[graycat]

Sex? Add in commitment, caring, affection, intimacy, romance, joining of lives, a good version of passion, a collection of memories, activities, traditions really like, don't want to lose, can't get anywhere else, and, thus, cause 'lock in', vows, supportive families, children ("most rewarding thing we did"), etc. One night stands are not very good on passion; it takes a while for a caring, loving couple to be good with each other with passion. One night stands are at best just mutual friction, and a simple electrical appliance can replace that.

She has two legs. He has two legs. If she breaks a leg, then she is down to one leg to help her broken leg get well. But joined with him with good vows, commitment, etc. they have four legs with three good legs to help her broken leg get well. Can rattle off 10,000 such cases faster than can say them.

People don't want to be alone. Being alone is scary. Nearly all baby mammals know this. Being joined to someone is much more secure.

[nkhodyunya]

This probably must sound reasonable, at least for a guy who was taught this things during his whole life. But as for me, any relationships I can imagine with a human being is a painful nightmare. I don't really know if I enjoy loneliness or not, but at least I don't find it painful at all.

[Crake]

I think I can sort of relate.