“Birds of a feather flock together.” “Opposites attract.” Both of these cliches can be true in relationships — which I guess renders neither of them true — and it’s totally fascinating to me. It leaves the couple with mirrored interests/ aesthetics/ professions/ etc wondering how the hell that Hedge Fund Manager/Yoga Instructor couple down the street is in any way functional. (Maybe the sex is fiery-hot enough to make up for any differences outside the bedroom?)

But one of the biggest of all the opposite-factors may be political persuasion, especially in ultra-heated, politics-is-war 2012. Most of my fellow liberal friends swear they could never ever EVER date a Republican — but then, I’ve dated one before, and it didn’t bother me at all. (We didn’t ignore the differences/never talk about it, either: we had debates all the time. They just never felt like actual fights.)

So this led to me to ponder exactly what tendencies in a left-leaning person might determine whether they could handle being with a right-winger. Cause it’s probably better to have an inkling up front, before you find yourself in a relationship where you’re constantly red in the face (so to speak).

Up next: Ways to tell if you can handle dating a Democrat! (We’re equal-opportunity over here.)

[Image via Splitsider]