I was just updating my profile biography when I realised I don't know what to call my 'partner' without it feeling awkward. We are both in our 30s and have been together for 14 years so boyfriend feels a bit wrong. The term 'partner' always feels like something that old people say. We're not married or engaged so husband and fiancé are both out. Though Husband felt OK before legalised marriage :dry: 'significant other' or 'better-half' etc are all very jokey in my opinion. So what's the answer? Any suggestions? Or am I the only one who thinks this deeply about it?
14 years? Good for you for a start! Personally I'd stick with partner or significant other. I can understand the problem with using boyfriend, it's definitely more of a short-term relationship term. Maybe you are thinking too much into it but yeah, I'd say partner, I don't think it's an 'old people term', I know a lot of people who use it.
Yeh, I usually say partner but then people can misinterpret that and think I have a girlfriend or wife, which is just awkward. I suppose it feels old fashioned to me because I hear a lot of older people saying it. ---------- Post added 5th Mar 2016 at 11:45 PM ---------- Thanks but the truth is I put a lot of effort in to turning him gay so it would be a waste not to keep him this long :icon_wink
Well it's just going to be a learning experience for them not to assume that every person is in a bloody hetero relationship, eh. Just think of yourself as being an educator. Haha that's a fair enough explanation xD
Personally I've always hated the term partner. You're not business associates, you're in love. I've always used boyfriend. It lets people know you're together as friends and lovers, probably living together, but not married.
It's a weird one. I always hated the term civil partnerships as they sounded so cold. However in a relationship sense I would say partner if formal etc of boyfriend if with people as it would always make me grin if I said that to someone. As someone who has nobody I would say the main thing is you have each other and 14 years is really awesome and really just don't over think this. Labels don't matter at the end of the day only what you feel for each other does. You could call him your heart, souls and reason for being but when your with the person you love and people can tell introductions won't even be needed
I feel so young again Good points, I always saw civil partnership as a second rate option (no offence to those that got one) and on a slight side track, I hate the term 'gay marriage'. Isn't the point to gain equality not our own version of marriage. I wish people could just say marriage. Also I hadn't thought of it until you said it but introducing my 'boyfriend' does make me feel more love puppy than saying "this is my partner".
LOL! I am 47 this year so..... I personally do not like partner, it sounds like we are in business together LOL. However, I use my Honey or Wife, which my masculine of Centered wife does not prefer. I often use Husbutch.
I'm 29 and refer to my boyfriend of four years as my boyfriend! It always sounds odd when anyone uses the word partner about us.