Marriage

[random_soldier1337]

You're not obligated to do anything other than sleep, breathe, consume food, aqcuire shelter, acquire currency for said food and shelter, take a dump and do all of these except acquiring shelter on a regular basis. Hell you don't have to do any of that either if you're suicidal and don't really give two flying fucks about staying alive.

It's a matter of preference. Nothing comes without it's pros and cons. Whether that's being married/unmarried or something else.

Personally, the problem with getting married/finding a soulmate/etc., is how do you find this 'right one' or your 'dream girl/guy' or whatever you prefer to call them? I can't really say I have the uncanny ability that everybody seems to possess to judge someone simply at first glance or over a cup of tea/coffee. For that matter given how fickle people can be, how do you judge someone even within a year?

[Nemmerle]

Going by the number of failed marriages, I'd say the ability to accurately judge someone at first sight isn't that common.

[random_soldier1337]

And at the same time there are those that ended up better. If Goody is being truthful on the last page (no offense Goody), there's at least him. What do I gather from that?

[Nemmerle]

Perhaps he just got lucky, with millions of men and women pairing off someone's bound to. Or perhaps there's something in between psychic powers and total ignorance, so that while there's still an element of luck some people are more likely to get lucky than others.

[Goody.]

It is true that marriage is not a requirement for a contented partnership but being committed is and marriage is just a statement of commitment to one another. I am sure there are other ways of making that statement without all the legal issues but I suppose if your going to to do it you might as well do it right.

As for finding the right person and knowing them when you find them. Well I am not sure what to tell you as it can happen at any time or never. I only hope you guys do find them. Someone said and I think it was Billy Conolly that we are a screwed up so find someone who is just as screwed up as you and be happy. I guess I was lucky.

[Lindale]

To be completely honest, you are the (VERY rare) exception, not the rule.

[random_soldier1337]

Luck of the draw and finding somebody 'as screwed as you'?

I really wish I didn't have to rely on probability for anything. It's the world's way of telling 'fuck you' even when you do your best and try to make the best of the cards you've been dealt.

As for the second statement that seems a dark way to look at it for somebody who is so happily married.

[Goody.]

I hope that is not the case but I fear you might be right.

Latest statistics (published December 2012) estimate that 42% of marriages in England and Wales end in divorce. It is also estimated that: 34% of marriages are expected to end in divorce by the 20th wedding anniversary.

[Silberio]

I like the way Goody puts it. Cheers for that
For what I've seen, some married couples seem to do amazing, others not so much. It's just, as with anything else, a thing that differs from person to person.

I personally don't really like the whole marriage institution for myself, as in I don't see myself getting married at any point because I feel I can have a good relationship with someone without a legal binding and also because I'm polygamous.
Right now I'm going great with a person from Texas who hopefully will come visit by the end of summer, and neither of us really like the whole marriage thing, but we still consider ourselves a couple and you know... May or may not have hypothetical future plans.

The only reason I would probably get married would be for the ceremony... A huge, flamboyant, overly-produced ceremony and I just adore a nice wedding dress

[Goody.]

Originally Posted by random_soldier1337

As for the second statement that seems a dark way to look at it for somebody who is so happily married.

I would not say it is a dark statement more of repeating of a observation made by someone else. I love my wife but I am under no illusion about her or myself. We both have flaws that may make other people run a mile if we were single but together we suit each other.
If you guys are looking for miss perfect then your screwed because she is a fairy tale but it your looking for someone who will compliment you then you have a real chance of finding miss right.