Let’s be frank, residing in an apartment with complete strangers isn’t something that comes naturally to most of us. Whilst it’s true that coliving carries a multitude of benefits, the feelings of uncertainty and apprehension will still creep up as you wonder about the people you’ll be sharing the space with.
Before you start your coliving journey, you should know of certain etiquette guidelines or particular rules in these shared living spaces in Singapore. To help you, we’ve compiled a list of things you should be mindful about to become a good neighbour everyone will appreciate.
1. Communication
Communication is key. It’s important to forge and establish good relationships with the people you’ll be spending time with, and you can do so by communicating. Communication will help you better understand your neighbours, and in coliving spaces, it’s better to address everything in the beginning. You can talk about each other’s personal boundaries and common habits that both of you are strongly against so as to not step on each other’s toes and prevent potential squabbles in the future.
As intimidating as it may sound, an easy start would be to take the first step and make an effort to introduce yourself. With a two-way communication channel, you’ll be able to build trust, and learn more about your new neighbour and who knows, this could lead to an amazing friendship!
2. Cleanliness
Everyone’s hygiene standards might be different, but needless to say, basic cleanliness is a must-have for all individuals. You may be comfortable in your own mess, but remember that the space doesn’t just belong to you. No one’s fond of a dirty and messy neighbour that doesn’t clean up, so it’s vital to be conscious of your own cleanliness.
Basic things like cleaning up the mess you’ve made or cleaning your dishes are a given. Talk to your neighbour and find out the things that irk both of you when it comes to one’s personal hygiene and cleanliness.
3. Respect
Respect works both ways, and it’s a crucial aspect of shared living. Undoubtedly, you and your neighbours do not share the same views and perceptions, but this doesn’t equate to allowing you to treat them any different than how you’d like to be treated.
Your fellow coliving neighbours may come from diverse backgrounds and cultures, but it’s only respectful of you to treat them as equals. Always remember that the communal spaces and items you use have to be maintained properly as others use them too. If you show your coliving mates a little respect, they’ll also show you the respect you deserve.
4. Do something nice
Going out of your way to make your coliving neighbour happy is an excellent way to build trust and get them to like you. It doesn’t require a lot of effort and time to do something nice, and doing this will show your neighbour how nice and generous you are. The gesture can be as simple as making a cup of morning coffee, cooking their share, or washing their dishes. These are acts that can make someone’s day and go a long way.
With these 4 tips, you’ll definitely be the neighbour everyone wishes they had. If you’re looking for the perfect affordable yet fun-loving accommodation, look no further as Coliwoo has just what you need!
As one of the most established coliving apartment providers in Singapore, our passionate and committed team is ready to serve you, tailoring whatever you need to meet your needs! Get in touch with us and find out more about our coliving spaces today.
