I have a fluorescent over head fixture that doesn't work properly. It takes a long long time to start (like 10 minutes, sometimes). However if I fiddle with the lamps it will start up, and if I have it on for a while, I can turn it off and immediately back on. I don't know if the fixture is bad or if I have the wrong kind of lamps.I noticed it has stamped on the fixture " for rapid start lamps only". Could this be my problem? The lamps that are in it now (they were there when I bought the house recently) do not SAY rapid start. Also is it possible that they should be the skinny style lamps vs the wide style?

More than likely the bulbs are the wrong type.

Check the T8 and T12 value, and the lamp wattage of both ballast and lamp to be sure both match.

As long as the socket fits the lamp pins, the rapid start is covered.

Fluorescent fixtures/lamps need a good equipment ground for starting purposes, so be sure to check the grounding.