Joining the swinger world, especially here in the UK where the lifestyle is flourishing, can be an exhilarating journey brimming with new experiences and connections. However, as with any type of relationship, it is essential to approach it with a degree of caution.
Recognising potential red flags in swinger partners can help ensure that your journey remains enjoyable and, most importantly, safe.
In this blog, we will delve into the key warning signs to watch for in a potential swinger partner, ensuring that they are truly what they seem.
Understanding Swinger Relationships
Swinger relationships have gained momentum and attracted significant media attention over the past decade. More individuals are viewing it as a safeguard against rising divorce statistics. However, inviting another partner or three into your relationship entails certain risks, especially concerning safety and emotional well-being. These challenges can be navigated successfully by adhering to key strategies and paying close attention to the signs.
Why Recognizing Red Flags is Imperative
There are two main reasons to learn swinger red flags.
It can ensure your safety: This is a big deal – the biggest. In any dating scenario, you want the initial primary concern to be safety. The internet, especially swinger lifestyle sites, have helped propel us into a new, modern dating experience that allows people from anywhere to meet. But it’s not without bad characters looking to swindle and take advantage and worse.
Maintaining emotional well-being: The entire point of swinging is to find a happier place. Letting someone in who wrecks your emotions isn’t finding a happier place. You want to avoid the narcissists and beyond.
Common Swinger Red Flags
There are things you can look for.
They Avoid Communication
Maybe they call communication “cheesy,” or flat out don’t try. In any case, its not a good sign. Partners who avoid discussing boundaries and expectations probably don’t care to respect yours. The inconsistent and unclear communications they live under will begin to infiltrate your world – and that isn’t good.
They Are Overly Jealous
Jealousy is certainly normal in any relationship. It can create challenges in maintaining emotional intimacy with your primary partner. Such challenges are not abnormal. However, when a new partner’s jealousy can’t be overcome with healthy communications and it begins to cause you to feel downtrodden and anxious all the time, it may be time to move on.
This can become a rough scenario that turns into possessiveness and eventually begins to cause issues between you and your primary partner. Or, in some cases, your primary partner begins to not handle seeing you with others well. Wherever the root of the jealousy, its important that it be kept in check.
Disrespecting Agreements
Whether its your primary partner or a partner you’ve both let into your world, respecting boundaries is the utmost importance. If someone isn’t respecting boundaries, it’s a very bad sign of things to come. A swinger relationship can’t thrive unless everyone clearly communicates and follows boundaries.
Being Emotionally Unavailable
Partners who are consistently distant or unresponsive can have a tough time forming a genuine relationship. Its normal for this to be the case with any of us from time to time. Stress can cause this and we all have that. But if this is occurring consistently and without explanation, this could be a red flag.
How To Address Red Flags
And now on to the million dollar questions – how do we deal with a swinger partner exhibiting red flag behavior?
First, you must open communication lines. It is essential to present the partner with an open forum to discuss the issues with an end goal to resolve the issues. If they decline open communication or gas light you into thinking you’re being annoying, then it may be time to move on.
You can seek the support of the swinger community. There are many swinger establishments here in London where people congregate and mingle. As well, you’ll find that swinger lifestyle sites like ours are a good resource. You may also consider relationship counseling.
Most importantly, know when to walk away. You can’t fix everything and everyone around you. You need to understand to look out for yourself in the end.
It is vital to recognize red flags. They help warn you of imminent danger and future time-waste.
Charles Lace is a distinguished UK-based writer, born in 1975 in Brighton, who has become a prominent voice in the open relationship and swinger communities. His passion for exploring and documenting alternative lifestyles, particularly in the UK, has made him a well-known figure in these circles.
After studying Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia, Lace began his career as a freelance journalist for London newspapers. In his late 20s, he found his niche writing about non-monogamous relationships and the swinger lifestyle. His breakthrough came in 2005 with the publication of “Open Hearts, Open Doors: An Introduction to Ethical Non-Monogamy,” which became an unexpected bestseller in its niche.
Known for his frank yet sensitive approach, Lace’s writing style combines personal anecdotes with well-researched information and expert interviews. He regularly contributes to various swinger publications, most notably through his column in “Lifestyle Horizons,” a popular UK-based magazine for the swinger and polyamorous communities.