If you're single, how many people have a relationship you are genuinely envious of?

Quite a few of my friends seem happy in their relationships. I might not want to be with their partners and they might not be totally equal but they do seem genuinely happy, which is great to watch. Unfortunately, I am not happy in my marriage so probably one of those relationships where people wonder why we are still together as mostly dont socialise together or do things together.

I’m single and do not know one other couple that I am jealous of. They all make me glad I am single tbh

My father and his third wife. They didn't have a great start to their relationship, but it made them all the stronger for it and even after 35 years they still very clearly adore each other. I think relationships like that are very rare.

Envious, none.

A few long term ones I admire, and some that make me thank my lucky stars I'm single ✝️.

No, I don't know of a single relationship I m jealous of, I think they are all co parenting/ tolerating each other.

Long term single here, have not desired any man for more than a couple of hours in a decade. Find them all a bit irritating after 6 or 7 hours in their company 😅.
I accept it's likely to be my issue.

I don't think I've ever been envious of people in happy relationships, it's a strange way of looking at it. I was happy that my friends were happy but they weren't the kind of relationship I wanted for myself. (At two ends of the spectrum - the first couple to get married in our group are all about the conventional domestic life, and they're still blissfully in love after 20 years. At the other, a poly couple I know are definitely living their best lives. Neither are for me!)

I would say most of my friends are happy in their relationships (including me, now). Maybe I'm lucky that in none of my social circles is it the norm to put up with a relationship that makes you miserable. Most of us went through that in our early 20s and learned the right lessons about compatibility from it.

Just the one, my ex in-laws.
But I don't think I'm cut out for another relationship. I'm happy as me. If I was lonely and desperate to be in another relationship I might look at any relationship as better than none.

I’m very smug about our relationship, I haven’t seen a single one where I’ve wished we were like that, and I can quickly see fault, surprised at what people tolerate.

I suspect some people look at us and think ‘I couldn’t do that’ though as DH has a job that takes him away for long periods (although not very frequently), not every relationship is built for that and I appreciate it wouldn’t work for everyone. But I am very fulfilled by our relationship.

I am a dumpy little thing and definitely not attractive to men anymore. Not that I ever really was. I do envy people in relationships because I miss having another person in my life to spend time with, go out for meals etc. I’ve been on my own now for a few years and I really don’t want to be. However as a fat, over 50 not very attractive woman I’m pretty invisible now so guess I need to come to terms with being on my own for the rest of my life.

I would say about 50% of couples I know have a good relationship and 50% not great.

Damn! Ok, I will then consider "Chubbylittlething" or maybe "Frumbychubbything"?

I’m terminally and very happily single. Twice divorced and in my sixties.

My closest group of friends I’ve known for over forty years, so whilst you never really know, I think I have a fair idea of their relationships.

There is only one that would work for me, although I was never confident enough to have done what they have to make it work so well. They are consistently and brutally honest with each other. Nothing is ever swept under the carpet. They are clearly as in love as when they first met and it’s lovely to see 😍.

My other friends are in relationships that appear to work for them, but I wouldn’t make the sacrifices they do (toxic in-laws, awful adult step children, alcoholism, stinginess, boring) So whilst I don’t envy them, I am happy if they’re happy!

I think a level of compromise is required that many people these days dont want to,and who can blame them? Been on here for 30 mins and one thread DH is going out for the day,a 15 year olds party ! leaving her with cleaning and prep.Another DH insulted Airport Staff, and was miffed that OP went ahead with the flight.Do you want to be married to either of these Charmers? My friend IRL cooks ,works and does painting as well ! My other friend is divorced due to DH drug habit. Theres a pattern .Old couples who have been married a long time probably find they cannot face life on their own

DH and I talk about this often, especially since having DC and being friends with other new parents. From speaking to friends/colleagues about their relationships and hearing how they speak about their partners, definitely not what either of us would want for ourselves. So many people seem to not particularly like their partner which just seems miserable. I can't imagine wasting my life with someone who wasn't genuinely my best friend and the person who's company I enjoyed the most. Our relationship isn't perfect but we have constant & open communication & always want the best for each other & our family. DH in particular works with a few men who moan about time off/holidays and having to spend time with their wives and seem genuinely delighted to be back at work. I'd be heartbroken if this was DH.

It's funny, I was thinking about this recently. I'm a single parent and there are only two couples I know who I genuinely think, yeah that might be nice. There are so many relationships where I feel awkward at their house because of arguments, one DH came home and said hello to us all but pointedly ignored my friend whenever she tried to talk to him...or partners who can't come anywhere because they act grumpy or make a scene...I have some friends who are now separating and all of them say they're so much happier. I think a nice relationship would be ideal but seems those are few and far between.

Couples who have each others backs always are the strongest couples I know .

This will sound smug so I apologise, but the only relationship I would envy is my own. Out of my close friend circle of about 12, none of them are very happy. Most are in unequal relationships , mostly being abused in some way by their husbands.
I am genuinely happy with my husband, we are a solid team and he adores me as I do him. If anything ever happened to him, I doubt I would find that again, I consider myself very lucky and my friends constantly tell me the same.

The fact you are actually coming off as slightly annoyed that people are voicing how mean it is to think about AND describe out loud someone you call a friend as a 'dumpy little thing' is honestly hilarious to me.
You are so obviously in the wrong, and yet still can't bring yourself to swallow your pride and say 'yeah that was a bit off, shouldn't have said it like that' - hilarious.

Brilliant move!! 😍

I’ve really sat and thought about this, and the answer is none.

I do not know of a single relationship in my friendship group that is completely equal or where both partners show the same amount of. respect each other. I have friends who I thought had the perfect marriage only for one of them to cheat or leave.

I have one, but that is not evidence of the health of their rationship but of the fact that she looks at him.witnh completely rose tinted glasses despite actions which would have enraged most people. I know some who complain a bit but who have, to my mind, much healthier happier relationships because they are more equal and based on reality

Why the need to be so condescending towards single people on a thread where the OP asks a question to specifically single people? Has it not occured to you that a lot of us people who are happy to be single are happy because we have been with men in the past that has treated us badly, perhaps in multiple relationships. I don't need to justify to you why I enjoy being single, why my life is fulfilling, but it's hurtful when you imply that it is in some disingenuous or that we are in denial.

And why would we not have people to laugh and cry with? I have two grown up kids that I am super close with along with a close-knit family and many close friends. Why would a man be the only person to fill that void?

So bloody true