<p>Our college just gave out our roommate assignments, and my roommate contacted me... he's bringing a fridge/microwave, and I'm bringing a tv. But I don't want to watch or pay for cable, and I've told him that if he wants cable, he'll have to pay for my half, too. He wants cable, and I asked if he would shoulder all of the costs... 4 days ago. He still hasn't replied, and I know he's been online. What do I do now, ask him again, or drop it for a while?</p>
<p>I would have to say it would feel a bit weird for him to pay for the cab;e bill when he is using your television set. I might consider chipping a bit...say 1/4 of the cost for occasional watching as it seems he prefers it more than you do. I might wait a little longer, as a subscription will still run quite a bit more when one person is paying for it versus two people.</p>
<p>I agree that you should pay, perhaps, 1/4 of the bill. It's possible that you won't get good reception without cable. It's also possible that you may end up having some friends who watch cable on your TV. I also doubt that if your rommate is watching an interesting cable show you'd avert your eyes to avoid watching it.</p>
<p>I think you should suck it up and pay half. Unless you leave the room when he turns on the TV, you're still going to be getting the cable. </p>
<p>Also, are you sure your college makes you pay? Most schools have free cable.</p>
<p>^yeah i agree. you are at some point going to watch those channels he's watching. it can't cost that much, jsut pay for half...</p>
<p>Dude, don't have a TV in your room. You'll end up just getting stuck there. If you really want TV, go out into the common room, where you can at least talk to other people besides your roomate.</p>
<p>If you can't say with certainty that your eyes will never glance once at that t.v while a program is on then you should pay at the very LEAST 1/4, I recommend paying 1/2. </p>
<p>You know you will watch at least one program, and you are creating a situation that is already going to stir bad blood between you two.</p>
<p>why would you even want to bring a tv in the first place. a lot of people do fine without watching tv's, and besides they're hindrance to your studies. I never had cable in my life and regular broadcast tv was enough for me.</p>
<p>^^Your name on here is pretty amusing, given your post.</p>
<p>Pay half. You don't want to start off on the wrong foot with the guy, and you also don't want to hear stuff about you watching "his cable" or anything.</p>
<p>
[quote]
why would you even want to bring a tv in the first place. a lot of people do fine without watching tv's
[/quote]
Hahahahaha.</p>
<p>Why are you bringing the TV when you don't want to watch it. Say you're willing to go half/half on the fridge but that you dont want a TV so he should bring his own.</p>
<p>"Hahahahaha."</p>
<p>To his credit, I didn't have a TV freshman year and it wasn't an issue for me at all.</p>
<p>yes, thank you firewalker. If you guys didn't know, hundreds of millions of people in this world do not have tv's and they actually have a good life. AMAZING ISN'T IT? It's like UNHEARD OF!!</p>
<p>yes, thank you firewalker. If you guys didn't know, hundreds of millions of people in this world do not have tv's and they actually have a good life. AMAZING ISN'T IT? It's like UNHEARD OF!!</p>
<p>I think the point though, is that if you don't enjoy watching TV and don't want to pay for cable, why bring the TV in the first place? Why not agree to pay for half of the cost of renting a fridge or bring a rug, and just explain that you didn't really want to pay for cable? It seems a little odd to offer to bring a TV (which you don't watch cable on at home?) but insist that your roommate pay for the cable bill by him/herself. I agree with many of the above posters - just pay for half. It's not worth fighting over it.</p>
<p>You'll watch it at some point. Better to build a good foundation for a relationship with your roommate than create bad blood this early in the year. Suck it up and pay 1/2.</p>
<p>"I think the point though, is that if you don't enjoy watching TV and don't want to pay for cable, why bring the TV in the first place? Why not agree to pay for half of the cost of renting a fridge or bring a rug, and just explain that you didn't really want to pay for cable? It seems a little odd to offer to bring a TV (which you don't watch cable on at home?) but insist that your roommate pay for the cable bill by him/herself. I agree with many of the above posters - just pay for half. It's not worth fighting over it."</p>
<p>I'm assuming the OP felt some sort of obligation to chip in after learning that his roommate would bring a fridge/microwave and probably thinks his roommate recently paid for them as well.</p>
<p>I'm assuming the OP felt some sort of obligation to chip in after learning that his roommate would bring a fridge/microwave and probably thinks his roommate recently paid for them as well.</p>
<p>Yes, but that obligation could have been repaid in other ways if he had no intention of watching cable/TV. Bringing a rug, chipping in to offset the cost of the fridge, etc. By agreeing to bring the TV than stating that his roommate should foot the bill for the cable seems a little silly. I still think you should pick and chose your battles, and that this probably isn't the place to do it.</p>
<p>I suppose.</p>
<p>Personally, I think they should split everything 50/50.</p>
<p>Except then who takes what home at the end of the year? Unless you're renting and paying 50/50, it can make it difficult to divide up items.</p>
<p>Good point. Maybe keep whatever they brought, split the cable 50/50?</p>