How long did you date your SO before deciding to become exclusive?

Ans: I tend to be exclusive by nature, once I decide to be romantically involved with someone at all, so the question doesn't really make a whole lot of sense in my case. I guess it's more like...how long does it take me to become seriously interested in someone? Well, each case is unique in that respect, but usually a few weeks I suppose...sometimes a few months.

Who initiated the exclusivity?

Ans: It was mutual. I had a couple of past relationships where I was exclusive but she wasn't! That was NOT a happy situation.

How long did you go without communicating between dates before becoming exclusive?

ans: Ummm...darned if I know. Maybe a week or two?

What is the age gap between you and your SO?

Ans: It has varied from 2 or 3 years to about 30 years, depending on which case we are speaking of.

What traits did you not like about your SO but felt were worth overlooking?

Ans: Ha! I haven't got time tonight to write "War and Peace"! I'll just say that her good points appeared to outweigh the drawbacks...in every case.

Do you think you'd be happier single?

Yup. On the whole I am happier single. But that's just me. For a lot of folks, being single is not too workable a situation, it seems.

My answers above do not concern one past relationship, but several. They all had their good points and their problem areas too. I seem best cut out to be on my own over the long haul, but have always liked romance a lot. I just don't like being pigeon-holed or tied down for two long in a domestic arrangement with someone. If I never had sex with anyone again in this life, it wouldn't cause me to lose any sleep...but if I never loved anyone again, now THAT would be disastrous! And it ain't gonna happen. Loving people (and loving yourself at the same time) is what makes life worthwhile.

- LH