You know the types: We love sushi. We hate "30 Rock." We always vacation at Sandals. It's annoying, sure. But new research suggests that couples who refer to themselves using pronouns like "we" and "our" apparently are not only better at making us very annoyed -- they also resolve conflict more successfully.
It turns out the couples' success comes from having a sense of unity with their partner that helps them grow closer and behave more positively toward each other.
Scientists at UC Berkeley asked couples to talk about points of disagreement in their marriages and analyzed their speech patterns. They found that pairs who used shared pronouns like "we" and "us" were generally happier and healthier in their relationships, where as those who peppered their speech with "I" and "you" were less close and tended to be more stressed and unhappy in general.
Fine, even if the habit of referring to yourself in the plural when you're not the Queen of England is more than a trifle annoying. If we-we-we-ing all the way home really is your best shot at making marriage work, then it still begs the question: How far should a couple who wants to live happily ever after take this tendency?
Is dressing alike the next way to ensure you don't end up getting a D-I-V-O-R-C-E? Should they take up synchronized swimming? Engage in overly complicated old-timey dance routines? Or walk in lockstep all the freaking time on purpose?!
And while we're at it -- what married couple habits make you crawl the walls? We'll will be waiting with gritted teeth and bated breath. And by that we mean ... we.
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Comments:
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Tuesday 02 February
By Bud Maxwell
WE are not amused either! LOL
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Tuesday 02 February
By Pat
When my husband says we that is spelled P-a-t..WE need to clean the house, WE need to change the oil, WE need to do what ever...After over forty years of marriage it is the I love you that only counts..and that is said with meaning and true love...WE don't mean P-o-o-p.....and that is the truth....
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Tuesday 02 February
By Maggie
So if my husband and I both like a TV show, or going to a certain place for Dinner, vacation, etc., how should I word it as to not annoy you? I like the beach, my husband also likes the beach. IS that better for you?! Some couple are happy and enjoy many of the same things....deal with it
Way to dog the commited relationship. I believe that if you find a couple (two people) using the term "we" ( plural form of "I") annoying, then you are searching for things to be bothered by. Let me guess, you also find wedding annoying, and people saying "I love you" to each other obnoxious What a very cynical way to live.
"WE" ( my husband and I) hope you have a lovely day. ;)
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Tuesday 02 February
By seminolesuz
To be happy you need to eliminate mean words & hateful acts.Treat your
loved ones with kindness & loving ways & you won't need a "magic" word.
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Tuesday 02 February
By DJ
My wifes my best friend and I'm hers and after 14 years we still we together all the time. Too bad I had to get divorced once to learn how to WE.
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Tuesday 02 February
By Larry
The key word for a successful marriage is patience.
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Tuesday 02 February
By emae
"We" is only okay if that is what both parties mean.
My spouse will say things like 'we doln't play cards'. I LOVE to play cards, my partner does not. He loves to talk...and it's hard to do both at the same time. In our house 'we' means this is what I believe therefore my spouse MUST agree.
Oh, yes,
WE have children and grandchildren...and lived pretty much parallel lives for over 50 years. Sad and mostly lonely,but sometimes you accept what God has given you and go on.
Things might NOT be greener on the other side of the fence.
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Wednesday 03 February
By Connie
The "Key" to a reasonably happy marriage is being reasonable in your expectations of each other. No marriage is happy ALL the time just as we as individuals are not happy ALL the time. TOLERANCE, COMMITTMENT and UNCONDITIONAL LOVE is the "Key" to a happy individual who then can be a part of a happy marriage.....a resonably happy marriage. Saying "we" does not make a "we" relationship. After being and staying married for 40 years...I can tell you that referring to you and your spouse as "we" has had NO part in our happiness together. WE have each remained individuals...very different ones, who love and respect each others uniqueness while tolerating each others
annoyances, etc.. Sometimes "we" stand together and other times "we" don't ...but we remain committed to each other for a lifetime. Every individual is responsibly for their own happiness. If you depend on someone else to do that...you are disillussioned. That person will eventually rain on your parade.
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Friday 05 February
By Jihan
I agree wholeheartedly with Martesa and Ladyhawk. The writer is just jealous and will never find a long time mate with that attitude. It never ceases to amaze me how folks actually want to complain and hate on those of us who are blissfully partnered. Get a life and get a clue!
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Monday 08 February
By Maria
It's all about balance the "we" in your life, speech and relationship http://wp.me/pLmzS-17
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