Dear singleton- it certainly is your answers which are important, but just to show that there is a wide variety of opinions, I will say a few things.

I, also, cannot imagine being single, but I have never been exclusive, though I have gone for years at times without anyone except my spouse in my life. I have never sought others in my life, they just appear at times, and my spouse knows that I would never allow anything or anyone to interfere with my home life.

My SOs have been anywhere from 3 years older to 25 years younger. As you might imagine, the traits I appreciate are honesty and the lack of jealosy. I have been divorced, mostly because of my ex-spouse's non-honesty and tendency to blame others for all problems. I am now happily married, but have had another relationship for several years.

I do not necessarily advocate this life style for anyone else, I just note that it can work for some. Therefore, you and anyone you are considering sharing a reltionship with should honestly share your attitudes and be sure you agree about important issues.

If you feel that exclusivity is important, then you need to make that very clear, and find out what the other person feels.

Once again, I say these things only to show what a wide difference there is in ways we can live our lives.

(Do not assume that you can guess whether I am male of female, as I have known people of both sexes who could write almost exactly the same thoughts)