Possible Test Outcomes     R - Risk Taker   X - Risk Averse

Why they should be similar: If you're cautious and you're with someone who finds caution unattractive – maybe even contemptible – it's an obvious theater for conflict and fear. A risk taker wants someone who doesn't feel burdened with someone else's conservative instincts and fears. A person who is averse to risk is not willing to pay the price of a wrong guess that could lead to bitter feelings and loss. A person who's attracted to risk doesn't want to feel like they're hiding from opportunity and would feel guilty being with someone who was always upset and worried.

Exceptions: If you're a risk taker who is sometimes scared by your actions, you might feel better being with someone who makes you think twice. Likewise, if you're someone who feels you're missing out on some of life's excitement by having being too cautious, you might enjoy spicing up your life with someone who seems brave, confident and fearless.

Possible Test Outcomes     A - High Energy/Type A   B - Relaxed/Type B

People who have high energy don't like being constrained by people who are laid back. A typical example is the person who wants to run out and see every museum on their vacation. The opposite is the person who wants to stop, relax, read a book or stay by the pool all day. The High-Energy person is bored silly sitting by the pool. The pool person finds the High-Energy partner's pace frenetic and unpleasant.

These characteristics go far beyond vacations. They're commonly referred to as Type A and Type B people – overall approaches to the world that are completely different. Type A is driven, ambitious and likely to be successful in traditional terms. Type B is more balanced and may invest more time in family and relationships instead of work. Both types might feel the other has their priorities mixed up.

Two Type A's are the "Power Couple." Two Type B's are the content couple in their RV, unconcerned with the pace of other people's lives and uninterested in worldly recognition, or whatever else they might be missing out on.

Exceptions: Sometimes people are seeking to moderate their own pace. People who are seeking to "stop and smell the roses" may not want another Type A partner who will exaggerate their own incredible pace. Or Type B's who are drawn to the world of the rich and successful will seek out someone who can fulfill their desire to give their world a boost. The caution here is that the Type B may really be a Type A wannabe, living vicariously through their Type A partner. Or there could be underlying jealousy or projection onto the other person – urging them to be the person they really want to be.

Possible Test Outcomes     O - Optimistic   C - Cautious

Optimistic people don't want to be brought down by what they see as unconstructive negativity and pessimism. They get their strength from their own sunny outlook. They feel it's more likely for good things to occur if they operate from an expectation that they will occur. Negativity can make them mad and insecure. However, people who are worried about the down-side of possibilities don't see themselves as pessimists, but as realists. They often see their sunny opposites as foolish, impetuous, or setting themselves up for disappointment or vulnerability. They may not trust the judgment of someone they think of as reactive or blindly optimistic. They may even see this person as immature or childish and discount their approach or opinion.

Of course, this infuriates the optimist who wants to share their experience of the world with their partner. It has the potential of ruining the relationship. The optimist may feel a too-cautious partner creates a self-fulfilling prophecy and contributes to a negative outcome. They don't want to be with someone who is raining on their parade.

Exceptions: A person who generally thinks of the glass as "half full" may want to be with someone who brings out the joy in life and helps create more positive expectations. If they don't downplay the possibility of their partner being correct, they can enjoy their partner's positive attitude. Likewise, someone who has lived to regret a too-Pollyanna approach to the world, may be looking for a partner who sees the problems and downside of situations with clarity to save them from what they now see as their overly-optimistic expectations.

Possible Test Outcomes     V - Seek Variety/Bored by Routine   P - Seeks Predictability/Comfortable with Routine

There are some people who prefer to spend every summer at the same lake they visited every summer growing up – and the same lake they want to go back to every summer until they die. Other people can enjoy an experience, but not want to keep repeating it because they feel happier and more alive trying out new experiences. This relates to an overall personality characteristic where some people thrive because their life is predictable and habitual and others thrive because variety is their spice of life.

If people are unlike on this characteristic, there are often struggles about constants versus change. One person will feel deprived of their favorite things and habits and the other will feel stifled by the lack of adventurousness or diversity in the relationship.

Exceptions: If a person has enough predictability and wants someone who can introduce variety, then that person might want someone to bring them out of their structured lifestyle. Likewise, a person who has been having a free and changing life, they may get to a place where predictability is enticing. In that situation, opposites can attract. In real life, this kind of attraction is more likely to occur in a later stage where there has been an excess of one lifestyle for a long time. Then, a person who was happy with the way they lived is more likely to be compatible with someone who is different.