So when you're at a little market and find clogs, you might think, "OK never wearing THOSE," but your S. might see those same shoes and think, "These would make amazing planters for a windowsill herb garden." Then he'll come home with clogs and put herbs and soil in them, and it will all be 7.

If one of you is neat and the other messy, you keep each other from becoming too anal/slob-like. If you just can't possibly see how someone can have a different point of view than you, your partner, being unlike you, can often get you to see the other side of things.

We believe that such different types are magnetically drawn together. Certainly not in those two examples, nor in many others.

There is so much more to compatibility than if you both like skiing or prefer conservative politics.To my surprise, their advice was nearly unanimous: Opposites may attract, but they don't usually make for great and lasting marriages.Bella and Edward in the "Twilight" series are certainly a definition of opposites who can't resist each other.Neat freaks can always stand to take their obsession with everything being put in drawers at right angles down a notch, and slobs can always stand to put dishes in the dishwasher at a faster rate. (My partner tells me this is called "empathy." See how that works? When your families meet, it's entertaining to watch.[dropcap]W[/dropcap]hen it comes to dating, you’ve probably witnessed your close friends and family unanimously agree that finding a partner exactly like you will bring long-term happiness and success in the relationship.In literature and legend, at least, it's tough to bring two different worlds together.I've asked over 500 people married 40, 50 and more years what is most important for a long and happy marriage.But there have been several studies looking at whether opposites do indeed attract and for the most part the answer seems to be no.A 2003 study from the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found, in fact, that people really want to be romantically connected to someone they view as being very similar to themselves.While having a few common interests and basic outlook on life is important, dating someone too similar to yourself could lead to stagnancy, boredom, and dissatisfaction down the road. Having the same likes and dislikes, the same quirks, same hobbies, exact same personality, taste in food…you would eventually feel trapped and complacent, and would likely seek someone who complemented you rather than mirrored you.Biologically speaking, we are hardwired to be attracted to people that are different than us.You'll be financially savvy and have Real Art, which is, of course, every yuppie couple's dream living situation, next to owning a proper espresso machine.3. Because you'll never want to turn off Rihanna so he can listen to Bruce Springsteen, but at some point you're going to have to learn to tolerate the TV/music/film that you hate from the bottom of your soul because you unquestionably love him more than you hate his i Tunes. loves it even though it's not in your usual rotation of YA, memoirs, and Jane Austen.Your practiced art of compromise will get you far in the workplace where you might find yourself regularly with the urge to punch people in the face, and will have to "settle" by doing that.4. Like watching a TV show you'd never normally watch because it's on a network like FX or something like that. You realize it's OK to tell your partner that you do hate some of their interests, and that isn't a problem in a healthy relationship.Check out these five predictors and see if you and a potential partner might be a good romantic match beyond the surface interests. If you tend to write off a guy quickly, I encourage you to give more men at least a second date. When we met, it was clear we didn't have much in common.