whats your thought on open relationship? if both living in different states

all 42 comments

sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] 1 point 40 minutes ago

I might consider either an open relationship or a long distance relationship, but the problem in both cases would be I'd worry more about it falling apart and being replaced, both of those at once seems like a lot.

  • source
  • It can never be as deep as a monogamous one (ceiling, not floor) and idk anyone IRL who would be okay with it in earnest (and not just saying they are not to lose the person thinking about opening it, or access to their resources), so idk. I would say I'm cautious about them, particularly how healthy they can be.

  • source
  • [–] 2 points 4 hours ago

    I don't see being able to handle it. I find the sex hormones are kinda linked to the jelously hormones. I really can't handle someone I am with being with someone else. Of course my hormones are assholes so it would likely be no problem with a bunch of people where exclusively with me. thats why the harem fantasy is so big.

  • source
  • [–] 5 points 5 hours ago

    So ive been in open poly relationships before and am very sex positive. The problem is several fold and it mostly comes down to education of everyone involved and comfort of all parties.

    1. There needs to be solid trust and communication between all members. If you dont have this it will fail. This is why going open will never fix a broken relationship.
    2. Some people arent able to let go of the jealous feeling of their partner being with someone else and thats ok it just means being poly / open isnt for them.
    3. Everyone has to be ok with the arrangement before it happens. None of this "I get to kiss/fuck whoever I want but you dont" stuff.
    4. The reason you want to be open matters. Do you just find it exciting? Does your partner? Are you long distance and so want to keep your options open? Does the partner know that? Are you into a kink your partner isnt into and they are ok with you experimenting? Are you in love with multiple people and want them all and they are also cool with that? Giant cuddle puddle sounds great? It all comes down to trust again. It can NEVER be because you're trying to compensate for something your partner lacks without the consent of the partner

    If there are any hard feelings in the relationship they will be compounded. So make sure the relationship is solid first.

    Also being open doesnt automatically mean each person can do whatever they want. Talk yo your partner about partners you want to being in. Talk to the new people about your current partner. Make sure everyone is kosher about what's happening (and also make sure everyone is regularly getting tested for STDs)

  • source
  • [–] 3 points 5 hours ago

    I'm polyamorous myself, I think it's just important to clearly establish rules about it with the people you are dating. Personally, my only rule is that anyone already in the relationship needs to agree when adding a new person. If someone says no, then it's no

  • source
  • [–] 1 point 4 hours ago* (last edited 1 hour ago)

    if both living in different states

    Key context right there.

    Either you stay deliberately ignorant about what happens when you're apart, or you're going to feel the same as you would about it normally.

  • source
  • [–] 2 points 5 hours ago

    Open relationships may work, if you're both comfortable knowing the other sleeps with other people. But living in different states? That sounds more like fuck buddies than a relationship to me.

  • source
  • [–] 26 points 10 hours ago

    As long as both are consenting adults, whatever I think doesn't matter.

  • source
  • [–] 2 points 5 hours ago

    My thought is "Why?".

    I fell like you need to people who are radically honest with others and I don't understand why the long distance relationship is being maintained.

  • source
  • [–] 5 points 7 hours ago

    I think why you are choosing to do it matters. I think open relationships can be successful, but like are you doing it to keep a relationship on the rocks going? Or are you both legitimately capable of polyamory and able to be available to each other and your other partners in a way that doesn't feel demeaning to anyone involved?

  • source
  • [–] 9 points 9 hours ago

    It seems like an exhaustingly complex set of boundaries to keep and tends to create winners and losers out of third parties if the boundaries are rigidly followed in most cases. I think being that secure is somewhat admirable, but it also seems like a devastating fall to make if things don't work out. Different folks have different ways of doing things, I think it's fine, just not for me personally and I definitely wouldn't want to be the 3rd party to it either.

  • source
  • [–] 4 points 7 hours ago

    If it works, it works.
    Considering that people often hookup just for sex, I don't see why it couldn't work in this case.

  • source
  • [–] 4 points 7 hours ago

    I haven't been able to subdue/erase/accept the emotion of jealousy, which sort of makes me unable to enjoy the wonders of it, but I wish I could. 😭

    With that said, I am a relationship anarchist. 😊 I don't believe in distinctions and labels. There is only what you and I have, period. Regardless of whether it's sexual, romantic, platonic or whatever.

  • source
  • [–] 11 points 10 hours ago (12 children)

    i try not too much concern myself with other peoples relationships

  • source
  • hideshow 12 child comments
  • [+] -8 points 10 hours ago (11 children)
  • [–] 16 points 9 hours ago (9 children)

    Why not? OP asked what people think. The response is valid.

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 9 child comments
  • [+] -8 points 9 hours ago* (8 children)

    It's a non answer that just serves to pat themselves on the back for being "good". The question is also about the concept of open relationships. You can talk about that concept without viewing it through the lense of other people's business. It's a frustrating thing I see regularly in comments on posts like this. The idea you have to comment just to let everyone know you don't have an opinion because you're too moral.

