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MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — The romantic idea of a soul mate is the plot of many books and movies. But is there really such thing as a “soul mate”?
A recent survey found that 73% say yes, they believe in soul mates.
Another 72% consider themselves romantics and believe people are destined to be together.
NEW YORK — Would you trust a computer to pick Mr. or Ms. Right? Three in five Americans say they’d trust a compatibility test to choose their next partner.
A survey of 2,000 Americans finds that most people value the idea of being “compatible” with someone when choosing a partner (89%), with 68 percent believing that someone who is “compatible” is similar to them. Another 72 percent of people consider themselves “romantics” who believe that people are destined to be together. A similar number believe in soulmates (73%).
Everything’s better with age
For most respondents, having similar goals and lifestyles is key to finding a match (69%), but four in five people still think that people from different walks of life can still be compatible with one another. The results suggest that compatibility means sharing the same values or preferences (81%), while 68 percent think someone is compatible with them if they get along with their family.
One in six are careful about who they bring home however, waiting at least a year into dating someone before introducing them to their family. Three in five would seek an opinion from a close friend on whether or not someone is compatible with them.
Finding love: Compatibility matters
People believe the top qualities that are most important when determining a good match are being able to accept someone as they are (50%), having a similar taste in music or movies (49%), or having similar personality traits (47%).
“Compatibility helps to create a strong and authentic connection with your partner,” says Marisa T. Cohen, Hily’s relationship researcher, in a statement. “One major component is sharing similar worldviews and beliefs. This, however, doesn’t mean that you and your partner are carbon copies of one another; rather, you share important core values. Differences are fine, and can even enhance a relationship (i.e., by learning from one another and expanding your horizons), provided these differences aren’t central to how you view the world.”
Nearly three in four believe that physical looks are important when searching for a potential partner (73%) — but sometimes looks can be deceiving. Forty-five percent of respondents admit dating someone they knew they weren’t compatible with just because they were physically attractive.
More than half of respondents learned the hard way when they realized that looks aren’t enough to be compatible with someone (58%). Others took extreme measures by forcing themselves to be compatible with someone in the past (61%).
Other lessons people learned from dating someone they weren’t a good match with were to “always go with your gut when you feel something is not right,” “don’t try to make something fit when it absolutely can not” and “don’t lower your standards, ever!”
Two in five would enter relationship just to avoid holiday loneliness
Winter blues may also cloud people’s judgment when looking for love since 17 percent says they feel the loneliest during that time. Forty-three percent even admit to starting a new relationship to avoid being lonely during the holidays. Seven in 10 agree that the holiday season feels lonelier when you’re single.
Three in five might have regrets of their own after admitting they thought they would be more compatible with someone from their past now than they were before. Whether they rekindle a flame from their past or find an entirely new spark, 68 percent believe that when they do find “the one,” their relationship will last forever.
“Finding a compatible partner is likely to lead to enhanced relationship satisfaction as you are in sync when it comes to the important core values, but are also up for challenging one another as you grow together,” Cohen adds.
