(no subject)

[timepiececlock]

I think my roommate is having a passive-aggressive war with me over music.

She arrived, I was sitting at my computer listening to French songs trying to decide what I wanted to put on my new mix CD.

Just now, about 5 minutes later, she sits down at her comp and starts listening to Spanish music.

Now, she's no more Spanish than I am French-- we both have just studied the languages. But basing on this new behavior and the behavior of our music tastes and habits over the last week (when she's around, which isn't often), I'm getting a passive-aggressive thing here.

How does one resolve this?

Comments

[jaina.livejournal.com]

Hmm...I assume you were both playing music at the same time, yes? And knowing college, the room is not big enough for both. If this happens a lot, maybe lightheartedly offer to switch off playing stuff. If not, just let this one go and save your energy for a more serious PA incident. Plus hey, you might get to hear some good new music this way.

Oh, and I almost forgot: headphones are also good.

[nessie-cakes.livejournal.com]

Do what smart people do.

Screw French and Spanish music.

Listen to Russian.

By the way: FMA 50... I need it. Where'd you get it?

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

you can get the bittorrent off http://www.suprnova.org. I don't have bt anymore so psychodragon82 was kind enough to upload it for me.

[ipomoea.livejournal.com]

I suggest computer earphones for whenever your roomie is around.

ditto

[klytaimnestra.livejournal.com]

Earphones are the answer. Your roommate may not have what it takes to suggest this, but listening to Spanish music while you're listening to French music sounds like a comment/request to me. And you'll get all those extra points for being considerate :)

Re: ditto

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

how do you mean comment/request?

comment/request

[klytaimnestra.livejournal.com]

I mean, here's her quasi-subconscious reaction to your playing French music: possibly "well, if she's going to act all sophisticated I'm going to have to show her I can listen to non-English music too", in which case, not really an issue, and pay no attention - I mean, just harmless competition.

But possibly her quasi-subconscious reaction was, "oh, God, I wish I didn't have to listen to that crap when I'm trying to study/sleep/chill." And since it either hasn't surfaced consciously, or maybe she's afraid to cause a conflict by saying "could you turn that down/ listen to it on earphones, please?" she comments on your music by putting on some music of her own. The comment is "see, this is what it's like to have your personal space invaded by my weird music."

The request is, "could you please not invade my personal space with your music? Which is odd enough that I have to pay attention to it?"

The comment/request can be answered without a word being said by wearing earphones in future. And then, as I said, you get all those points for being a considerate roomie.

However, maybe she was just one-upping the "foreign content" of the music itself, in which case, ignore everything I just said. Though to avoid stereo wars you can still wear earphones.

Re: comment/request

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

possibly "well, if she's going to act all sophisticated I'm going to have to show her I can listen to non-English music too", in which case, not really an issue, and pay no attention - I mean, just harmless competition.

I'd say probably not that one. I had asked her last week if she liked foreign music and she said sometimes she listened to Spanish stuff because that's her second major.

I would say it's not me invading her personal space either, because I was listening to the music before she even came into the dorm today. Also, she frequently turns on music on her own anyway even if I'm not listening; I generally try not to listen to music if she is already.

However, maybe she was just one-upping the "foreign content" of the music itself, in which case, ignore everything I just said. Though to avoid stereo wars you can still wear earphones.

That's what it weirdly felt like to me. But I've been thinking about getting headphones anyway. Sadly that's limited by my financial situation and I don't have any at the moment.

Still, if it becomes the problem I'll just ask her about it I guess, find out what she thinks.

maybe your shouldn't jump to conclusions

[(Anonymous)]

maybe your rommate is spanish you freak? have you thought about that. your roomie has every right to listen to music when you are listening to it too, it isn't your room. Learn share and grow.