Sharing a hotel room abroad seems simple until you realise your roomie has their own ideas about what sharing actually means.
Suddenly, everything becomes drama. One person hogs the luggage rack like they’re opening a boutique, while the other turns the bathroom into a waterpark.
At night, there’s a tug-of-war over the air-conditioning remote, and by morning, you’re left wondering whether this trip was really about saving money or testing your patience.
Roommate drama doesn’t spare anyone. Whether you’re retirees on a jalan-jalan (holiday) trip, honeymooners with high hopes, or single friends who thought they could tahan (tolerate) each other for a few nights, the experience can go from dreamy to drama very fast.
It’s like Survivor: Hotel Edition. But instead of tribal councils, there are soggy towels and the silent treatment.
One type of roomie always acts like the boss. Maybe they’re used to giving orders at work and bring those CEO vibes straight into the hotel room.
This roomie decides what time you sleep, sets the air-conditioning like it’s their personal fridge, and watches TV so loudly you’d think it’s a karaoke competition.
You want some peace, but instead, you’re getting the evening news at volume 99. No point fighting – just keep smiling and maybe invest in earplugs.
Then there’s the bathroom conqueror. They walk in with a towel and come out as if they’ve done spring cleaning – but only for themselves.
The floor is soaked, the mirror fogged up, and the towel lies on the ground like it owes them money. The bidet is used like a fire hose.
When you say something nicely, they reply, “Aiya, small matter lah, don’t stress so much.”
You tiptoe in and clean up quietly. Next time, you make sure you’re the first to mandi (shower), but you still leave it clean for the next person. Because you have manners, mah.
Now, snoring. Wah, the soundtrack some people produce! Got rhythm, got melody, got suspense.
When you gently mention it in the morning, they turn around and say, “You also snore, what! Even louder than me!”
At this point, you’re not sure whether to argue or start a snoring duet.
Then comes the breakfast drama. One person takes forever to get ready, checking outfits and brushing their hair like they’re going on a date with a celebrity chef.
You just want your nasi lemak before 10am. Can’t tahan (stand)? Best to say, “See you at the coffee house lah,” and head off on your own.
Just when you’re ready to go solo and sleep hugging your luggage for company, your roomie surprises you.
They buy extra snacks and say, “Take lah, I got for you also.” They get you a souvenir and insist, “Gift for you, no need to pay.”
They share their tau sah, muruku, or whatever food they brought from home – just when your stomach starts talking louder than your thoughts. No fuss, just kind gestures.
You don’t notice these things straight away. But slowly, you realise they waited for you before dinner, tidied the bathroom without making noise, and gave you the better pillow because your neck “like got problem.”
They even helped carry your luggage without being asked. Forgot to pay your share of the taxi? Never mind – they covered it, no lecture.
By the end of the trip, all the awkward silences and sighs turn into laughter. You both look back and realise that between wet floors and midnight TV shows, you’ve built a bond stronger than the hotel WiFi.
There are two sides to every hotel pillow, after all. One side snores, the other sacrifices. One forgets the wet floor, the other silently mops it up. One takes, the other gives – no receipt, no drama.
So yeah, roomie lah, not enemy lah. All you need is a bit of humour, some patience, and maybe an extra pair of socks… in case they “accidentally” borrow yours.
Note: This article would not have been possible without the help and stories shared by veteran traveller Bee Wan of SeniorsAloud.
The views expressed here are the personal opinion of the writer and do not necessarily represent that of Twentytwo13.
