How to avoid boring your significant other with physics?

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The discussion centers around the challenges of communication between individuals with differing academic backgrounds and interests, particularly in mathematics and political science. One participant shares their experience of frequently discussing math and physics, while their girlfriend, a Political Science major, expresses a strong aversion to math. The conversation highlights the importance of finding common ground in discussions, suggesting that couples should explore shared interests rather than strictly adhering to their own fields. Participants debate the merits of challenging each other's viewpoints, with some advocating for constructive debate as a means of growth, while others prefer to avoid conflict in favor of a harmonious relationship. The dialogue also touches on the significance of mutual respect and understanding in relationships, emphasizing that differing opinions can coexist without constant confrontation. Overall, the thread illustrates the complexities of navigating intellectual differences in romantic partnerships.
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So...

Turns out I talk about maths and physics a lot...

My girlfriend is a Political Science major, now working in Governmental Communications.
She's very much a "I can't do math and I WON'T do math" type of person.

Anybody got any funny stories relating to this subject?
 
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Learn to talk about politics. Make sure to confirm her views. People don't like to be challenged.
 
DrSuage said:
So...

Turns out I talk about maths and physics a lot...

My girlfriend is a Political Science major, now working in Governmental Communications.
She's very much a "I can't do math and I WON'T do math" type of person.

Anybody got any funny stories relating to this subject?

Find something you both like to talk about.
 
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DrSuage said:
So...

Turns out I talk about maths and physics a lot...

My girlfriend is a Political Science major, now working in Governmental Communications.
She's very much a "I can't do math and I WON'T do math" type of person.

Anybody got any funny stories relating to this subject?

With a girlfriend I had a few years ago, I was rationed to one maths question per day! And one quotation!
 
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Hornbein said:
Learn to talk about politics. Make sure to confirm her views. People don't like to be challenged.

That's some terrible relationship advice there. Firstly conforming to your partner's opinions is a great way to damage your relationship in the long run, not to mention being dishonest. Secondly challenging each other is a healthy and often rewarding experience, so long as you're having a constructive conversation.
 
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Ha she voted for the Conservatives in the last election, no chance of conforming to that from me!
 
DrSuage said:
Ha she voted for the Conservatives in the last election, no chance of conforming to that from me!

You mentioned she voted for the Conservatives in the last election -- your profile doesn't state where you are from, but I'm guessing you are from either Canada or the UK. (More likely from Canada, given that Canada has had their federal election more recently)
 
StatGuy2000 said:
You mentioned she voted for the Conservatives in the last election -- your profile doesn't state where you are from, but I'm guessing you are from either Canada or the UK. (More likely from Canada, given that Canada has had their federal election more recently)

He's from the UK
 
micromass said:
He's from the UK

Thanks for the clarification, micromass!
 
  • #10
Should have said Tories then!
 
  • #11
Find a common ground, politics is math. Politics is applied sociology, sociology is the the statistical behavior of human beings in groups. Or find some facet that she's very interested in. My wife also hates math, but loves stars. She'll let me talk about the physics of stars and all the different types as long as I want.
 
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  • #12
DrSuage said:
Should have said Tories then!

Canadians refer to the Conservative Party of Canada as Tories as well! After all, we were once a colony of yours! :D
 
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  • #13
Well strictly I'm Irish...but I live in London now.

I once tried to drunkenly compare my relationship to a Lie group...
I'd say that's a new low?
 
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  • #14
Talk about physics with other people instead?
 
  • #15
Hornbein said:
Learn to talk about politics. Make sure to confirm her views. People don't like to be challenged.

You're a hoot horbein :biggrin:
 
  • #16
If she has any interest in nature at all, maybe you can explain things to her in a very superficial way. Was it Einstein who said "If you can't explain it to a child, you don't understand it well enough"? (I'm sure I'm paraphrasing here).
 
  • #17
DrSuage said:
Well strictly I'm Irish...but I live in London now.

I once tried to drunkenly compare my relationship to a Lie group...
I'd say that's a new low?

Yes, that's definitely a new low! :biggrin:

Anyways, what is your girlfriend particularly interested in? Is she interested more generally in science (excluding math)? Besides math and physics, do you have any other interests that you can share? I'm sure there is something that the two of you can talk about that is interesting to the both of you.

As for me, I have a background in math and statistics, but I rarely if ever talk much about math or statistics with the women I've dating (including the woman I'm currently dating).
 
  • #18
I wouldn't know, my partner (who is not a scientist) is really interested in what I do. :cool:\smug.

But I have two bits of advice:

(1) Don't be boring. Before you say something think: "If I was doing outreach, or science communication, would I bring this up/go into this much detail?". I wouldn't, say, make a Lie group joke. Know thy audience.

(2) Find other mutual interests to talk about.
 
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  • #19
Hornbein said:
Learn to talk about politics. Make sure to confirm her views. People don't like to be challenged.

Way to be intellectually honest. I wouldn't have a significant other who was against challenging viewpoints--against challenging my viewpoint or me challenging hers.
 
  • #20
ComplexVar89 said:
Way to be intellectually honest. I wouldn't have a significant other who was against challenging viewpoints--against challenging my viewpoint or me challenging hers.

Challenging viewpoints is tiring. I prefer to avoid it in a relationship. Let's say I'm atheist or socialist and my partner was a devout christian or conservative. That relationship could definitely work. I will need to know her point of view and respect her point of view. But I don't need or want my point of view challenged by my partner every time. What I want in a partner is a safe haven to retreat to when things get rough. Somebody to accept your flaws and love you either way. I don't think that challenging viewpoints all the time is really the best thing in a relationship. As long as you respect each other, it's pretty irrelevant.
 
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  • #21
micromass said:
Challenging viewpoints is tiring. I prefer to avoid it in a relationship. Let's say I'm atheist or socialist and my partner was a devout christian or conservative. That relationship could definitely work. I will need to know her point of view and respect her point of view. But I don't need or want my point of view challenged by my partner every time. What I want in a partner is a safe haven to retreat to when things get rough. Somebody to accept your flaws and love you either way. I don't think that challenging viewpoints all the time is really the best thing in a relationship. As long as you respect each other, it's pretty irrelevant.

Well, I really wasn't advocating challenging viewpoints all the time. I just meant being willing to challenge said viewpoints. Most people I know really aren't. I'm a staunch atheist and my last SO was a Muslim. We had many interesting conversations on a variety of subjects, but we didn't beat each other over the head concerning our differences of opinion...

And now I'm missing her. :cry:
 
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