I think that, as intercourse is the closest you will ever get to another human being, there should be a corresponding emotional bond. The times that I have ignored that in the past I've ended up feeling used and dirty the next day so I'm staying with it.

I've been on my own for five years now - if a good relationship comes along that will be great but if not, I have a lot of good friends and a fulfilling life and dom't NEED someone to 'look after' me. I have friends who think they have that need and have compromised significantly for a relationship and are now unhappy.

I think we all need time to get to know ourselves and not be afraid of being alone. If we are comfortable with ourselves everything else will flow, be it a relationship or the single life.