The Secret to a Happy Marriage: Irrational Optimism

Scientists at the University of Buffalo followed 222 newlyweds through their first three years of marriage and found that the spouses who idealized their partners were happier than those who went into their union with a more accurate impression. This means they saw their spouse as fitter, smarter, kinder or wittier than they really were. It reminds us of that Jerry Seinfeld routine where he describes how men, no matter how poorly they behave, end up with women anyway…and that women think, "no, not my guy." To which Seinfeld says…(watch the video below) Note: if you don't have time to watch the full 7 minutes, begin at the 4:30 mark.