NationStates Jolt Archive

Ok, so we all know that Opposite attracts, not only in magnets, but also sometimes in people. However, once the initial attraction wears off, IE the honey moon phase is over, how many couples who are opposites of one another actually work out?

So far, all the happy couples I've seen are similar to one another, they're not exactly the same, but they're not polar opposites either. Now I do or did know a few polar opposite couples. One of the couples, both parties are miserable and the rest, well they all broke up.

I think in relationships, you have to find the right balance between similarities and differences between the two people.

Thoughts?

I agree with this. Opposites attract... And then they kill each other.:D

I agree with this. Opposites attract... And then they kill each other.:D

One party of the unhappy couple just might....you think I'm kidding, I'm not, she may actually kill him.

The best relationships - of any kind - are between people with complementary personalities, which necessarily means that in some ways they will be "opposite" and in some ways closer to the same.

I dunno...I dont really attract to opposites...

I mean, i have to be compatible with someone in order to establish a connection...if i cant establish one then im usually not interested...

The best relationships - of any kind - are between people with complementary personalities, which necessarily means that in some ways they will be "opposite" and in some ways closer to the same.

Agreed. I never really met a couple who are polar opposites (in every way) actually work out.

inverses lure you
we all love to learn new things
don't get too cozy

Ok, so we all know that Opposite attracts, not only in magnets, but also sometimes in people.

While I've (obviously) heard the phrase numerous times, I'm not sure it actually holds very much.

People in general are very different, and differences, even large ones, don't have to be a problem. But for any relationship worthy of the name (be it friendly, romantic, or whatever), there have to be at least some points of common ground... and those points of common ground, not any personality opposition, are its foundation.

I think this is true even when it comes to simple attraction, at least attraction that moves beyond the physical.

(Of course, it is also true that very similar people can often have a mutual antagonism....)

Somehow I don't think attraction is sufficient on its own for a long term relationship. Unless the people in question are just fuck buddies.

I agree with this. Opposites attract... And then they kill each other.:D

*images a guy with a - sign on his shirt and a girl with a + sign on hers flying toward each other at high velocity*

opposites attract indeed. :eek:

The best relationships are built on lies, lunacy and lust.

Although I sometimes agree with what Soviestan is suggesting, in my experience, polar opposites most likely end up breaking up or breaking things at each others heads. Similarly, if a couple has very strong personality features in similar areas in the same direction (both can be argumentative or both can be too happy with who they are) it will probably spell disaster too...

In brief, Poliwanacraca has the right of it in my humble opinion.

Cheerio!

Are you calling me a magnet http://209.85.48.8/html/emoticons/angry.gif

As a general rule opposites don't in fact attract, as far as psychological research has shown. (Last I read, anyway.) Having lots of things in common is important for a stable relationship.

Wether or not me and my SO actually are a couple is hard to say (we tend to think more in terms of room mates who are close friends) but we are opposites in most ways. Said SO is a liberal, wooley minded socialist who reads The Guardian and watches endless amounts of TV soaps and read comic books... We don't really agree on anything except that France is cool, Indonesian food is nice, history explains everything, and that the US shouldn't be allowed anything more dangerous than retractable pens.

We've been not-partners for four and a half years.

In fact, oppisites do attract. But I guess the thrill factor has much to do with it. After the thrill ends, opposites go at each others's throats and the relationship ends. Badly, at that. I know.

Ok, so we all know that Opposite attracts, not only in magnets, but also sometimes in people. However, once the initial attraction wears off, IE the honey moon phase is over, how many couples who are opposites of one another actually work out?

So far, all the happy couples I've seen are similar to one another, they're not exactly the same, but they're not polar opposites either. Now I do or did know a few polar opposite couples. One of the couples, both parties are miserable and the rest, well they all broke up.

I think in relationships, you have to find the right balance between similarities and differences between the two people.

Thoughts?

With my self and my wife, we are quite opposite in many things, and it is these opposites that are at the core of our relationship. The more we are not alike, the more we have to talk about. Heh and sheesh, my good woman likes to talk!:D

I think it refers more to character than to personal preferences and ideas.
For example. my BF is a bit of a moaner, I tend to be cheerful. He's very thrifty, whereas money tends to burn holes into my pockets. He's a realist, I'm a dreamer. He's a bit of a messy hoarder, I keep things organised and the junk at manageable level.
We sort of compliment each other in many ways.

If it were a case of him being a religious conservative and me being a my usual fairly liberal self, there would be no complimenting each other and we would not get along.

I think it refers more to character than to personal preferences and ideas.
For example. my BF is a bit of a moaner, I tend to be cheerful. He's very thrifty, whereas money tends to burn holes into my pockets. He's a realist, I'm a dreamer. He's a bit of a messy hoarder, I keep things organised and the junk at manageable level.
We sort of compliment each other in many ways.

If it were a case of him being a religious conservative and me being a my usual fairly liberal self, there would be no complimenting each other and we would not get along.


Yeah and the same with me and my wife, except of course, I am a religous nut, and she a commited atheist.

I think it refers more to character than to personal preferences and ideas.
For example. my BF is a bit of a moaner, I tend to be cheerful. He's very thrifty, whereas money tends to burn holes into my pockets. He's a realist, I'm a dreamer. He's a bit of a messy hoarder, I keep things organised and the junk at manageable level.
We sort of compliment each other in many ways.

If it were a case of him being a religious conservative and me being a my usual fairly liberal self, there would be no complimenting each other and we would not get along.

Yea, I think it also has to do where the opposite and similarities are at.

I mean different taste in music, movies, video games, etc. aren't going to matter that much.

But if one person is very independent, and the other is more of the "On you like white on rice" kind of person, yea they're going to be friction.

My opposite (optimistic, beautiful, intelligent...) would not attract me.

"Birds of a feather...", "Like attracts like."