Friends of the opposite aex.

[ByLovingMintZebra]

Hello everyone. I am new here, a male as a matter of fact. I have more female friends that I have male friends. Some.i have known for years some.more recently. How would your partner react to you having friends of the opposite sex, ones that you open up to about everything and anything? .

how old are you?

I am 67 yo

no my husband would not be happy at all . we have been together for 20 years . at the start he had a girl who was always wanting to meet up and basically get in the way .i broke it off , he wanted to know why so i told him i wasnt playing second fiddle . i dont really have any male friends , most always want more in my situation. it suits us this way , not for everyone . but we prioritise each other .no opposite sex friends that arent mutual and no personal messaging . works for us - not for everyone . if your happy thats whats important

Yes I should imagine your partner isn't happy.

She doesn’t mind in the slightest. I always invite her along if she is free.

My husband's 'would help each other bury a body, have been there for each other through the absolute worst, know everything about each other' best friend is a woman, and it's never bothered me. I don't think men and women aren't capable of being just friends. Having said that, I can tell the difference between a very close friend and trying to justify something more. If I spotted the latter I'd not be happy.

If opening up includes discussion of any issues going on in your relationship, that is crossing a line. Plus, if you open up more to your friend than your partner, you're probably with the wrong person. Otherwise, it could be fine.

friends of the opposite sex, ones that you open up to about everything and anything

Doors and windows.

I wouldn't have a problem with my partner having friends of the opposite sex. I would if there was more openness between them about our shared relationship/issues than there was between us. There should ideally be more communication between a couple about their lives than between one half of the couple and outsiders. In reality, I think it's natural sometimes to want opinions from people who "get" you like same sex friends or your mum/dad. But sharing relationship issues with an opposite sex friend who isn't a family member is asking for trouble IMO. Likewise, if you were talking more about you personal (not relationship) problems to other female friends while shutting your partner out.

my boyfriend doesn't care about me having male friends, just as i don't care about him having female friends. however, we're not okay with each other having friends of the opposite sex, or even the same sex, if we hide them from each other

I have long term male friends and my husband has long term female friends.
It doesn't bother either of us.
I personally think that not having friends you discuss things with leaves you open to abuse.
If I wouldn't want my behaviour to be discussed.. well then I wouldn't act like shit.
I don't geberally do things I couldn't defend and/or explain. And if I occasionally do.. I take responsibility for them.
So I don't have any problem with my husband discussing our relationship with any of his friends regardless of gender.
I do consider my husband to be my best and closest friend tho and I think that works from his side too.
I trust him. I also would expect him to know if boundaries were being crossed in a friendship or not. Just as I would know. There's a big difference between close friendship and an emotional affair imo.
I would withdraw from any friendship if I felt there were romantic feelings there from either side and I'd expect him to do the same.