A relationship is like a.....

[steve w]

I'm curious about what everyone thinks of as a suitable metaphor for a relationship. Could be a good relationship, could be a bad one. There's so much writing and thinking talent out there, I'm sure we've come up with (or used) some before.

My initial nomination would be -

Joining a video store.

First, if you have any kind of options, you can't really choose. So you end up making an irrational choice, that's often based more on convenience than attraction.

Then you go through a process of joining together that takes too long, and somehow sucks some of the fun out of it.

After that, there's a honeymoon period where everything is fresh and exciting. So many things you haven't tried, and even old favourites seem to have a new twist. You're even prepared to try a few things you haven't done before.

After a while, things start to lose their novelty, and you begin to realise that you've seen everything in the store that you want to see.

And you've noticed a new store elsewhere in town, that seems to be offering something a little different. It's tempting you in every time you pass it.....

Would love to hear your metaphors!

 

[CharleyH]

Well, my experience has been:

A relationship is like dipping into the garden of eden, and then you get shot in the head. A relationship is like the warm ocean flowing over you as you lay naked on the beach, and then you get shot in the head again. LOL I'm NOT BITTER!!!!

 

[Guest]

Charley, let's forget the relationship and get married. You rawk.

Perdita
---

steve w: I'm with her, nothing to add. P.

 

[Boxlicker101]

Entering a relationship can be like buying something and then seeing it at a reduced price everywhere else or entering a relationship can be like buying something and then finding out the next day that the store had posted the wrong price and it should have cost twice as much.

 

[Green_Gem]

Steve,

I think a relationship can be compared to an airplane journey.

First you have the build up and anticipation, the excitement of what lies ahead, the initial exhilaration and rush as the plane builds up speed for take off and then the lift off, climbing higher and higher, reaching new peaks until you level out and cruise along.

Along the way there are a few bumps, some air pockets. Sometimes you hit stormy weather and things get rocky, but in most cases it levels off and evens out. Of course the inevitable is that sometimes relationships end with the landing. The big bump as you come down to earth. The positive thing though, is that somewhere down the road, you'll take a flight back and maybe that one will be smooth and trouble-free.

Happy flying...

Green_Gem

 

[steve w]

Gem has succinctly explained why I have had a lifetime of only flying economy, and why successive airlines have taken one look at me and decided I don't deserve an upgrade.....

Charley, I love a woman who's bitter. I take it as evidence of being perceptive. I can tell you're soooo over things already. It's like they never happened.....

 

[SensualCealy]

A relationship is like buying a plant.... you see it in the store and cant go home without it.... once you are home you care for it, nurture it and pamper it. After a few months you begin to ignore it hoping it will survive.... then you notice the tips of the leaves turning brown. You quickly trim it up and pamper it, maybe even water it a time or two....this either brings it back to life or kills it. When all else fails throw it out and buy a new one!
Cealy

 

[MaxSebastian]

I think relationships are like big cities. If you're not in one, you kind of think you're probably missing out on something. Hell, if so many people want to be there, there must be something to be there for, huh?

Then when you're in one, it might be interesting/exciting for a while, there's more to do there, more to see. Then you get used to it. The pressures are greater there, so after a while you might start longing for the countryside again, or perhaps just a short break in a foreign city...

 

[Guest]

A relationship is like a card game.

You bet on the cards in your hand, sometimes you win and sometimes you lose.

And when the game is over you hope that you at least broke even.


Jmt

 

[kellycummings]

Relationships are easily summed up...

Men/Women (pick one)...

Can't live with 'em, can't bury them in the backyard.

Think that about sums it up. For me anyway.

 

[tolyk]

Relationships are easily summed up...

Men/Women (pick one)...

Can't live with 'em, can't bury them in the backyard.

Think that about sums it up. For me anyway.

Also works as: Can't live with 'em, can't shoot 'em.. I like to add _legally_ into that


But, I think that relationships are like Computers. 2 weeks after you get it, its outdated and obsolete, needs upgrading of some sort, and there is something that has been shouting CRITICAL ERROR

 

[lucky-E-leven]

Relationships are like new shoes.

Awkward at first but still intriguing enough to keep putting on and wearing out.

And then they grow comfortable and you wish they went with all your outfits or want to wear them to bed every night.

And then they get a little worn and while you still love them, you can't justify having them on all the time but still feel good when you dig them out for the day.

Eventually they have so many miles, are so out of style, don't fit you well at all anymore and need to be taken to CCA...

...but you have emotional attachments to them and they remain in the closet for eternity, sometimes making you smile, but mostly pissing you off because it's too hard to get rid of the damn things.

-E defeatist? yes, optimism has blown a fuse this evening

 

[Dirt Man]

A relationship is like having to pee all the time. Sometimes the bathroom is occupied, sometimes it isn't.

As Always
I Am the
Dirt Man

 

[Madame Manga]

Relationships are like my garden. They take a while to prepare and plant, and even though you have a plan, you always want to leave some open space in case you find something interesting on sale after you've done the major work. Gardens constantly evolve. Everything in the garden has a life cycle and must either grow or stagnate. Some plant withers and dies and at first you panic, and then realize that you will just have to dig that one up for the compost heap and sow some new seeds. Those flowers may be prettier than the ones that started out in that spot. Don't forget to keep fertilizing and watering, because nothing thrives without at least a little attention. Sometimes all the leaves fall and you are sure that life is permanently over. But don't chop everything down yet. Often after a period of cold, spring comes, and the brown stems send out green shoots.

(Yes, I have dirt under my fingernails today. Why do you ask?)

MM

 

[snooper]

The three laws of relationships are like the three laws of thermodynamics.

For those who can't remember them they are (in layman's terms):

1 You can't win.

2 You can't break even.

3 Once in, you can't get out of the game.

 

[Mhari]

I like MM's idea. It's pretty close to the one I was thinking of posting, so I won't bother.