Hen in the Cock-house: What it’s like being the only girl in a house of boys

My girlfriends reacted in horror when I told them I would be moving into an all boy house.

There’s the initial awkward politeness which inevitably happens when you move in with your friends for the first time. One of my housemates actually turned around and had his conversation with the wall the first time I walked out of the bathroom in a towel.

We’ve now descended into the state which most housemates end up in eventually: boundaries have been blurred, lines have been crossed and it’s hard to see where your life ends and their lives begin.

Attempt at a house photo

One of the first things I learnt is  you should never assume as the only girl you will have the most beauty products. Within two weeks of moving in I discovered my housemate couldn’t move in his room for hair products. I have since learnt the difference between clay, wax and gel including the difference strengths in holds and process of getting the perfect style.

There I was with my collection of a singular hairspray, picked at random because it was the cheapest in Boots. He has since recommended me a new hair product website which at first I laughed about but am now excited to receive my brand new salt spray – whatever it does.

Unfortunately, it does get gross. In the first month our house was rocked by scandal. What is now referred to Pee-gate sent divisions through the house and accusations were made.

Luckily we came out the other side of Pee-gate with all boys promising to lift the lid when using the bathroom.

As for the kitchen situation, mysterious substances will be glued to every surface, but to be honest, it’s probably in the same state as every other house in Lenton.

Doesn’t every kitchen look like this?

Never before have I seen three humans eat so much. One housemate has his cereal in a mixing bowl rather than those normal bowl for us mere mortals.

“But Ollie, we’re BUCS athletes” is the excuse thrown at me. It’s a mystery how they don’t get obese whereas I’ll have a chip and then I guess I can’t wear a crop top in Crisis tonight.

Home from a night out

Unfortunately there have been a few rifts. For example, when I found out my housemate had wondered into my room to use my best make-up brush and my bronzer, and unfortunately I didn’t notice until I tried to use the brush for foundation and ended up with a very orange face.

But I really wouldn’t swap the guys for anyone.

Yes, I miss aspects of girl houses. Getting ready for a night out isn’t quite the same when you’ve forced two-thirds of your house to sit on the landing outside your room to talk to you whilst you get ready. They did pick my outfit for Ocean one time though, and it was so good I considered keeping them as my permanent stylists.

Love a good house selfie

Walking home from Ocean after a few Jägerbombs with your own personal and very tall escort home never fails to make a girl feel safe, and I really appreciate them for it.

Unfortunately one housemate’s latest hobby is collecting traffic cones, which annoyingly disrupts the walk, and you can’t move for cones in my living room.

But for any girl potentially being the only girl in a house: don’t worry about it, they’re really not so awful.