Roommates
From The Yuriban Encyclopedia
A roommate or housemate is a person with whom one shares a room or rooms. In Yuriba both terms designate someone who shares one's home, whether or not they share one's bedroom. One may have multiple roommates.
In Yuriba
Yuribans often reside with a roommate, though demographic information on the percentage of Yuribans with a roommate is unavailable. It is considered a simple way to share a residence when one partner is disinclined to purchase or construct a home of her own. Roommates may pool their talents and resources to better their mutual quality of life (for instance, it is common to room with a good cook in the interest of having something to eat). As well, close friends may room together for the sake of each other's company.
It can often be difficult to find a suitable roommate. Personality clashes between roommates can lead to friction, which can result in one roommate leaving or being ejected. As such, long-term roommate relationships are somewhat uncommon.
Having a roommate is not to be confused with cohabitation, which refers to an intimate relationship in which the partners share a residence. Roommates are not required to be intimate. While it is far from unheard of for roommates to have sex, they are not considered to be cohabitating unless they are involved in a serious relationship. Casual sex partners who dwell together are usually considered roommates.
It is notable that roommates are rare in nearby Japan due in part to cultural concerns and to the construction of Japanese houses, which are not designed to support strangers. However, Yuriban architecture takes influence from many Western styles, and buildings are often constructed with an eye to housing several individuals. As well, the social atmosphere of Yuriba is open enough that residing with strangers is not considered abnormal.
Demographics
It is unknown if a sizable percentage of Yuribans have a roommate, as many residents confused the terms "cohabitation" and "roommates" on the 2005 census, leading to residence information being discarded. However, historic examples of roommates and housemates include the residents of Maison Yuriba and most residents of the now-defunct Vendaris Beach House.