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 8 child comments
  • [–] 7 points 9 hours ago (7 children)

    Did you just comment to whine about someone else's comment to show off how much better you are by (incorrectly) saying their view wasn't meaningful enough?

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 7 child comments
  • [–] 3 points 9 hours ago (3 children)

    No, no OP has a point. That poster's comment was inane, and you are only looking stupid by defending that as a good post

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 3 child comments
  • [–] 2 points 9 hours ago (2 children)

    The issue is people not having a stake in something and still believing they are entitled to speak

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 2 child comments
  • [–] -4 points 8 hours ago (2 children)

    Their view added nothing. It served only to show that they don't have an opinion. So again, why comment if you're not willing to have an opinion. Its just moral posturing, its annoying and cringy.

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 2 child comments
  • [–] -1 points 7 hours ago (1 child)

    what's your thought on homosexual relationship?

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 1 child comment
  • [–] 1 point 6 hours ago* (last edited 6 hours ago)

    I would place them in the same category as monogamous heterosexual relationships. I think creating a delineation between heterosexual relationships and homosexual ones like your doing is a strange way to make a point. I also lived with a lesbian couple for a few years when I was younger. In my personal anecdotal experience, I like hanging out with lesbian couples more than gay male couples, but about as much as heterosexual couples. Granted, that's my personal lived experience. I wouldn't assume I'd get along better with either on average though. Mostly just the people I knew. Weird to create that divide considering an open relationship is in no way equivalent to a gay one. In fact, some open relationships are gay.

  • source
  • parent
  • [–] 11 points 10 hours ago (1 child)

    waste of time.

    way too many people pursue the wrong people and do stuff like open relationships as a cope.

  • source
  • hideshow 1 child comment
  • [–] 8 points 10 hours ago (2 children)
  • [–] 2 points 7 hours ago (1 child)

    Yep, do open poly if you want, but this arrangement here just seems like "I want permission to cheat" more than "I want an open relationship". Sounds like they found someone else and don't have the stones to break up.

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 1 child comment
  • [–] 2 points 6 hours ago*

    Yeah but anyone who sees sex in an open relationship as cheating, probably was never actually in an open relationship.

    Its like saying going outside is just permission to leave the windows open - like there are no windows outside, and if you're finding walls windows supported by ceilings, there's a good chance youre still inside.

  • source
  • parent
  • [–] 3 points 8 hours ago

    I'm newly poly and my wife and girlfriend both live in town, but it's really fulfilling for all of us

  • source
  • [–] 0 points 4 hours ago* (1 child)

    Open relationships are objectively bad for healthy mature people who prize a connection and long-term loving relationship.

    However, they are a lot easier for people who prefer to not go deep, who don't want to work on themselves, and who want to imagine they're doing something extra "enlightened" or detached. It's basically something you do out of ego and self-convenience, which is the antithesis of love.

    If you're serious about this life, find one person and go deep with them. Experience the desperation of not always getting what you want, not always being able to have your needs met, not just being able to go to a different person when it gets hard or when you feel deprived.

    Like Jung says nobody grows until they reach a problem they can't solve. Real love relationships are like that; you are eventually tasked with not just loving your own preferences mirrored in another person, which is pure selfishness, but learning to love beyond your own preferences, loving beyond getting what you want; loving just to love. This is the only way a person can learn unconditional love, even children cannot teach you that because since they are "yours" the condition is always there that they an extension of your own genes. And loving yourself is easy.

  • source
  • hideshow 1 child comment
  • [–] 3 points 9 hours ago

    If you're living in different states and are in an open relationship then you're not in a relationship that needs a qualifier. I mean, to each their own, but trying to navigate social norms while going against social norms is just ironic.

  • source
  • [–] 4 points 10 hours ago* (last edited 8 hours ago)

    Completely depends on long term goals. Is it something you're looking to try?

  • source
  • [–] 3 points 9 hours ago (2 children)

    if both living in different states

    Is it even a "relationship" then?

    On what terms? Do they have plans for life? Together?? Why is one of them asking for "open" (whatever that means in this case)?

    IMHO It might well be that the one has already given up the other, but the other doesn't admit reality...

  • source
  • hideshow 2 child comments
  • [–] 2 points 9 hours ago

    I would not rule it out, but if I were to guess it's not something for me.

  • source
  • [–] -4 points 9 hours ago (1 child)

    Well, one advantage is you can't get cheated on.

  • source
  • hideshow 1 child comment
  • [–] 2 points 8 hours ago*

    Sure can't cheat in the traditional sense.

    If someones open relation has set boundries (ie don't fool around with co-workers) and those boundries are crossed it's the same dynamics as cheating (soreone did somethingsthey weren't supposed to.

  • source
  • parent