# Living with yourself **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 11, 2011, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/living-with-yourself/602557 "2011-11-11T02:13:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2011, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/living-with-yourself/602557/21 "2011-11-11T17:33:47Z")
I actually had a twin who died soon after we were born, so she could probably just pick up that birth certificate and get on with life. She’d have the same devotion to Celtling that I do, so I’d finally ahve a reliable babysitter, and surely at first she’d need a place to stay, so she could take care of the house while I work, which would be golden. I’m betting eventually though she’d run off to be a blues singer or to a writer’s colony. That’s what I’d have done if I’d had the kind of safety net she’d have from me. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2011, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/living-with-yourself/602557/22 "2011-11-11T20:57:05Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#): > > This would pretty much be the best thing to ever happen to me! > > She would of course be my best friend in the entire universe, and I’m not even sure if I would need human interaction outside of her. Logistically, though, how does she live? Won’t she need to work? I mean, I suppose technically she can just use all my information, and on paper it would appear as though I were employed full-time at two places, but this could get confusing in the future, no? A future employer would run a background check on me and go, “So you employed full time at ABC Co and Joe Blow Inc at the same time?” “Um, yes?” > > Never mind the logistics – we’ll figure those out later. How do I make my exact copy happen right now? How do you know you’re not the copy? Both of you think you’re the original and there’s no way to tell. My twin and I would do rounds on the talk-show circuit, write a book, and get rich. There’s no way to support 2 of me on my current salary, and both me and my twin would think we’re exclusively entitled to work at our company on our salary. The only fair thing is for neither of us to have the job. ---
**Author:** ![randomface](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/5fc32e/32.png) [@randomface](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/randomface)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2011, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/living-with-yourself/602557/23 "2011-11-11T21:15:52Z")
One of us would have to get a different job. It would not be feasible to split the work week up for my job. Basically we would probably flip a coin and see who gets to keep the existing “life” (career, wife, car, etc.) and the other would probably stay there for a while until enough money was saved up to move on. Although I would probably scam insurance between the two of us to save on costs. It’s kinda sad, I wish someone could take over my life and let me start anew somewhere else without dodging out on my responsibilities. ---
**Author:** ![JustinC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justinc/32/8083_2.png) [@JustinC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustinC)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2011, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/living-with-yourself/602557/24 "2011-11-11T22:46:38Z")
We couldn’t split the DSLR or other electronic toys so would need to earn some cash quickly. The clothes would be split just fine, except we’d need more shoes. We’d contact advertising agencies, to see if they can come up with a campaign that requires identical twins that have both aged and lost hair/gained weight/broken teeth/are scarred identically. Maybe something involving ‘double’ or ‘duplicate’ or ‘dual’ in the tagline. If that didn’t make the $$$$ role in, find a job with lots of overtime needed that pays extra for that overtime. 40 hours at single pay and 40 at double pay would be nice. We could also simul-check-in on Facebook from different countries just for kicks. Eventually we’d most probably go our own ways but need to keep the same name because our qualifications are needed in our line of work. We’d need an extra copy of degrees, passport, post grad certificates etc. Not sure how our referees would react ! ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2011, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/living-with-yourself/602557/25 "2011-11-11T23:05:31Z")
> [@BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](#): > > Split up the work week? You’re gonna buy twice the food (and booze) on the same salary? Well, I’ve had no job having, high maintenece GFs that were a lot more expensive than another one of me would cost. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2011, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/living-with-yourself/602557/26 "2011-11-12T00:14:07Z")
Who sleeps in the bed?:)🙂 ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2011, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/living-with-yourself/602557/27 "2011-11-12T06:17:12Z")
My partner is going to be very, very happy, for so many reasons. But there are some practical problems, like: We can’t both be on Medicare, right? So one of us will not be getting lifesaving heart surgery or knee replacements. Bummer. ---
**Author:** ![Rala](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@Rala](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rala)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2011, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/living-with-yourself/602557/28 "2011-11-12T07:10:30Z")
Simultaneously shout “Stay away from my girl! And don’t touch my stuff!”. I have nothing against myself, but trying to share this life is just asking for trouble. We’re a possessive person. I guess the best plan is that one of us changes her name (I already have a name picked out, so neither of us would mind), moves across the country or overseas and dyes her hair. This doesn’t all have to be the same person - it would probably be fairest for the me who stays at home to be the one to change her name. Neither of us will want to give up nursing school, so one of us can specialise in paediatrics and one in emergency work. Once we’ve got our respective degrees in three years, we’ll each have established our own identity that we won’t be so paranoid about the other one trying to steal, and the two of us and our girlfriend can live happily together in a three way relationship. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2011, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/living-with-yourself/602557/29 "2011-11-12T07:47:09Z")
Maybe he’ll remember where the car keys are. ---
