Ask These 30 Questions to Turn Your Roommate into Your True Mate

It’s not business, it’s personal.

From casual to cosy

Living with other people, especially if they’re starting out as complete strangers, has its challenges. Sharing a living space with someone foreign is a trial of personal boundaries and will take work - even if you’re easygoing and get along with everyone.

If you are part of a communal living community or are sharing a unit with a friend or stranger, navigating the complexities of maintaining a positive relationship with that person is inevitable. Worst case scenario, you clash and home becomes the antithesis of the shelter it’s supposed to be. Best case? BFFs for life (tautological because forever = for life, but you know what we mean).

We compiled 30 questions - ranging from simple surface to deep and personal - to trade with your roomies to help you folks break the ice. Ask these questions to suss out your flatmate’s viewpoints and values. Learn more about your flatmate to see if you have complementing or conflicting views. So clear your schedules, grab a beverage and a seat, and dive right in!

#1: “What are you looking for in a flatmate?”

#2: “If you could only listen to music from three artists for the rest of your life, who would they be?”

#3: “What do you like to do in your free time?”

#4: "Do you prefer to cook or clean?"

#5: “What are your greatest fears?”

#6: “What do you consider to be most important in a friendship?”

#7: “What is your favourite memory from childhood?”

#8: “What is the coolest thing to do in our city?”

#9: “What is an unfulfilled wish of yours and why?”

#10: “What would you do on a dream vacation?”

#11: “What was the most embarrassing thing that happened to you and why?”

#12: “What would you like to be remembered for at the end of your life?”

#13: “What are some deal breakers in friendships and relationships?”

#14: “What was the most memorable present you have ever received?”

#15: “What are you most thankful for in your life so far?”

#16: “How would you see yourself in a few years’ time?”  

#17: “What keeps you motivated in what you do (for a living)?”

#18: “How would you handle this problem if you were me?”

#19: “Would you rather live with regrets, or live without ambition?”

#20: “Name me a famous person whom you would like to have as a dinner guest. Why?”

#21: “What are your must-haves in a partner?”

#22: “Did you see the blue dress or gold dress?”

#23: “Cat or dog person? Or neither?”

#24: “If money was not an issue, what would you do for a living?”

#25: “What is your favourite film and why?”

#26: “What is your greatest pet peeve and why?”

#27: “What would make you sad and why?”

#28: “Tell me about someone who inspires you and why?”

#29: “If you could choose, what would your last meal be and why?”

#30: “If you could solve one major issue in your lifetime, what would it be?”

Your Hmlet Flatmate Could Be Your Lifelong BFF!

Worldwide, flatmates are part and parcel of communal living. The camaraderie of coliving at Hmlet means that you might very well meet your BFF in your current or future house mate!

Be as friendly and welcoming as possible to your house mate while learning more about him or her by these questions above. The key is to keep your questions as open-ended as possible to elicit more details about your flatmate’s preferences, personality and idiosyncrasies. Look out for non-verbal cues such as body language (eye contact, folded arms, etc.) when he or she answers. Moreover, pay attention not just to what your flatmate says, but how he or she replies. Your flatmate might reveal a bombshell or something quirky about themselves that might spark off a fascinating conversation!

A little effort goes a long way. By investing time and energy into befriending and listening to your house mate, you stand to make a lifelong friend.