Relationships are hard. They take work and understanding to keep them healthy and ongoing. Relationships with friends are hard enough. Carving out time to cultivate relationships and let them grow is a challenge—now throw love, sex, and emotions into it. What a minefield. It’s a rare case where two high school sweethearts meet, fall in love, and live happily ever after. Most of us have many awful relationships that end in heartache before we finally figure it out and either find the love of our life or settle because we are tired. That might sound terrible, but it happens. The top reasons relationships fail might surprise you, but heed the warning. Look for these signs, and if you see them, then it’s not meant to be.
The Awful Truth Is Revealed
Sports is a big part of American culture. Year round, with a few exceptions, sports are available to watch on TV and in person. Fans are loyal to their teams, almost to a fault. Find out right away if your partner is a fan of sports and demand to know who they root for. If you’re a Bears fan and she loves the Packers, it’s not going to work. Steelers and Ravens? Same thing. Don’t waste each other’s time and keep looking.
She/he Eats Food Wrong
Certain food habits can be overlooked, like flavored creamers in coffee or not putting butter on popcorn. You can look past that. But there are other food sins that are unforgivable. If you meet someone who puts ketchup on a hot dog, or AI steak sauce on a ribeye steak, they are awful people. They will only frustrate you and continue to do embarrassing things at restaurants like order off the kids’ menu. Next!
Communication Problems
Communication problems are often cited as the number one reason relationships end. Not for the reason you might think. The problem is too much communication, not too little. Sometimes you don’t want to hear about the idiots at work, or the last out of the softball game. It’s perfectly acceptable to sit in silence in the car or at home. Not every minute of the day must be filled with noise.
It’s the Little Things
The details in life, as in relationships, are everything. Take a wide view of life but know it’s OK to focus on the little habits and manners of a partner. People’s behavior in the kitchen hints at larger issues. If they leave toast crumbs in the butter, peanut butter in the jelly jar, or put a wet spoon in sugar bowl after stirring their coffee, leaving tiny coffee balls, get out of there. They are either slobbish or self-centered, and neither of those traits are admirable.
