| Are you looking for someone who is just right for | | | | 6. Educational Compatibility: Some studies have |
| you, but not sure where or how to find him or | | | | found (and I have found in my experience and |
| her? Many people say opposites attract. Maybe | | | | practice) that educational and world experience |
| that is true, or maybe that is just what we are | | | | compatibility are important to many couples. |
| told as a way of explaining the "mystery" of | | | | People tend to feel the most comfortable with |
| relationships. | | | | others who share similar life experiences, |
| Being right for each other is more about having a | | | | professional opportunities, and world views. |
| "fit" of your personality, habits, and things you | | | | 7. Intimate Compatibility: Ideas for romance, |
| think are important. I call this the "compatibility | | | | intimacy and closeness come into play here. One |
| factor". Here are seven forms of compatibility to | | | | example is PDA (not a hand-held computer) but |
| look for in your relationship. | | | | Public Display Of Affection. You may love to hug |
| 1. Personality Compatibility: Do you really get | | | | and kiss in public, and your date may think it's just |
| along, or find that you are silently irritated with | | | | wrong. Having a mismatched style can lead to |
| the other person's personality? Are you uptight | | | | resentments and have a long-term effect on |
| and your date is laid back? Think about if and how | | | | your love life together. |
| you will handle difficult days. Personality is a very | | | | I hope that you learned about some of the |
| important factor, and the most difficult to change. | | | | compatibility factors in your own relationship. So |
| 2. Communication Compatibility: Are you direct or | | | | what can you do if you are not compatible? You |
| indirect? Does one of you do all the talking? Is | | | | can |
| one of you the silent type? Look at your | | | | 1. Accept things as they are |
| conversations. Decide if they flow, and if they are | | | | 2. Work on yourself and the relationship |
| enjoyable for you. | | | | Or |
| 3. Friends and Family Compatibility: Do you get | | | | 3. Leave the relationship. |
| along with one another's friends and family, or is | | | | If you opt for change, you can only change |
| this a source of stress for your relationship? | | | | yourself. It's unreasonable to demand that the |
| 4. Health and Nutrition Compatibility: Are you a | | | | person in your life changes unless they want to. If |
| health food nut or a junk food junkie? Is the only | | | | you are in the dating and selection process, it is |
| exercise you get channel surfing? Look at if your | | | | much more effective to choose a compatible |
| health-related lifestyles match or not. | | | | partner now than it is to "fix" something that is |
| 5. Financial Compatibility: Are you generous or | | | | "broken" later. Don't be afraid to let go if things |
| frugal with your money? How is your partner with | | | | are not working out. Sometimes love really is just |
| their finances? Money is one of the things couples | | | | not enough. Don't worry, there are millions of |
| fight about most often. If you share similar | | | | singles in the world to choose from, and you can |
| financial goals and means, this can be very helpful. | | | | find one that is compatible with you! |