone’s scared of being “the bad roommate”
Yes, even the one who seems careless.
Your loud, lazy, or “clueless” housemate probably thinks you are judging them.
Action tip: Give feedback the way you’d want to hear it.
Say:
“Hey, I know it can be hard to stay on top of everything, especially with classes and life stuff... but could we figure out the dishes together?”
That keeps the blame off and the tone kind.
10. Remember what you came here for
You didn’t fly across Europe to stress about socks in the hallway.
You came here for adventure. For connection. For memories.
Don’t let a few annoying habits or cultural quirks rob you of that.
Get curious. Get over yourself. And get talking—early, clearly, and respectfully.
Because nothing’s more powerful than a house where people feel seen, safe, and understood.
Did this hit home?
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