Yes, like I said, I do agree that, by and large, successful couples are in many ways comprised of opposites. I also agree that, based on what I've seen, this is only a harmonious and beneficial unionwhen, as you said, the couple shares the same core values. Namely similar ethics andmorals which tend to manifest in similar, not identical, religious and political beliefs.


The pattern opposites I notice the pairing of is -- and this is likely an oversimplification -- an introvert with an extrovert. These couples seem very well-suited as they balance the strong and weak points of each other's natures and early on in their relationships learn the value of compromise and patience.


But what if that isn't possible for everyone? For instance, I wouldn't mind being matched to my political opposite, but I would feel thatbeing matched tosomeone both my political and religious opposite would be too much of a strain on a relationship. So, for the sake of argument, say it's a must that someone be of similar political and religious beliefs.


While we're at it, let's also say this is a perfect world where traits such as honesty, trust, loyalty, et. al. are all given. What, then, is left to differentiate people by? Personality, I would think. If that's the case, are people such as myself hopeless?


By which I mean that I'm an extrovert and know from experience I do not do well in relationships with introverts. (Why do I have the feeling the Introverts United group is about to rise up against me?) My friendships with introverts are wonderful, but I cannot abide a relationship with a man who wants to defer to my lead and wants me to wear the metaphorical pants.


That said, I don't mean to sound narrow-minded, intolerant, or exacting. But having given it the college try in more than one relationship, I simply know that I'm very unhappy in relationships in which the gentleman wants to acquiesce to meas the shot-caller, decision-maker, and so forth.


So, if opposites do so well together, are people such as myself doomed?