Compatibility in a Relationship
All of us strive for the perfect relationship, often more idealistically than realistically. The latter has been - and still is - the most discussed topic ever. Yet what are the characteristics of THE relationship ever? Is it a universal formula or a check list you take out of your pocket on your second date? Is it a balance between love and good will or rather a masochist tendency paired with the need to settle down? Well, there are various theories, but let us narrow down the scope and examine compatibility in a relationship.
A healthy and harmonious relationship between a man and a woman should consist of love and respect. When taking a closer look it is inevitable that there is more to a relationship than love. Compatibility and understanding are crucial for a couple to survive the daily commodities of life. Some couples spend their entire relationship trying to change their spouse into a character they would be happier with, only to discover at the end that people or attitudes do not change.
During early socialization in childhood and adolescence we develop certain attitudes and behavioral patterns that are shaped by the environment that surrounds us, such as school, family, social groups one belongs to, and many more. These sets of attitudes and behaviors are deeply enrooted in us and are the basis to our character building. When in the proper age for a mature relationship, we are already stable and enrooted in our characters and personalities. Therefore it is too late to set expectations of change in essential character traits evident in the spouse.
Often people tend to believe that once strong love bondage exists nothing else matters. Well in some cases this might be true, yet in general it takes more than that. One must be able to differentiate between attitudes that drive certain behaviors or habits. By definition a habit implies an established custom or behavioral pattern acquired by frequent repetition. Habits, such as leaving the toilet seat up or the tooth paste open in the sink, can be changed bit by bit. Whereas attitude is defined as a complex mental state involving beliefs, feelings, values and dispositions to act in certain ways. When it comes to manifested attitudes that lead behavior into certain directions, such as “women shouldn’t work any kind of work” or “I hate discussing some problems with women”, they never really change or hardely can change!.
How can we distinguish between attitude and habit? Is it a thin red line only visible to the telescopic eye? No, it’s not at all. Once the basic idea of identifying habits and attitudes is recognized, there should be no problem at all in differentiation. Let’s say you are at your friend’s home with your partner, whom you are still getting to know better. At the friend's home you two get into a conversation with another couple. During the conversation he constantly makes disturbing noises while drinking or talks with his mouth full or, a not so gross thing; keeps on playing with his ear or finger nails . All of these are habits he acquired by frequent repetition.
Most of other statements concerning working women are based on deeply enrooted attitudes that were indicted by his family, friends, upbringing, media and many other influencing factors. His attitudes are the driving force of his actions. It is rather likely that he would not take working women seriously and might expect his wife not to work. At this stage you should evaluate if his attitudes coincide with yours. If they do then, bingo! If in fact you are a successful mechanical engineer, then he has without doubt screwed up big time! Seriously, signs for lack of compatibility can be detected at all stages of a relationship, the earlier the better.
Being aware of these differences it should be easier to evaluate a relationship at any stage more objectively, if this should be possible at all. Long term thinking beyond butterflies in the stomach, should be able to assist you in answering yourself some of these questions:
• Will I be happy in the future with my spouse the way he/she is now?
• Do we have common grounds to found a family?
• Do we have a shared vision regarding our life together?
• Do we want to raise our children the same way? With the same values and beliefs?
• Can I talk to my spouse about anything and everything? (Work, friends, politics, daily routine, etc...)
• Are we able to laugh together?
• Are we both willing to compromise without hurting each others feelings?
• Do we respect each other as individuals?
Some of these questions should identify the level of compatibility of a couple. Of course, there is much more to a relationship than calculus, but being honest to oneself has always been the key to happiness instead of crying over the “Road not taken” (Robert Frost). Many couples, even after years of love and courtship, when faced with reality after marriage and exposure to daily life, they bear the results of their actions, some of them fail to continue and others find compromises in ways not satisfactory to both partners. Why not be preventive rather than reactive? It is always better to see and acknowledge the signs instead of ignoring them as we have only one life to live and that should be in harmony, health and peace of mind.We don't refer to religion here as we just mean that side of selecting and understanding each other!
Sure we understand that mutual understanding of the bascis of our religion is the key for happy life between married couples.
The article is not written by me! I read it long ago, but I think My dear friend IK JJ needs to read it and understand it !!!!.
Mahmoud Ragaey Ali
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