So I moved into my shared house back in January. For the first couple of months, my housemate (who is also the owner of the property) was barely ever around because he was either travelling or working away. (As an introvert, this suited me just fine).
Obviously, since the pandemic, he has had to postpone his travelling lifestyle and we've been stuck in the house together for 8 weeks now.
We're getting on well and he's a decent guy, but being in lockdown with him got me feeling a tad stifled. I'm used to spending most of my evenings alone (and weekends with my partner), but instead I'm spending every night with this guy and it has become clear that we have different expectations of each other.
Like, I'm happy to socialise with him a couple of times a week, but sometimes I just want to make my dinner, eat in peace and watch TV by myself. He doesn't always seem to get that. He'll ask me to watch something with him every night and seems puzzled why I want to go up to my room instead.
He'll often want to make small talk with me whenever I cross his path, and I'll feel obliged to talk back. He'll want to chat about how my day was or how his day was and if I have any plans for the day. He'll always be offering me beer and baking cakes for us both. He's even now suggesting we cook together sometimes!
On the one hand I feel comforted that he likes me and he's a nice guy, but on the other hand I feel like I'm entering a covert contract. I guess I'm worried that I'm coming off as anti-social, since it is his house and maybe he is used to housemates who are more 'sharing' with their lifestyles. Lately when he asks how my day is and enters a conversation, I'll answer him but I won't ask him back and then I feel bad.
He mentioned it's his birthday in a couple of days and now I'm wondering if I have a moral obligation to do something for him or with him, since he's not able to go and party with his friends.