Does open relationships Really work?

It does work but you need very open and great communication to build trust to avoid jealously issues. Originally Posted by whitechocolate

Well Stated

In my experience an open relationship ( I've had two ) is most often a short term thing ...a year or two maybe three. Someone at some point is bound to be having more fun than the other so the jealousy thing is inevitable, especially if one of the two develops feelings for a third party and that too is bound to happen.
Having a solid vanilla home life with a little discreet-indiscretion on the side might just be the best of all worlds, for him and her.
Hey monogamy may not be my strong suit and I'm certainly not wanting to get all mushy on you here, but at the end of a long week it's really nice bask in the energy of your soul mate and say those empowering words "I love you". just sayin'

I've done the married / divorce dance and not ready to get back into that anytime soon. Also after a series of "Dear John" letters from multiple women who can't wait (while I was at war) and the nauseating "It just happened..." line, I'm just enjoying keeping it simple right now.

I have a couple of open relationships, but eventually the girl gets emotionally attached and wants something more meaningful. I'm just not in that place right now so that's why the hobbying thing works well for me while these friends with benefits gets into the I want more mood.

Sort term YES always! Longer term SELDOM!

Thanks for all the advice guys. Short term is good for me, well for now. LoL

It can be done, but there needs to be a good discussion with you and the one you choose.
Also there is the point of your profession.
Good Questions
1.Will you have separate households or live together
2.Are there children involved? If so may want consider no bringing that home.Which I am sure you don't already.
3. Will you feel the same if your mate does the same?

Suggestions
BE CAREFUL AND PROTECTION IS A MUST
If you live together. Make your home holy ground (nothing goes on there) The home should be just for you and him. That means no men calling while you are home with him.
Establish that with the one you choose outside of your relationship.
Be honest if you are seeing another and decide to be with him instead of your mate. Tell him first

i was in one for a while (she was bi-sexual). after a while i got this sense of "who am i with". she was a swinger in her previous relationship/marriage. we talked about the whole thing and I said I didn't mind any playing around as long as we were honest and upfront about stuff. she was looking for someone to take care of her though so the first guy that showed her the proper interest and financial security, she left for him. good for her, because i don't think we had anything going for us besides sex.

we tried to hook up with a couple at a swingers club in austin but she wasn't interested in the man. she was upfront about it to them so both me and the man agreed to seeing both of our girls go at it. by the time that conversation came up, some other couples were interested in us/them so we didn't see it through. that couple that tried to pick us up is still together from my understanding.

bottom line, it can work if both of you make it work. having the right frame of mind going into any relationship and decision helps a ton.