10 Basic Things You Must Know About Your Partner

So you've been dating for a while. The selfies look cute, the chemistry is fire, and your food orders are perfectly synchronized. But — and it’s a big but — how well do you really know your partner?

Before you sign a lease together, adopt a pet, or accidentally find out they eat ketchup with curd rice (yes, people like this exist), here are 10 basic — yet revealing — things you must know about your significant other.

1. What’s Their Conflict Style?

Do they sulk like a toddler, snap like a reality show contestant, or go into ‘HR email’ mode?Why it matters: Relationships aren’t all memes and mocha. You will fight — it’s not if, it’s when. Knowing how they handle conflict can save you from dramatic exits and ghosting over gulab jamuns.

2. How Do They Handle Money?

Are they a “treat today, cry tomorrow” spender or an Excel-sheet-loving budgeteer?Why it matters: Money issues are one of the top reasons couples break up. If you’re saving for a home and they’re buying NFTs named after their dog, that's a red flag shaped like a credit card.

3. What’s Their Love Language?

Words of affirmation? Acts of service? Memes?Why it matters: If you keep buying them gifts but all they want is a 20-minute deep conversation, you’re going to feel like you're loving loudly and being heard in whispers.

4. How Do They Deal With Stress?

Stress reveals more than a 2 a.m. truth-or-dare game.Why it matters: Do they shut down, lash out, or channel stress into cleaning the entire kitchen? Their stress behavior today might be your daily reality tomorrow.

5. How Do They Treat Waiters, Drivers, and Pets?

Watch them. No seriously, watch.Why it matters: If they’re rude to service staff but sweet to you — your turn is coming.

6. What’s Their Relationship With Their Family?

Not just “I love my mom,” but how they actually interact with them.Why it matters: Family dynamics often leak into your relationship — like it or not. Understanding their upbringing can explain a lot about their values, fears, and Sunday rituals.

7. Are They Emotionally Available or Just a Vibe Curator?

Do they open up or always deflect with "lol same"?Why it matters: You’re not dating a wall. Emotional availability is not optional — it’s foundational.

8. What’s Their Cleanliness Scale From 1 to Monica Geller?

Because someday you’ll fight over a wet towel on the bed.Why it matters: It’s the little things that become big things. Like whose turn it is to clean the fridge... or define what “clean” even means.

9. Are They Settlers or Wanderers?

Do they want to settle in one city, or plan to backpack through life (and expect you to come along)?Why it matters: Lifestyle goals must match, or at least align slightly — unless you want to be dragged through airports while you dream of mortgages.

10. Can You Actually Rely on Them?

If you text, “Hey, I lost my job,” what’s their first reply:A) “I’m here for you.”B) “You’ll find better.”C) “K.”Why it matters: Life throws curveballs. You want a partner who can catch, not duck.

The Relationship Readiness Mini-Test

Answer these 5 YES/NO questions. Both of you.

1. Do you know each other’s top 3 dealbreakers?

2. Have you talked about money, family, and future plans?

3. Can you sit in silence comfortably for 10 minutes?

4. Have you fought — and resolved it — without one person shutting down or running away?

5. Do you feel like your weirdest self around them — and they still like you?

Score:

• 4–5 YES: You’re emotionally aligned. The sofa dream is safe.

• 2–3 YES: Some red flags, but nothing a real talk can’t fix.

• 0–1 YES: They might just be your situationship playlist person.

Final Thoughts

It’s tempting to rush into things when the vibes are right and the Instagram pics slap. But the real magic? It’s in the basics. Know the person behind the aesthetic. Ask the hard, funny, awkward questions. Be curious — not just about where they want to eat, but who they are when the filter's off.

Because a solid relationship isn’t built on sparks — it’s built on understanding, consistency, and deep, mutual respect.

So before you buy matching bedsheets, make sure you know what makes each other tick (and ticked off).