Stay in a not so perfect relationship or go with a slim chance?

I'm dating a really amazing girl right now, but its long distance (as in, across the country.). I've only seen her in person once (for a week, though!). We have a lot in common intellectually, but our personalities are kind of polar opposites. She's very quiet and meek and, I'll be honest, she cries over almost everything. I'm a very combative person, and I'm strongly opinionated. I've found myself lately monitoring what I say/text to her so that I don't upset her, but doing that makes -me- unhappy. We click so well intellectually (most of the time), though, and I know she loves me very very much. But, to be honest, I'm a tactile person. I like to be able to physically be near my partner. I can't with her, and even when we were together, she wasn't as into casual touches (hugs, that kind of thing) as I was. She's also not very keen on anything sexual. I am. The problem I'm having is that I care about her and I don't want to hurt her, AND there's a guy here that, according to my sister and her husband, is practically in love with me. The guy and I have slept together a few times, just for fun (when I was single!) and it -was- fun. He's one of my best guy friends. My problem with him is that, while I'm certainly not looking for anyone to marry right now, I -am- looking for something at least sort of serious, and he's never given me a hint that's what he's interested in. With my girlfriend I have something serious--if not entirely pleasant for me. With him, I might have something pleasant, but not serious. I want to talk to him about it, or at least try to, but is that something I should do while dating her? She and I have been...not fighting, exactly, but I'll say something or she will, and then she'll cry, and I'll just sit back feeling like a horrible person. And nothing can be done about the distance, not for several years at least. I just...I don't know what to do. Normally I go to my sister and her hubby, but they really want to see me with this guy. (we're all mutual friends, minus my GF, who knows no one out here...) My gay bestie wants me to stay with her, since he doesn't know about our differences. I just...ANY advice would be appreciated. How do I approach this? Should I even be thinking about it? Should I suggest a "break", like my sister said to me today, and pursue him? Help?

Opposites may attract initially, but they don't make a relationship endure longterm. What starts out as cute differences can end up as major problems between you. And you can't know someone fully online, over a distance. It's more fantasy than fact. Go for the real face-to-face relationship every time.

I agree with the previous post. According to the APA opposites do attract, but it is the response to one another on a day to day basis that will make for a successful relationship. How do you respond when your partner cries? leave the toothpaste cap off the toothpaste? When one of you does not balance the check book If she is meek and mild and you are the opposite, it may not work. Personally I think it is a recipe for disaster.