Consider that dating has not only moved into the 21st century 
but that Online Dating has allowed people to meet each other 
in an ever-widening circle of choices.

A couple of clicks of the mouse and you can meet someone in any 
state, country, of any religion, or sexual preference. A couple 
of more clicks and now you can start meeting those whose 
interests, hobbies, emotional make-up, and lifestyles are a 
match for you. So, what could be easier? Well, for starters, 
when seriously looking for a relationship, it is the very 
variety of choices that presents the most difficulty.

So setting love aside for later discussion, what follows is 
a suitability scale based on common interests, values, goals, 
lifestyles, tastes, desires, needs, and ideals. Remember everyone
comes into a relationship with their own set and because of that 
reality all possible partners would fit somewhere within the 
following range.  


Ideal suitability. There are perhaps a dozen or so possible 
   partners in the entire world with whom a long-term 
   relationship would be ideal. 

   However, there are some skeptics who even doubt that in all  
   of history, except for movies and fairy tales, such a union 
   has actually taken place. Nonetheless, due to the small odds 
   of actually meeting someone fitting this range, let us turn 
   to the next stage on the scale.

Unusual suitability. Here is something much more possible. Where 
   the first applied to only a dozen or so possibilities, this 
   category includes a few hundred choices. And were it not for 
   the Internet's Online Dating Services, there would have been 
   scant opportunity for ever meeting anyone fitting this 
   category. So, if you are fortunate enough to connect with 
   someone here, do not pass over him or her for something 
   transitory like sex appeal. Keep in mind that if sex appeal 
   were the most important consideration in forming meaningful 
   relationships then Hollywood film couples would be 
   outstandingly successful.

High suitability. This means a person who would be well adapted 
   to a happy and satisfactory relationship. Here is something 
   that is highly possible. Before the Internet, one way of 
   doing this would have been to join particular groups and 
   activities to which such a person would naturally be 
   attracted. However, if such a group was not readily available 
   or did not have enough unattached members to make it 
   worthwhile to join, the only option left was to move in the 
   hope that there would be enough choices to make it worthwhile 
   to do so. 
     
Good suitability. While highly suitable applies to only two to 
   three percent of the population, this category applies to 
   ten to fifteen percent. For anyone searching for a long 
   lasting relationship this is were the line in the sand should 
   be drawn. This category means that while you may not have a 
   great deal in common, what you do have in common is enough 
   to sustain the relationship. And what you do not have in 
   common is not so divergent as to cause major clashes.   

Reasonable suitability. Most normal people could get along with 
   most other normal people reasonably well. In this category, 
   if your expectations with each other are limited you should 
   be OK as long as you realize that many arguments will ensue 
   in rather short order.   
    
Possible suitability. In this classification we have those who 
   are good material, but not suitable for each other. In other 
   words, they may be a great fit for someone else but due to 
   your proclivities, not you. Should you get involved with such 
   a person, the relationship would be a serious strain on both 
   of you. Physical attraction plays a great part in choosing 
   someone in this category however, as soon as that wears 
   out...and it will...major disagreements will soon follow. 
  
Basic unsuitability.  Need one say more? But it is somewhat 
   surprising how many make life choices in this category.   
   She pouts cutely.   He or she has a great ass. The pout, 
   not matter how appealing, could mean emotional instability, 
   and that great ass is guaranteed to fall. Therefore, unless 
   you are a basic neurotic, with all the choices the Internet 
   allows, why would you even consider a choice fitting this 
   category?  And also, because the end results of these types 
   of relationships can often be tragic, even if you are 
   neurotic just don't do it, instead get professional help.     


Think of it this way, regardless of all the psychological 
complexities in defining behavior patterns, neurotic behavior 
is nevertheless simply an exaggeration of normal behavior and 
as such a bit of cognitive therapy can work wonders.