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.

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