Watching 'No Strings Attached'...does this kind of set-up ever lead to successful relationships?

[HoveringKestrel]

Its not the kind of setup I've ever had or would welcome, but does the theory ever work?

Not looking for details or anything, just does the concept potentially lead to true relationships in people's experience? Whether your own or people you know?

I know its obviously a film but its meant ro realistic, however exaggerated it is.

I'm watching this too. I did the actually fwb for a while thn I started actually going out with someone. We left it on good terms and that it was always open in the future. I wouldn't say we were really friends though. I didn't talk to him in the same way I talk to my friends, it was more superficial if that makes sense.

Part of me just wanted them (in the film) to be like...oh no we were right to be hesitant, Seeya! ... and the film end.

I just can't imagine it ever ending happily

I had a fwb (conveniently my upstairs neighbour!) and we managed to keep it in the bedroom and nowhere else for three years. We both dated other ppl intermittently, but just knew it was a casual thing. There wasn't any awkwardness when he told me he'd met someone he was serious about, and that ended it. He's no longer with her, and we haven't hooked up since, but we're still great friends!

Isn't the point that they don't lead to relationships?

The PP is right. If you want a 'true relationship' in the traditional sense of exclusivity, fidelity, hearts, flowers and rings on fingers then no strings is not the way to achieve it. In fact, if you go into a no strings arrangement dishonestly... saying you want casual but really wanting permanent.... then you are setting yourself up for a big fall. However, if you're genuinely satisfied with something less restrictive, are very independent and are properly relaxed about things like fidelity you can develop quite a strong friendship.

It does work, me and my dp did this basically saying to each other none of us were ready for a relationship as we had both been in horrible relationships that ended badly.

We met through his brother and sister in law that lived across the road from me at the time.

4 years later we are actually a proper couple with a 2 yr old little boy and a baby girl on the way :)

I always say now would have thought 4 years ago that we would still be together with children? Both answers from us are no but when spending more time with each other each time I suppose feelings started to progress. I now couldn't imagine my life without him. So yes it does actually happen.

DP and I started off FWB. On/off for two years actually. Both dated other people during the off periods but we remained friends.

I ended up dating a guy for a while, but cut contact with FWB man for 3 months to really try a relationship with new man.

FWB guy turned up on my doorstep to tell me he realized he loved me. I felt the same, I missed him so much.

FWB guy and I are planning our wedding next year.

It's not supposed to lead to a relationship, that's the point.

People who enter into an upfront NSA arrangement and hope it's going to lead to a more committed relationship are setting themselves up for problems.

I'm in a FWB situation right now. We were both clear to each other that it is what it is. If he asked to take things further then I probably would but I'm also happy with things the way the are.