My partner had parents that used therapy as a boogie man to get her to behave or it was for people that had something wrong with them (and you don't have something wrong with you, right?). That made it real hard to bring it up as something that might be of use. I don't doubt many people have similar experiences that make them adverse to seeking therapy, which is too bad because those are going to be people that could benefit greatly from it.

The older I get the more absurd it sounds to me whenever anyone tells me "keep social/romantic life and politics separate!"

No. Politics relate to our fundamental values. In addition they relate to our control of the environment. There's almost nothing better to talk about than politics

You dont build a relationship on the kind of pizza toppings you like

Right? They're going to experience the full force of your personality sooner or later. Why not discover any incompatibilities early?