Partner & I should have had the pre-conversation earlier.
A friend of ours would be a great fit as our roommate. He told us today that he signed a new, year-long lease. We didn’t know he was looking – he had mentioned his current sublet ends in October and he’s going on tour – and if we had known, we would have told him to move in with us when our apartment renovation finishes in around 4 months.
We had discussed the concept with him, but evidently not been sufficiently direct or explicit, because when the topic came up he expressed interest (and not just as polite dismissal, but actual interest). He had just never connected “These people want to live with roommates” with “I like spending time with them” and “I’m looking for a place to live” to arrive at “Therefore I should be their roommate.”
We have one other friend who is also a great fit. Now we know to have the pre-conversation. Not to commit to anything – just to ensure that we talk to each other before he signs a new lease or we fill the rooms.
Fortunately, the failed-friend is choosing his current place in part because it’s easy for him to sublet.
So, in 4 months, after he’s had a successful sublet, it’s time for us to chat again.
There are only three ways to lose a game:
- Exhaust all possible resources.
- Give up.
- The clock expires.
The clock has not expired. We have many more available resources. We refuse to give up.
Julian Wise 