Helen Fisher, PhD

Travel

I can’t think of a better place to meet the love of your life than in an airport.  You already have something important in common: you both like to explore.  You generally have a couple hours to get to know one another too, as well as something interesting (and self-revealing) to talk about: your destinations.  Moreover, the sparks may fly–because novelty triggers the dopamine system in the brain, heightening one’s susceptibility to romance.  And there are real perks to traveling with a partner.  Together you can resolve travel glitches; your mate may contribute some unanticipated adventures too. Most important: traveling is fun.  And as the great poet, Robert Frost, summed it up: “A joy must be shared.”