**Author:** ![Regallag\_The\_Axe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/regallag_the_axe/32/445_2.png) [@Regallag\_The\_Axe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Regallag_The_Axe)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2011, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/living-with-yourself/602557/30 "2011-11-12T15:33:14Z")
The outcome would heavily depend on the availability of alcohol. If I and I got up and the doctor handed me and me a beer, I’d probably be cool with me. We could get drunk and mess with people. I’d have to come up with a way to differentiate between me and myself, otherwise it would be confusing. Regallag Blood Axe and Regallag Iron Axe would work. If there was no booze available I would probably fight me. To the death. In a way, it would be the ultimate challenge. I’d be up against someone who knows all my weaknesses (nothing) and all my strengths (everything). It would be a dual for the skalds\* would sing of. Speaking of which, I can only imagine what would happen if we had two **Skald** s running about. \*note the lower case ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2011, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/living-with-yourself/602557/31 "2011-11-12T16:41:06Z")
I would feel pressure to kill my twin, immediately, to preclude my husband putting a gun to his head, when he hears about it!😃 ---
**Author:** ![BTEzra04](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9f8e36/32.png) [@BTEzra04](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BTEzra04)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2011, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/living-with-yourself/602557/32 "2011-11-12T18:58:37Z")
She could go to class. And deal with people when I don’t feel like it. And do my jobs in the summer and during school 😃 Except, I’d get bored out of my mind. And I’d probably get pissed if she stole the attention of the people I love and care about. ---
**Author:** ![treis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@treis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/treis)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2011, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/living-with-yourself/602557/33 "2011-11-12T19:15:27Z")
> [@Martian Bigfoot](#): > > One of us gets to bugger right the fuck off to South America and never show up around here again. Living with one of me is bad enough, but _two?_ I can’t even imagine the horror. > > We’ll do paper-rock-scissors to decide who has to emigrate. This brings up an interesting question. If you play rock paper scissors with yourself, wouldn’t you invariably throw the same thing every time? Could be a long game. ---
**Author:** ![Rysdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7cd45c/32.png) [@Rysdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysdad)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2011, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/living-with-yourself/602557/34 "2011-11-13T03:41:17Z")
Initially, this would be fun as hell, but the novelty of messing with people’s heads would wear off pretty quickly. Could one of us at least get a different Social Security number so working would be less of a hassle? ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2011, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/living-with-yourself/602557/35 "2011-11-13T03:49:15Z")
One of us will be dead by the end of the week. At _least_ one. Neither of us will be willing to give way to the other, and both of us will know that the other is not to be trusted. I’m not sure how we both get off the grounds of the hospital alive, as we both know the other is going for a weapon. ---
**Author:** ![Invisible\_Chimp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f05b48/32.png) [@Invisible\_Chimp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Invisible_Chimp)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2011, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/living-with-yourself/602557/36 "2011-11-13T04:43:19Z")
I’m reminded of the episode if _Buffy_ where Xander gets split in two. Each thinks the other is a demon who is impersonating him, but they’re both different parts of his personality. Anya wanted a threesome before they’re reunited. As for me, I fear murder-suicide. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2011, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/living-with-yourself/602557/37 "2011-11-13T14:07:09Z")
> [@rachelellogram](#): > > How do you know you’re not the copy? Both of you think you’re the original and there’s no way to tell. I dunno. The point is the logistics of employment might get a little tricky, and that logistics be damned, I want an exact copy of myself created right now! ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2011, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/living-with-yourself/602557/38 "2011-11-13T14:15:27Z")
> [@Mosier](#): > > I wonder what my wife would think. She’d probably complain to a co-worker about all the sex she’d have to have. Whoops, wrong thread… ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2011, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/living-with-yourself/602557/39 "2011-11-13T15:36:01Z")
> [@Rodgers01](#): > > I suspect that - at first, at least - living with myself would make me extremely self-conscious. I’d become horribly aware of all my little (and not so little) personality and physical flaws. It would be like cringing at hearing a recording of your voice, but a million times worse. > > Assuming I could get over that, it would be great! It would be fun to have someone with the same tastes, interests, hobbies. We could split living expenses, save money… Fun question to think about. Rodger’s answer would be closest to how I would feel. I think I would ask her to stay and live with us, but we would split my job and my chores. I would really need to build an addition to the house with an entertainment/work/bedroom. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2011, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/living-with-yourself/602557/40 "2011-11-13T16:48:54Z")
An identical twin splitting off at age 52 rather than birth minus nine months … I hope I’d like me. Yes, coin flip as to who is arbitrarily “the original” and who is “the copy” - one keeps the current job, name, wife, role as “dad” - one becomes a new name (I like “Nate”), looking for work, brother-in-law, uncle - and sticks to it. Now I love my wife and love my kids and love my job, but I also must admit that the fantasy of having no obligations and no responsibilities also appeals. Either of me could live with either side of that coin. The one labelled as “me” would of course help “my brother” out for a bit. But he is very employable, and a pretty adaptable person - he’ll do just fine. The me that assumes the copy identity would have a tough time not having the roles I have for a while, the roles that really define who I am, and be more than a bit scared about making a new start, especially at this age, but my obligations are covered and I can do things without worrying about them so much? I could live with that too. We’ll stay in touch though and compare notes on how we’ve changed or not. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/living-with-yourself/602557.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/living-with-yourself/602557.md?page=3)