How important are labels within relationships?

[mildlyinsulting]

Do people think it matters if someone is a 'girlfriend/boyfriend' etc once you're an adult?

I don't get his problem.. If you're seeing someone and not seeing other people.. You're exclusive aka, Boyf n girlf! Although the length of his previous relationship means he prob isn't scared of commitment.. Just guarded.

I think u should back right off op, just to protect yourself. Be busy and fulfilled with other things as well as him so if he decides he doesn't want a relationship, you will still have been making yourself happy.

I work full time and have a nearly 3 year old so not owner of a great social life I'm afraid! I do know what you mean though, I am happy in general, he isn't the reason for my existence, he does make it an awful lot nicer though!

Am going to end it today. Are you allowed to cry when it's technically not a break up?!

of course. Here for hand holding - sounds really hard for you [busad]

Poor you, mildly. How are you doing? How did it go?

You are indeed allowed to cry, rant to your friends (and on here of course ), drink too much wine and feel miserable for a bit. It's a very real pain, whether the other person was as invested or not.

Um, just seen on another thread that you've found the support you've got on this thread 'man-hating' Perhaps you just didn't hear what you wanted to hear?

I just think that people should treat each other fairly and with honesty in relationships, whatever the gender. Which includes being clear about levels of commitment.

Good luck.

Hi lemon, I didn't mean on this thread-I am pleased people have taken the time to give their opinions-at no point did I mention that it was on this thread that I found posts as man hating, I posted a link to this thread as I was interested to know how a man would view it. Sorry if you thought I was dismissing the advice given on here.

With regards to ending things, after a looooong long talk I have decided to back away. If he gets in touch once he has made a decision it will be down to me to work out if he means it, if not, I shall take my time getting past loving him.

Ah right. Was just the juxtaposition I guess - a link to this thread asking for a male perspective, directly followed by saying you dislike the man-hating on MN - did seem that way! But I stand corrected.

Well done on the long talk and tough decision. Never easy. I think you're being far too rather generous giving him extra time to mull over just how into you he is or isn't, though. But sometimes painful things need to be done in stages, I understand.

Thanks for updating.