Open relationship Primer

Alright, I get this is a complicated topic.  People are complicated.  When you live in the black and write world of monogamy, it is one thing but when you open up the rainbow of possibilities things can be confusing.

First, lets talk about what is not true.

• When someone says they are in an Open Relationship (OP) this is NOT the same thing as single
• NOT everyone in an OP is Bi, promiscuous or even sexually active outside of their primary relationship
• Just because you understand one kind of OP does NOT mean that you understand the dynamics of the next one you incounter.
• OP is NOT the same thing as Polyamory,  That's a whole different conversation.

 Now on to the truths of the matter

OP's are like treaties between countries.  They are negotiated and each one is unique. They do come in three basic types.

• So open that it is hard to tell there is a relationship at all as an outsider.  Each party does what they wish when they wish.  
• Open with half the possiblities.  This is a Bi thing and comes from the strange (IMO) believe that relationships with one gender of persons has a basic value greater than relationships with the other gender therefore those don't but the OP at risk.
• A Limited OP - these are the most common among long term OPs and each is very different.  How do you find out what the ground rules are when you are interested in someone who is in one of these?  You ask one of the partners.