Yesterday, I went for a drink with my brother and as the evening went on, we started talking about our dating histories. One of the many subjects we chatted about was the importance (or lack thereof) of social/lifestyle compatibility.

I’ve always stated as long as I’m compatible on the important issues i.e. values, morals etc with a potential partner and we have some common lifestyle and/or social interests, the rest would fall into place but the more I think about, I wonder whether I’m being naive and wanted to get some feedback.

Sing before you ask...by social/lifestyle..I mean having the same hobbies/interests

If they have at least a few of the same interests and are willing to try new things, that works for me. We don't have to share all common interests.

I think it is pretty important. We don't have to share every interest, but sharing several is what first draws me. The differences are what make it interesting, in my opinion it gives each of us something to possibly educate the other in. Personally I like the idea of trying and learning new things my partner may wish to share with me.

vegetarian.
atheist.
artist.
i'm good to go.

I actually prefer when someone I'm dating and I don't share a ton of interests. It gives each of us new things to try/learn about. Keeps things a bit more interesting. It also gives us our own things to do at times.

Has to be a artist of some sort. Its important that he and I share the same types of music.

The best relationships I have had involved girls that had very little in common with me.

It becomes a learning process in which allows for perpetual expansion of interest...

It keeps the relationship fresh and doesn't confine it to the usual boorish repetitive nature that quickly ensues after a period of time.

if you like going out with people who have very little in common with you,
how are different they?
how do you know when they're so different you just wouldn't get along?

She has ta like to ride on the.....Harley.....

Other than that.....

We can find things we both enjoy.....

Together!!!!!



Oh....

She must like.....

Beards!!

It's not a requirement or something I necessarily look for, but in retrospect, the girls that I had the least in common with turned to be the more meaningful relationships.

The differences were stark.. I like black they liked white.. They liked rap I like black metal.. I like exotic trips where there is a chance I might never leave alive.. They liked sitting on the couch watching TV...

Differences have their rewards..

Hobbies and interests don't matter to me as much as core values.

See, this is what I'm talking about. It does keep things interesting. And who knows, you may find new things that you enjoy.

ohhh.
like the 'cute' little things.
meh.
i was thinking like a vegan going out with a hunter.

I have dated a few vegans.. My love of bloody red meat didn't seem to bother them that much to be honest..

I think the largest divide I faced was in trying to cope with a hard core socialist... We had some interesting conversations..

I'm vegetarian and I wouldn't partner up with a hunter.

I don't care about the meat eating, my boys always ate meat...
not having anyone dragging dead animals home.

I enjoyed pretending that I was interested in some cases..

The ends justified the means..

are you the type who goes hunting and comes back with a deer in the back of a pickup and has heads mounted on the walls?

I don't have a pickup or would ever buy a pickup.

I am not a hunter.

I just enjoy a nice bloody steak with a glass of cognac and some Wagnerian opera music playing in the background..

You're a redneck who isn't a hunter and doesn't have a pickup truck?!?

I suppose I shouldn't say I will never buy a pickup.. I suppose there could be a day when Audi decides to enter the pickup/redneck/hunter market..