Very interesting, thanks.

“[F]olks new to poly ideas in general will sometimes trip over their own tongues while trying to decide whether to use the word “partner,” or “girlfriend,” or “friend,” or “fuck-buddy,” or whatever. When you introduce somebody, pick a word….”

That is so difficult, actually, because all words carry connotations. Me, I am happy with “partner” because it suggests a joint venture of some sort and with “lover” because it’s based in love, but a lot of people see these words quite differently.

” ”friend” is okay, but be ready for questions if you’re later seen to be doing what many mono-people would call “more than friends” ”

And then there is the fact that I have friends who are just very close friends whom I sometimes snuggle up with on a couch, in a cafe…

Matt in the Hat: for me, I don’t agree with the restriction on the term to relationships. I was in a lengthy monogamous relationship because I was committed to the relationship, but I was still poly: I couldn’t help falling for other people, I just didn’t act upon it.