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Original poster

Boyfriend/Girlfriend/Partner

37 replies

FirmButFairMum · 09/03/2022 22:51

Reading another post today where a couple had been together since September and were not living together.

They referred to their ‘other half’ as their partner. I would’ve thought if you’re not living together they would be referred to as your boyfriend/girlfriend rather than partner.

I realise it’s just a word and a couple can call each other what they choose but when do you think a boyfriend/girlfriend becomes your partner?

OP posts:
Hiddenvoice · 10/03/2022 15:26

I started calling my (now husband) boyfriend my partner when I settled into full time career. I worked with a variety of ages but I was the youngest. I for some weird reason felt weird calling him my boyfriend so referred to him as my partner as we lived together and had been together for 7years.

Original poster
FirmButFairMum · 10/03/2022 15:58

@Shuffleuplove

I like Beau too. And suitor.
@Shuffleuplove what about lover Grin
OP posts:
CheddarTheDog · 10/03/2022 19:03

Lover is exactly what the guy I’m with says when it’s necessary to have a defining word. It’s utterly absurd but he’s always like what ‘should I say then’ - together, darling, just say we’re together. I shut down girlfriend on the account of always hating the word (no judgement, it feels wrong on me, especially now I’m no longer a teenager) and the fact my absolute hasn’t come through yet.

OrangeIsTheNewRed · 10/03/2022 22:28

DP and I can't live together yet for logistical/geographical reasons. I'm too old for boyfriends. He's my bloke.

Chasingsquirrels · 10/03/2022 22:35

Mine is "the bloke I'm currently seeing"

Allelbowsandtoes · 11/03/2022 09:24

@Shuffleuplove

I like Gentleman Caller. Grin
Fancy man Wink
Sunnytwobridges · 11/03/2022 18:54

I used boyfriend through my 40s even when we were together for years. Now that I'm 50 I'm not sure what I would say. Prob "the guy I'm seeing" LOL I never thought I would get to 50 and have to be worried about such a thing. So sad lol

leotardrock · 11/03/2022 21:58

I think it's the age that can make it feel wrong! I almost had to get married because I was 45, he was 49, boyfriend wasn't right & partner seemed a bit knobby!

Yet when I was younger I lived with someone for 14 years , we owned a house together, I still called him my boyfriend!
,

Fuzzyhippo · 13/03/2022 18:09

Been together 5 years, we share nothing, don't even live together but I refer him as my partner. Feels a bit silly referring to him as a boyfriend after all these years! Although I have family members who call him my 'friend'..

gogohm · 13/03/2022 18:14

Bit long in the tooth for boy/girl here. I used partner as soon as we felt committed which was very quickly. We were living together within 5 months

Walkingalot · 13/03/2022 18:16

I think if you've had the talk and are committed to each other, then 'partner' is fine. If you are living together then defo 'partner'. I hate the term boyfriend though. It sounds so immature, so I can see why some people avoid it.

Zeebs27 · 13/03/2022 20:06

My partner and I have only been together for a year, I just feel too old to be calling him my boyfriend

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