This archive report was first published on 18 August 2021.
Relationships can be challenging, especially when you're meeting someone new. You want them to like you for who you are without compromising your values or integrity.
Unfortunately, some people may resort to outsourcing their relationships, leaving the reins in the hands of colleagues, friends, and family. While this may seem like a convenient solution, it can often lead to trouble and even relationship breakdowns.
So, how do you know if your partner is dating their friends? Here are some signs to look out for:
- Conversations don't flow: Do you ever feel like your partner doesn't seem to know or understand what they're saying? When you ask them to be clearer, they get upset?
- Physical meetings are rare: Are they always counselling on plans? Are your physical dates close to nonexistent? They might be genuinely busy, but really good at texting or scared of facing you alone.
- Conversations are shallow: When a dating partner is getting help from their friends, the conversations and relationship will likely regress. A serious person will want to know you deeper, get to be with you, but when too many people are in the picture, the conversation will be stagnated and focused on shallow meaningless topics.
- They always seem to forget stuff: Do you always seem to be repeating yourself? Like: 'I already told you that?' or 'Why are you always asking the same questions?' chances are you are talking to different people or they are just not interested.
- They take too long to respond: It's a texting world, and most people are fast at texting. If your partner cannot even respond to a simple 'hello' and do it after hours with what seems like a calculated response, it's a red flag.
- Their friends know more about you than they should: If you have been dating for less than a month and his friends seem to know everything about you, this could be a red flag. Yes, we love partners who are open, but when they are too open, your relationship may just be having a council of elders.
