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You say she frowns upon cheating, has she ever done anything to raise any doubts in you?
No, and when we've talked before (about relationships in general, not specific issues or us), she has come across as really looking down to that kind of thing, and would also be really hurt if cheated on. It's not the
possibility of her
cheating that i'm concerned about, but what Ryan said about building more rapport increasing the prospect, not to mention the fact of the simple emotional/attention investment imbalance -- it just bugs me.
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I don't know about other guys, but when I'm in a LTR, these social events are just social events, I socialize during them and I don't cling onto my GF, she socializes too and we're not together all the time, in fact we spend together very little time. Our alone time is when we are together. I don't see it as a big deal, but that's just me
I agree with you that these social events are just social events, and I really just enjoy myself there, while she can do whatever she wants (in that cases that I specifically bring her there to something where she's not familiar with everyone else, I won't just simply abandon and ignore her). Quite frankly, I don't care about who she wants to hang out with/do in her spare time, only it's the issue of
When we're together = we're together. Of course at social events where it's the norm to socialize with everyone, but what I believed I saw was a bit of an imbalance. It's true that if it's a barbecue where she knows most people, we're probably not going to be stuck to each other 80% of the time. Maybe only 25% of the time, and she hangs out with whoever else for 20%, 15%, etc. of the other time (which I'd completely have no problem with). However, I personally found it strange - and it really bugged me - that she'd be spending 40% of the time with the other guy (and even calling to him when we were together), while she was with me maybe 25% of the time, and the rest divided among whoever.
So this goes back to my original concern that why would she spend more time with him especially, even though I'm there -- it wasn't a simple issue of her simply talking to everyone, but specifically one person.
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By telling her to not speak to the guy, you only make her want to do it more, and you come off looking overprotective and controlling.
By allowing her to, you allow the possibility of them establishing more rapport, which might lead to something in the future.
THIS is exactly my concern. And the fact that i'm going away for a trip at the end of the summer doesnt help. Not to mention, it frankly just bugs me when she goes out of her way to call to him especially when we're together (multiple times too).
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In general, it's important to be confident enough in yourself to know that regardless of anything, she'll always want to come back to you.
I agree exactly. It's not the fear of her cheating that concerns me, but the fact that she's almost going out of her way to socialize with that specific guy -- which I think is very atypical. In the private time we spend together, I don't see any warning signs or red flags; it's only this issue that
really bugs me and is fucking with my inner game. And i know that as soon as I let myself become possessive/insecure, i'm fucked.
So I suppose the question I'm asking is how to address the issue of her actively trying to socialize more with that guy specifically. And also, what I can do to not let this get to me and fuck up my inner game (because I'm starting to think thoughts such as downgrading it to an open, whilst before I've never much given thought to that).
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The open thing is something I've been doing a while now. It does contain its own jealousy and insecurity issues, but because they're integral to the whole system, you actually work through them and can become a lot less needy, jealous and reactive because of it. HOWEVER, I think talking about moving from monogamy to open is very difficult, because it will almost always feel to the other partner like a rejection, like you're basically saying you're not that into them any more and want to see other girls. If you're comfortable with it, it's best to START the relationship as open first, and then if monogamy is something you both want later on, then have that conversation.
I frankly really don't want to be the one to pull the trigger (yet) and downgrade our 6 month exclusive relationship to an open relationship. The fact that she looks down upon polygamy is going to make the blow of perceived "rejection" even stronger. But I want to sort of frame it as a warning of "If that's what you really want (because of what I'm seeing from you), so be it". Yet, I definitely do not want to come across as being insecure and giving ultimatums/threats of breaking up -- I want to frame it as if her actions are what's prompting me to offer her this option: In fact they indirectly are, since they've been fucking with my emotions and creating insecurity which all have made me consider now the possiblity of an open relationship.
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I would go a step further and say that you need to draw back away from her.
Not freezeouts and that sort of thing.
If I am with a girl who is actively giving THAT MUCH attention to another guy(s), then I'm going to be the one to initiate the following discussion:
"You know, I really like you, and we have a lot of fun. But I think things may be getting too serious a little too fast. For the sake of everybody involved, let's keep our options open. Life's too short to be so serious."
Then drop the subject. No discussion, no further explanation, no answering questions, no further expounding, nothing. That's it.
When she asks "What is that supposed to mean?"
You reply with "Exactly what I said." and, again, drop the subject.
Basically, by doing this, you are showing her several things:
1. You are not controlling.
2. You are not afraid to lose her.
3. You know what she is up to.
4. You won't put up with it.
5. You can play the same game.
6. You are in control of your emotions.
7. You are not deeply affected by her stupidity.
8. You are alpha.
Hard to argue with that list.
Hmm.. I understand what you're trying to say Mack, and I do agree, but again, we're in an emotionally invested 6 month relationship and I don't want to come across as being
that harsh/standoffish -- almost bitter passive-aggressive. I like what you've said, and I'll keep it in mind: That quote will definitely be used if she crosses over the line of her specifically making plans to see him.
So I'm looking for an in-between of simple freeze outs. Perhaps I'm not doing them well enough/long enough to make it clear that it's HER actions that are making me withdraw -- I'm wondering if I should directly tell her that it's Her actions that are making me feel "disappointed" or "turned off" -- not "bitter" or "passive-aggressive" from her behavior. There's a fine line between the two, and I'm asking for your advice on how to walk the line. Would it be a good idea to directly tell her my sentiments? Because this issue is seriously fucking with my emotions and inner game.