Every OFW who share a room or a flat with fellow expats have a horror story to tell, from unexpected noise to the everyday morning rush for bathroom access, we know how hard it is to live with many tenants in one shared roof. The FIlipino Times lists down five common rants OFWs living in flats or shared living spaces are familiar with.
“Ano ‘yang niluluto mo?”
Let’s admit it, when we are in the Philippines, we love waking up to the smell of tuyo, danggit, dilis, bagoong, or whatever seafood that may be. There’s just something in the smell of these food that is so familiar and nostalgic.
But once you’re living in and sharing a small flat in another country with four or five other people, you’ll realize how irritating the stench is to your nose.
Sometimes, it is not only your Filipino flatmates who get annoyed with the smell of dried herring fish, anchovy paste, or sun-dried rabbitfish.There will be instances when foreigners who live in the same building or on the same floor will knock on your door asking you to get rid of the stench.
“Uy! Itabi mo naman ‘yung mga gamit mo”
When you live in a flat with other people, the only personal space you have is literally your bed. Due to the lack of space, you’ll realize how hard it is to live with balikbayan boxes, dirty laundry, bicycles, shoes, or random items placed on every corner of the small room.
Sometimes, you would resort to putting some of your things outside of the room and just place it on the hallway only to find out that it will only result to more arguments with other tenants.
“Sold out ba tickets ng concert mo sa banyo?”
Have you ever experienced a time when you badly need to go to the restroom? Or when you are already running late for work but your flatmates are taking too much time in the bathroom because they can’t stop channeling their inner Beyonce as they take their shower?
This is one of the most common reasons why flatmates get into a misunderstanding. Since there are many of you who share the same bathroom, even a single person who takes too much time in the shower can affect everyone else. So just remember to be considerate and value other people’s time as well.
“Pakisabihan naman yung mga bisita mo”
There is nothing wrong with inviting friends over tor a catch-up, but not when it is already bothering other people. It is better to be responsible for controlling your guests and tell them to be extra sensitive about disturbing other tenants.
“Give chance to others – pati sa paglalaba”
Some flatmates want to wash their clothes on a daily basis. When there is only one washing machine in the flat, you’ll realize how difficult it is to wash your own clothes if you find the sole washing machine being used by another tenant.
In other cases, there are some tenants who feel too lazy to remove their clothes from the clothesline which leaves the others with no space to hang their own clothes. Once your clothes are dried up, remember to retrieve and keep them in your drawers.
