What You Need to Know About Being Friends With Benefits

Friends with benefits has a whole different set of rules than a regular relationship. To some, it may not seem like a big deal, but when not handled correctly, the situation can get quite complicated. Every situation is different, but knowing certain truths can help you avoid one that is completely messy and drama-filled.

You May Not Be the Only One

When two people are friends with benefits, they may assume that they're the only person the other is sleeping with - this can be far from the truth. The other person may have the same type of relationship with several other people or may be intimate with others in some type of way. If you want to know, you have a right to ask for health reasons.

It Might Turn Into Something More

Some go into a friends with benefits relationship thinking that it's simply going to stay that way. Most try to avoid developing any type of feelings, but it happens more often than not by one or both individuals. Before entering into this type of relationship, think about what you would do if your partner would develop feelings for you or vice versa. It can help prepare you for what you would say should this situation come up.

It Might Not Turn Into Anything at All

The other possibility is that the relationship may not turn into anything at all. Some get involved in this type of relationship with someone they already have feelings for thinking that sex is going to escalate things to a relationship level - chances are it won't. Never enter into a friends with benefits relationship thinking that something will develop out of it or that it will be anything more than sex.

Both of You Have Very Few Rights

Both individuals in a friends with benefits relationship have very little rights and seem to sometimes forget that. Some of the rights you do have include demanding the use of protection, knowing whether the other is sleeping with anyone else and that there needs to be a level of respect. Some forget that they have no right to get jealous or mad regarding relationships with other people. A friend with benefits is not a boyfriend or a girlfriend role and it's important to keep that in mind.

Once You Go There, You Can't Go Back

Once you become friends with benefits, there's no going back to what you once were. The longer you engage in this type of relationship, the more difficult it's going to be to remain friends after it's over. Be prepared for that before you even start anything - you need to be okay with the idea of possibly not having the person in your life anymore should the relationship end.

A friends with benefits relationship is possible depending on the individuals, but both people need to be on the same page before anything starts. There needs to be a discussion and rules in place to avoid confusion and hurt feelings. Above all else, both need to make sure this type of relationship is something they can handle and are willing to get involved in - once it starts, you can't take it back.