In the city with the highest number of roommates per square foot (that’s got to be a real data point, right?), New Yorkers know all too well what traits they loathe and what they can live with when it comes to co-habitation. We asked five New Yorkers: Would you rather have a noisy-but-neat-and-clean roommate? Or a quiet-as-a-mouse slob?
- Defensive much?I’d prefer a noisy person who is neat than a quiet person who is a slob. I can tell a loud person to be quiet or at least less loud. But I feel you can’t really make a messy or dirty person less so. That’s just how they are. And also, loud people tend to be quiet and be apologetic when you ask them to be quiet. Messy people tend to just get really defensive! —Nathan, Washington Heights
- Party, and let partyI wouldn’t mind a loud and messy person but a loud and clean one is even better. But definitely they have to like loud music and loud conversation. They gotta know how to have some fun and—above else—be able to let other people have fun! You know there are people who can’t stand when other people are laughing loudly. C’mon man, live and let live. I don’t care when you’re loud, as long you don’t care about me being loud. And I can deal with dirty dishes in the sink, but keep the bathroom clean. —Tom, Astoria
- While you were sleepingAt this time in my life, I’d prefer a loud-but-neat-and-clean person. I’m rarely home anyway! I come home late at night and I’m out. I’ll sleep through anything.—Olu, East New York, Brooklyn
- When relationships don’t get messyI used to patch things up with my ex-girlfriend by cleaning the apartment. We’d fight about how messy it was. Total drag. I don’t want to live with neat freaks anymore. And I don’t like a lot of noise, so a quiet-but-messy person would be perfect. —Darren, Harlem
- Divine interventionI would not want to live with a slob. Ew, no. I’d take the loud roomie. That’s why God invented earplugs. —Janice, Morningside Heights
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Verdict: Cleanliness is next to godliness for New Yorkers.
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