Alright, I have to get opinions on this... so bear with me...

What is REALLY the difference between FWB, and being in a relationship? I mean, isn't it the same thing?

FWB -

1. hang out and have good company
2. someone to go on dates with, have fun
3. great sex

Relationship -

1. hang out and have good company
2. someone to go out on dates with, have fun
3. great sex...

They seem the same to me...

$.02

I get the impression that most think FWB is more of a booty call, rather than a relationship.

commitment to monogamy

FWB can get their benefits from other people as well. That's the difference. Except for swingers, they can get their benefits elsewhere regardless.

Ditto what I have come to understand the FWB is just a booty call not really a friendship for the only time they are together is for sex only. They do not hang out together or go places with each other. At least the ones that I know that has them they told me they don't go anywhere with them just meet up for sex.

Sounds to me they stuck the FWB name on to make it sound better......... then a booty call...

relationship=commitment
FWB=No commitment.

That's the difference.

No expecatations for FWB
Expectations for Relationship

simple really.

I agree... Commitment is the principle difference.

Wow, I can't believe you are seriously asking this question... the difference should be obvious...


Most FWB don't include number 2 and if they do then it is mixed in with number 1, and number 3 is subjective. FWB basically means you're using someone for sex.


Bingo! Commitment, faithfulness, loyalty, monogamy.... this is what FWB does not have.

Good input...

Ah, I see your point(s)... IMHO: I would call that a straight "booty call"... where to me FWB - connotates a friendship (hanging out, possibly dates, ect) + sex...

I am not naieve, simply pontificating the differences...

$.02

i think you can pontificate in a FWB moreso than in a relationship, or is it the other way around??

FWB usually involves sex without being emotionally involved. I would think a relationship is different than that.

Booty calls can be with friends or strangers, where as FWB is just with someone you know.

Either way you aren't showing respect toward the other person, and you (or they) are just using the other for sex. Kind of like what dogs do to each other only with less conversation...

It's entirely possible to enter into a 'FWB' relationship and remain monogamous. Matter of fact, to NOT remain monogamous with the assorted 'STD-du-jour' soup out in the 'real world' is the height of idiocy. I can see several reasons why two people would consider entering into this type of relationship. One is that they enjoy each other's company, but one is a pet owner and the other has an allergic reaction to pets. Another could be that they simply enjoy having 'space' of their own and enjoy waking up in their own bed some days without anyone else around. There are other legitimate reasons why people would choose a 'FWB' arrangement that have nothing to do with 'booty call'. 'Course, considering those takes a bit of thought, and just rushing to conclusions seems to be so much easier ...

FWB-Someone I'd like to just have sex with & NSA
Relationship-Sex with the strings...something more meaningfull.

Hence the original pondering and subsequesnt solicitation of opinion... FWB OR Relationship... are they really different?... Perhpas a better question would have been, "FWB - is it a relationship"... or even, "how do you define a relationship"... (Oy Vey my head is starting to hurt )

I guess it's all about what each person thinks, and what was agreed upon that defines the "relationship"...

$.02

So, how do you define a relationship?

Yes, good question indeed... thank you for asking it...

Me, personally... I define being in a romantic relationship with a woman to be when both communicate their interest and intent to be emotionally and physically monogamous, committed... not to say "committed to marry" but "committed to each other" to the exclusion of others... For me, before that is just dating...

but, that's my opinion and how I live my life... others may differ and I find it interesting to hear what those difference are.

$.02

It seems to go without saying that 'relationship' (even if defined as 'FWB') DEMANDS monogamy. Without a commitment that basic, anything else that takes place between the two people is sex and friendship (or whatever else they choose to define it as), but it's NOT a relationship because it lacks the most basic (and most important) commitment - monogamy. Everything else is secondary to that.

Going by what you've said, I don't see FWB as being the same. People who get involved in a FWB thing (at least those I know) tend to do so in between relationships. Then it stops once they're in another relationship. Can a FWB thing turn into a relationship? I'm sure it can happen. But most of the time? I think it tends to be with someone you're not going to be in a relationship with.