You’re in your best attire, you look around with the wine glass in your hand and that’s when your eyes meet. No, this is not a scene from a romcom. It’s a scene at a party, where one guy looks for a potential roommate to share his flat with. It’s a concept called speed roommating. The trend is unique and has been around for a while in New York and London, where real estate prices often choke a new entrant’s salary accounts. The situation is not very different than that of Mumbai. This is when speed roommating comes to the rescue. Recently, there was news of an avant-garde online service in London that organises free biweekly events to help connect those looking for roommates. A speed roommating party is one where people get an opportunity to hang out and find potential roommates who fit in your terms of housing. “It sounds like a very practical thing to do, especially in Mumbai. It’s so difficult to find a flat mate if the one you’ve been sharing a flat with, has to suddenly leave for work or marriage. It took me a couple of months to find another roommate!” says financial analyst Dipa Ghose. However, one has to keep certain things in mind when meeting a potential roommate at these parties. “What are the job timings? A call-center guy and a doctor will have very different timings. Talk about handling chores. Also, try and find out his/her relationship status, since you need to set guidelines for him/her to get the boyfriend/ girlfriend home,” says behavioural expert Dr Hemant Mittal.
For both apartment holders and room seekers alike, it’s all about finding mutual interests and making the right first impression at these parties. Savio Mascarenhas, a corporate professional, had a hard time finding a roommate after he’d rented a flat. “In a city where people don’t get time, and the only time they get, they want to party, this seems like the perfect solution. You party, socialise, and get the job done too,” he says.
Hemant adds a few more pointers when socialising at these parties: “Clarity about the flat— if it’s a 1 BHK, who gets to keep the bedroom. Also, if one is looking for a friend in the roommate or someone just to share the flat rent. Security is another important factor. And lastly, loo habits — if there’s only one bathroom in the house, it could be a major clash point.”
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