Two Peas In A Pod... Or Not

I was having this conversation with someone a few months ago, about how important it is, for two people in a relationship, to have common likes and dislikes, and while our chat was specifically focused on analysing the compatibility factors in romantic relationships, I'll share my views HERE in a more broader sense... i.e. for all kinds of relationships.

So, do we really need to have common interests and tastes for a relationship to blossom and grow strong?

To some extent, yes. I mean, it WOULD be great if you could have animated conversations with each other, on topics of mutual interest. At the end of the day, though, what's more important is, as we figured out during our chat, to KNOW and UNDERSTAND each other's likes and dislikes, irrespective of whether you share those exact same likes or not.

For example, back in the late 90s, my sister was absolutely crazy about Shahrukh, Salman and Bobby Deol (complete with his long French-poodle hair!), while I only had space for Aamir Khan in my "celebrity-crush" zone! I religiously continued to pull her leg about those three actors, never letting go of any opportunity to tease her! Yet, I was the one who bought posters for her, of those same three actors, during my college-bunking sprees!

She behaves in quite the same way with me (minus the "teasing", of course, as she's younger). For instance, I am so fond of food. I especially love those different flavored tea-time cakes and stuffed breads. Anything from the bakery, actually. And she hardly ever touches them. Still, she tries to get them for me every time she comes over, and tosses them to me saying "Ye lo tumhara kooda-kachra!" (Here's the crap you're so fond of!)

In short, what I'm trying to say is that THAT FEELING is more important for any relationship... that you care enough for each other to remember what each other likes and dislikes... than having common likes. Also that you ACCEPT your mutual differences in taste/interest.

THAT, plus how much that relationship matters to you, because if it doesn't, then any tiny excuse will be enough of a reason for you to part ways, but if it DOES mean something to you, then you'll simply overlook the "little stuff", avoid doing things that the other person is sensitive about, and MAYBE even go out of your way to do things that the other person particularly cares about.

After all, a relationship is only as good as how much you're willing to invest in it, right?

So, just like business ventures, choose your relationships also carefully, and then invest into them with ALL you've got. Don't hold back anything. And don't just sit back and expect things to become perfect on their own. Remember: it takes two to tango.

So, what do you think?
Do we really need to have common likes and dislikes for a relationship to become strong?
Do we need to be "two peas in a pod"?

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