Open Relationships

[The_Healer]

We've all heard of the open relationship.

The one where the people in it can also go around doing whatever they want with whoever else they decide looks particularly tempting on any particular day.

It can also be said for most people (guys at least) there is a moment when you are cursing your loyalties to your partner[footnote]Usually when face to face with someone you find particularly tempting on that particular day.[/footnote].

But does this situation exactly exist?
I for one don't know anyone who even claims to be in one of these no doubt magical arrangements.

Granted that the citizens of the Escapist aren't necessarily the most social and womanising bunch (myself included), has anyone encountered one of these "open" relationships?

 

[Bon_Clay]

I believe there are individuals out there who could pull it off. Probably not a lot, and even less that managed to find another individual who also can that they end up dating.

For most relationships there will be at least one person who isn't okay with open relationships or who will get jealous. I definitely wouldn't want one.

 

[Scars Unseen]

I had a couple of roommates who had that kind of arrangement. I also had a friend that was asking me to take care of his wife. Did not take him up on it.

 

[Paksenarrion]

I am involved in an open diet. It's where I can eat whatever I want, but I have an understanding with my body that it's to stay the same weight at all times. If it wants to lose a few pounds, that's fine, too.

 

[crudus]

I have been one of those "temptations" before. The open relationship worked out really well for me. I know a grand total of two couples in an open relationship. If that tells you how rare they actually are.

 

[LawlessSquirrel]

Me personally, no, and I wouldn't want one. I don't know anyone who's in one or wants to be either.

I'm sure these people exist, just no where I've seen outside of film and TV.

 

[Yureina]

Never, and I wouldn't want to be, to be honest. I'm a bit too possessive for that, or at least I'd want to have one person for myself, and to not share them with others.

 

[The_Healer]

I hate a couple of roommates who had that kind of arrangement. I also had a friend that was asking me to take care of his wife. Did not take him up on it.

"Take care" of his wife? If you are saying what I think you're saying you have a very strange friend... or a friend with a very ugly wife.

I have been one of those "temptations" before.

I find University really is very rich in temptations.

 

[Dratis]

I was in one at one point in time. But it was only because I wasn't willing to commit to either of the people I was with and ended up respecting them very little overall. I gave them love but it wasn't what I thought they deserved so I broke it off.

Both of them were faithful to me but I wasn't faithful to them. They could technically do things with each other if they wanted but they never did from my knowledge.

See these sort of things just say to me that you don't love the other person and respect them as a person. They are just someone to have around and be with, not an actual love. It just says to me that you can't devote yourself to one person but you just can't be alone. You all might as well just be friends with benefits and drop the whole act.

 

[crudus]

I hate a couple of roommates who had that kind of arrangement. I also had a friend that was asking me to take care of his wife. Did not take him up on it.

I have been in that boat. Except it wasn't "wife" as much as "fiance". He wasn't ready to have sex yet and she was in heat to say the least. He suggested to her that I step in as a surrogate(penis[footnote]sorry, I couldn't pass up on the chance to say that[/footnote]). That idea didn't fly with her, though she did think about it.

 

[Bara_no_Hime]

We've all heard of the open relationship.

Granted that the citizens of the Escapist aren't necessarily the most social and womanising bunch (myself included), has anyone encountered one of these "open" relationships?

**gasp** Someone who doesn't know about my slutty-ass marriage situation!

Although, technically I suppose we count as "swingers" rather than "open" since we generally play together (with other couples, or other singles, whatever).

That said, we do have an open component. Either of us can have sex with someone else with only one requirement.

A phone call.

So long as I keep my spouse informed, I can sleep with someone else if the situation arises.

I've made use of this twice (in seven years of marriage). My spouse has made use of it once. Generally, we have more fun in groups than playing solo. The option is there if we want it, though.

 

[Scars Unseen]

I hate a couple of roommates who had that kind of arrangement. I also had a friend that was asking me to take care of his wife. Did not take him up on it.

"Take care" of his wife? If you are saying what I think you're saying you have a very strange friend... or a friend with a very ugly wife.

He was a bit on the strange side. His wife wasn't ugly, but she wasn't a model either. Kind of the cute, slightly chubby sort. I just have a standing policy of not involving myself in other people's relationships, and that is about as involved as it gets.

 

[The_Healer]

A phone call.

I'm not even going to go into the rest of that stuff...

But how awkward would that phone call be!?

 

[Thaluikhain]

Everyone I knew in open relationships have given up on them and found someone to settle down with and/or ditched their partner.

 

[Radelaide]

I knew someone who was in one. His girlfriend would get pissed off if he would sleep around (even when he told her) but when she's slept around and he'd get annoyed (because she wouldn't tell him) she'd call him possessive and jealous.

It's an excuse to whore around for people who want to be "in a relationship", but who want to have the perks of being single. (IMO. In situations like from the quote below, then woo! It works, but I've generally seen it not work.)

**gasp** Someone who doesn't know about my slutty-ass marriage situation!

also, holy shit I lol'd so fucking hard at this.

 

[BonsaiK]

We've all heard of the open relationship.

The one where the people in it can also go around doing whatever they want with whoever else they decide looks particularly tempting on any particular day.

It can also be said for most people (guys at least) there is a moment when you are cursing your loyalties to your partner.

But does this situation exactly exist?
I for one don't know anyone who even claims to be in one of these no doubt magical arrangements.

Granted that the citizens of the Escapist aren't necessarily the most social and womanising bunch (myself included), has anyone encountered one of these "open" relationships?

I've been in them, and my current relationship started out as one.

The fact is that while these situations are quite common, very few open relationships are truly open - usually there are conditions attached.

 

[Bara_no_Hime]

I'm not even going to go into the rest of that stuff...
But how awkward would that phone call be!?

Um, not at all?

"Hey, honey, I'm over at Megan's - she wants to have sex."

"Okay, see you later. Have fun - remember to use protection."

Then again, keep in mind that I am like the least jealous person on the planet. About sex, anyway. Chocolate not so much.

 

[karl_eller]

I know I think one person who's been able to pull an open relationship off, but that's about it. I think it requires a certain personality that not many people have to be able to make it work, and both people must be honestly ok with it for it to work.

I know I wouldn't be able to. I'm far too possessive.