Settle, I don't like that word when it's used to describe the person you've chosen to be your partner. It's like you're picking out their bad points, and measuring their worth with them.
I would suspect that boils down to who's doing the asking. I have no problem in answering questions from someone, if I feel that it's any of their business.
Yeah, that rarely happens in an instant, especially if you're having a poopy day when you run across that someone that could be an excellent partner.
Instead of looking at them when you're PO'd, and say "nah, pass", maybe have a better look and see what the good qualities are, and get to know them. They might not make your loins quiver at first sight, but maybe after a few rounds of tonsil hockey your socks will go up and down on their own.
Never know, unless you actually take the chance to find out.
I don't deny it's existence at all, on the contrary, and Jeepers pretty much got it in his post after your's.
I think that spark could happen between a lot more people, if they allowed it to, and were receptive to the possibility. So many have this "ideal" floating around in their head about how their partner should be, and close off innumerous chances because of it.
RE: permanent or temporary
I'll mail you an old workboot too.