Couples with similar interests have better relationships

Studies suggest that couples who share the same interests go on to have longer, more fruitful relationships.

You would think that if couples have disparate interests ("opposites attract"), they can keep the relationship fresh and exciting. But this just isn't so, at least not over the long haul.

If you love baseball while your partner digs foreign art, you'll eventually bicker when it comes to deciding what to do on a given night.

Sure, the art of compromise is still alive and well, but couples whose interests diverge too widely will often find themselves growing apart before they know it.

This can be broadened to include personal views on everything from religion and politics to the environment.

Personality also comes into play, as I've noted in earlier posts. If your idea of a fun Saturday night is staying in and reading by the fireplace while your partner would much rather hit the nightclub, you're both in for a bumpy ride.

Again, sharing similar interests will pay huge dividends. The good thing is that some of the things we like doing can sometimes "rub off" on the other person. For example, I have helped my wife gain an appreciation for history since we started doing, and she's gotten me into shows I never envisioned liking, such as Law and Order.

Now you know: Opposites may attract in some cases, but couples who are alike will most certainly come out on top.

Comments

Do you have Isolophilia? Find out...

You're probably asking yourself, "What in the world does Isolophilia mean?" It sounds like it would be something negative, doesn't it? After all, words that end in "philia" (e.g., pedophilia) tend to involve things we want nothing to do with. But Isolophilia isn't something all people deplore. In fact, introverts like me welcome it. Put simply, Isolophilia is defined as having a strong affinity for solitude. It describes a person who relishes being alone. While extroverts can only take so much solitude, we introverts find that it rejuvenates us. In order to recharge our batteries, we need to retreat to a quiet environment where we we're left alone to rest and/or gather our thoughts. Extroverts, on the other hand, become bored and drained when they're alone for a lengthy period of time. Social interaction is the fuel that drives them. So while an extrovert would probably do anything to avoid feelings of Isolophilia in most cases, an...

No response from someone IS a response

Make no mistake about it: When you don't get a response from someone -- whether they fail to answer your texts or return your phone calls -- it is still a response, and a powerful one at that. When a person fails to respond, it's a direct reflection of their interest -- or lack thereof -- in the relationship. Few things are more aggravating than having to hound a partner, friend, or relative for some sort of reply after we've reached out to them. Yes, we get busy from time to time, but that doesn't give anyone the right to leave the other person hanging. A terse text with something like "Been busy, will reach out soon" doesn't say much, but at least it shows some effort to bring the other person up to speed on why they've fallen off the radar. Failing to provide a response for weeks -- if not months -- communicates that you are just not a priority, and that you'll have to wait your turn to get this individual's attention. This is n...

Women vs. Men: Who likes to backstab more?

Whether it's on TV or in the workplace, the general consensus seems to be that women gossip, backstab, and stir up more conflict than men do. But, as with every other topic, I thought it only fair to put this so-called stereotype under the microscope. If you watch reality shows like Celebrity Apprentice, you'll notice it's the women who spend far more time bickering. While the men do at times become embroiled in tit for tat, it's the women who are portrayed as meaner and more hostile. In the workplace, I have noticed that women seem to gossip far more than their male counterparts. I haven't really seen any cases where a person blatantly backstabs the other, but I have caught both men and women in little white lies. If it is true that women are generally more into backstabbing and gossiping than men, why is this the case? I believe that it isn't fair to make a blanket statement like "all women play these games while all men keep to themselves and pre...

Search This Blog