DEAR MISS MANNERS: College dorms can be difficult terrain to handle, and I have had a hard time dealing with a very passive roommate.
I live in a suite, so there's a living room and a bedroom. My roommate plays guitar openly in the living space all the time, but gets annoyed when I sing or hum at all, which feels unfair.
My real problem is I have a friend who comes over around twice a week. We just hang out -- usually we don't make a lot of noise or mess. The desks are in the bedroom, but my roommate will often study in the living space instead. My friend and I will ask her if it is OK to watch something on the TV, and she always says yes, but then gets pretty annoyed when we do. Even if we don't watch TV and we're just hanging out in the room, she'll be annoyed by our presence.
She never verbally opposes his coming over. Does it make me a bad roommate to have my friend over and want to be doing stuff while she's around?
GENTLE READER: Is it too obvious an answer to ask her that question? Everyone here is being outwardly polite, so from that angle, Miss Manners has little to add.
However, you are sensing annoyance, real or perceived, so better to have this all discussed so that it does not escalate.
Your roommate knows that it is reasonable to have guests. But it is also fair for her to want to use her entire dorm suite, rather than feel that she has to hide in the bedroom when your friend is over.
As it seems to be a regular occurrence, perhaps you can make a schedule -- and abide by it. Or ask her to be included when it comes to the choice of television program or topic of conversation. Talking about this openly and reasonably should smooth over any ruffled feelings -- and prove to be as much a part of your college education as any actual classes in the art of negotiation.