Two of a kind

A few columns back we talked about similarities. We mentioned kindred spirits and beings with parallel ideas. Birds of a feather flock together. We find it easier to move along with people of equal tastes.

Then there is the concept of opposites attract. This has been a theory for constant debate in my mind. I have heard many a tale of people uniting via similar personalities. I have read that many more diverse individuals of two spheres embark on journeys towards the 'and they lived happily ever after' stage.

He is a neat freak, you are a slob. He is a bookworm, you are a sports nut. He loves his 'me' time, you enjoy hanging out with friends. At first the differences between you makes things exciting but once you spend more time together how can you ensure that things would not fall apart?

Most people believe that getting into a relationship is the most difficult part but to tell you the truth, once you have started seeing each other you would realize that the real challenge lies ahead - how to carry on with your relationship. The charming little 'differences' that you might have found 'cute' at a time might seem like 'thorny annoyances' in later life.

Personally I do not believe in this 'person getting together with a one entirely different to his or her own personality' syndrome. There is bound to be clashes somewhere. However I do believe in persons from two different backdrops coming together form an intimate bond.

I have experienced it many a time. Some have been from different social statuses. Others from diverse religions. It is not like we agree on matters 100 percent. We do have moments in which we have engaged in hot debates.

Yet the friendship lasts. There have been moments when you wish the other person understood you better. This not only happens with outsiders or friends but even with family members that you have lived with all your life.

People react differently to different matters. That is what makes us different from each other. My friend stood by me when I refused to take on a task but did not take quick measures when I gave constant reminders that we need to prepare for an upcoming event in prior. Since I know that he is a last minute person, it was not entirely unexpected. Still being someone who prepares and worries if things might not run smoothly, I was agitated.

Overall, we make an interesting combination. We understand things that really matter to each other in life and even if we did not, we respect the other's decision and made an attempt to see the situation through the other's eyes.

Be realistic. Do not expect your partner to change much just because you have different tastes in some matters. Compromise. Be happy and love him or her for his or her positive points. They exist. After all those are what captivated you in the first place.

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