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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to think that FWB should...

59 replies

Larose123 · 07/08/2025 16:42

AIBU to think that FWB should not be exclusive? If you are exclusive with someone, thats called a relationship!

Hit me with your opinions, thanks!

(Only interested because I'm considering doing FWB again at age 50)

OP posts:
VintageMarket · 07/08/2025 17:19

I thought the whole point of FWB was that it was casual and occasional without all the admin, commitment and obligations that come with a relationship. If you start making commitment doesn't it become a relationship?

"Are you allowed to speak to other people while having an exclusive FWB?" WTF? In what kind of relationship aren't you allowed to speak to other people?

bumbaloo · 07/08/2025 17:18

Larose123 · 07/08/2025 17:05

@womanwithissues Yes I guess this has to be decided on a case by case basis depending on preference.
My own theory is that two people only need to be exclusive if they are in a commited relationship, if they're not on a relationship then why be exclusive?

Like say you are exclusive with FWB, if one FWB sleeps with someone else then does it count as cheating? Are you allowed to speak to other people while having an exclusive FWB? What if someone asks you out, do you say "no sorry I cant Im single but have FWB so not available"?

Edited

You can do whatever the two of you agree on. There is no FWB rule book.

Original poster
Larose123 · 07/08/2025 17:17

@Anchorage56 exactly!

OP posts:
heroinechic · 07/08/2025 17:16

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with being FWB and making it exclusive. It’s different from a committed relationship because you aren’t building anything/working towards anything.

I’m married but if I was to engage with a FWB I might rather it be sexually exclusive. Condoms don’t protect against herpes/genital warts so I’d rather not be sleeping with someone who is sleeping with an unlimited amount of other people.

Anchorage56 · 07/08/2025 17:12

For me FWB means not exclusive. You wouldnt have just one friend so why would you be expected to have one friend even with the extra bits!

Original poster
Larose123 · 07/08/2025 17:05

@womanwithissues Yes I guess this has to be decided on a case by case basis depending on preference.
My own theory is that two people only need to be exclusive if they are in a commited relationship, if they're not on a relationship then why be exclusive?

Like say you are exclusive with FWB, if one FWB sleeps with someone else then does it count as cheating? Are you allowed to speak to other people while having an exclusive FWB? What if someone asks you out, do you say "no sorry I cant Im single but have FWB so not available"?

OP posts:
Original poster
Larose123 · 07/08/2025 17:00

@Ablondiebutagoody surely they can just use protection though, for their own safety and FWBs?

OP posts:
Ablondiebutagoody · 07/08/2025 16:52

Anything goes. The two fwb's decide to define it however they want. Presumably some people prefer the exclusive fwb arrangement over shagging around for sexual health reasons.

womanwithissues · 07/08/2025 16:45

It can be whatever the two people involved want it to be. Exclusive or not exclusive. And FWB is a relationship - just not a romantic long term one. Just be really clear that you don't want or need exclusivity.