Someone in my team just got engaged!!! Man I'm jealous!

Person_one

Dunroamin wrote: »

But you were engaged to be married so partner was a wholly appropriate term to use. What I was objecting to is teenagers who use the expression about someone who they don't live with and who they've only known for a matter of weeks. For them boy/girlfriend is much more appropriate.

I guess I just don't understand why its any skin off your nose? Does it matter if they use a word in a way you don't approve but that isn't categorically 'wrong'?

paulineb_2

Ive used the word partner rather than bf because Im in my 40s and saying that I have a bf might make me sound like the oldest swinger in town (not that kind). But if there were a word to use and get away with it, Id rather use bf, partner makes someone sound like a cowboy, but if people like to use it, thats up to them.

So many ways someone you are seeing can be referred to. Id never seen much of people being called DH, OH until I went on forums. Other half is a phrase I really dont like.

Ive also never lived with someone, I would assume that people think that living together makes a relationship more serious but Ive had serious relationships with people who Ive never lived with.

Just personal preference really.

Person_one

I have noticed that women are more likely to use partner while men seem happy to carry on using girlfriend or boyfriend up to a much older age. Maybe because we still use 'girl' to describe adult women, but nobody would call a grown man a 'boy', generally.

paulineb_2

Ive also referred to people by a few other names.

Generally after the relationship is over

Lagoon

Person_one wrote: »

I have noticed that women are more likely to use partner while men seem happy to carry on using girlfriend or boyfriend up to a much older age. Maybe because we still use 'girl' to describe adult women, but nobody would call a grown man a 'boy', generally.

That, or men never quite get past the mentality of a teenager.

:whistle:

Georgiegirl256

Dunroamin wrote: »

But you were engaged to be married so partner was a wholly appropriate term to use. What I was objecting to is teenagers who use the expression about someone who they don't live with and who they've only known for a matter of weeks. For them boy/girlfriend is much more appropriate.

In the case of only being together just a few weeks, then maybe yes, it could be abit premature to use that term. For teenagers, boyfriend/girlfriend is highly appropriate, but for older couples to describe each other, I think partner is a much better term regardless on the amount of time they've been together. But, that's just my thinking.

The hubby used to call me 'the Mrs' even before we were married. I guess, call them whatever you feel comfortable calling them.

paulineb_2

I have to say, I draw the line at someone referring to me as a (daft) bint.

duchy

Person_one wrote: »

I guess I just don't understand why its any skin off your nose? Does it matter if they use a word in a way you don't approve but that isn't categorically 'wrong'?

Possibly because using partner to describe a less than committed teenage relationship devalues the meaning when using it about a relationship with a couple who are in a genuine committed partnership ?

I don't describe my fiance as my partner specifically for that reason personally. Boyfriend sound stupid when referring to a grandfather aged fifty- so it's a bit of a problem really

Person_one

duchy wrote: »

Possibly because using partner to describe a less than committed relationship devalues the meaning when using it about a relationship with a couple who are in a genuine committed partnership ?

As I keep saying on DT threads about gay marriage, what other people call their relationships, has absolutely no effect on yours!

duchy

Person_one wrote: »

As I keep saying on DT threads about gay marriage, what other people call their relationships, has absolutely no effect on yours!

No it has no impact on my relationship but it does have an impact on others perception of it
(Don't read DT threads much as they seem to be inhabited by a minority who appear to reside on Mars)