[catwoman]

How did I know when this guy was not right for me? I asked him if he had a pair of hiking boots and he said "what for?". I said, "well, to go hiking, of course." He then said, "what do you think the Discovery chanel is for!" THAT was the end of THAT!

[Mike E.]

Catwoman, That story reminds me of my ex-wife, never did like hiking. She gets her "exercise" now by going square dancing. Each to their own I guess.

[Bushwacker]

My date for this Saturday definitely has hiking boots and she likes to hike. Seeing as it's our first date, should I go ahead and ask her about "The Discovery Channel"? Maybe I shouldn't be that aggressive! BW

[Damian]

Common recreational interests is a shallow requirement for a good mate.

[MCaver]

[Tom]

Maybe it's just me, but I detected a hint of sarcasm in Damian's reply.

[Mike E.]

[catwoman]

MCaver and Mike E. - I completely agree. The funny thing is, I'd already been on a few dates with this guy and he said he enjoyed hiking in the very beginning!

[MCaver]

[asolo]

So did you give him the boots?

[Slugman]

I think shared interests are great, and so are unshared interests. Tanja and I spend five or six days a week together, so I relish the chance to be alone one day when I hike, and she gets to spend a day with her friends without feeling like she's ditching me. Anything that works is cool. That way when we do share a short hike like Big Four Ice Caves or Twin Falls State Park or some beach hike on Whidbey, it is special and memorable.

[-florida]

[Newt]

I think sharing interests is important but not everything. I would think that being interested in each other would be one of the more important, regardless if you both participate in activities together or not. NN

[JimK]

I differentiate between "interests" and "passions". I have many interests which are not that critrical. If a partner does not enjoy one, so be it. For me hiking goes far beyond simply being another interest. I spend so much time on the trails that if a partner did not share my passion we would not see that much of each other. Also, I think the fact that I get so much out of being on a mountain top or at a secluded lake that if a partner did not enjoy that then our overall views would be too dissimilar. I will always want to do solo trips. Getting away by myself is very important to me. However, I like company most of the time and having a partner to share my greatest passion is an ideal situation. Finding that person is sure not easy though. There are not that many women with a passion for the outdoors. There are also many other factors of equal importance. Finding a truly compatible person who loves to hike is the trick.

[Smokey]

I'm the male half of the relationship and I want to warn you all about the dangers of a one-interest relationship. Luckily my friend and I had more than one interest in common so when she blew out her knee and was out of hiking commission for more than a year, it wasn't a big deal. Then the other knee went two years later and the doc said no more long hikes ever. No problem. We both have a love of gardening although I like to plant things and she likes to dig them up. And while I can sit quietly in the yard and read a book she still enjoys digging up moles and eating goose poop. When she's tired, she'll come over so I can scratch her ears. When I really need to get away though I just lock her in the kennel. I always make sure to bring her a treat when I return though.

A picture of the subject of the post.