nerwinbardus
New member
Hi everyone!
Male, single, 26 y/o.
I have a question, and I'm asking it because what I'm about to describe has already happened to me with more than one of my friends. I'm just trying to find the right label or term so I can better understand it and read more about it.
Is there a term (I believe it may come from the polyamory community) that describes the kind of agreement where two people act like romantic/sexual partners, as if they were “dating," just for one day, one night, one date, or even a few days (like during a short vacation)? After that period, they go back to being regular friends, until maybe they decide to do it again in the future.
I’m not referring to “friends with benefits,” because that usually implies an ongoing intimate connection. What I’m talking about is just one occasion at a time, a single shared experience, with a clear start and end.
I’m also not talking about a “comet partner,” since these are friends who live near me and I see often — not someone who comes and goes from my life over long periods.
The term “playdate” feels related but doesn’t quite capture the tone or intention.
Here’s an example of the dynamic:
“Today, we’re ‘a couple.' Tomorrow we go back to being friends. Maybe next month we’ll do it again.”
It tends to be playful, flexible, and mutually agreed upon, often used between friends who want to explore romantic or sexual dynamics occasionally, without changing the foundation of their friendship.
In my case, these kinds of agreements have been with friends where there’s strong romantic and sexual compatibility, but who are not interested in polyamory themselves. I, on the other hand, am interested in polyamory, and this kind of approach works really well for me. I never feel like I’m “wasting time or energy on the wrong people” — quite the opposite: I have a great time, and if we’re both happy with the agreement, then what could be better?
I’m asking so I can look up more about this — rules, shared experiences, how others navigate it, etc. If you know any sources or threads where people talk about this dynamic, I’d love it if you could point me in that direction.
It obviously requires clear communication, mutual consent, respect for boundaries, awareness of potential emotional impacts, and a priority placed on preserving the existing friendship.
Tags I'm considering (but not sure if they fit):
"Temporary partner agreement between friends"
"Casual romantic agreement friends"
"Short-term dating between friends"
"Friends acting as a couple temporarily"
Sorry for my bad English.
Male, single, 26 y/o.
I have a question, and I'm asking it because what I'm about to describe has already happened to me with more than one of my friends. I'm just trying to find the right label or term so I can better understand it and read more about it.
Is there a term (I believe it may come from the polyamory community) that describes the kind of agreement where two people act like romantic/sexual partners, as if they were “dating," just for one day, one night, one date, or even a few days (like during a short vacation)? After that period, they go back to being regular friends, until maybe they decide to do it again in the future.
I’m not referring to “friends with benefits,” because that usually implies an ongoing intimate connection. What I’m talking about is just one occasion at a time, a single shared experience, with a clear start and end.
I’m also not talking about a “comet partner,” since these are friends who live near me and I see often — not someone who comes and goes from my life over long periods.
The term “playdate” feels related but doesn’t quite capture the tone or intention.
Here’s an example of the dynamic:
“Today, we’re ‘a couple.' Tomorrow we go back to being friends. Maybe next month we’ll do it again.”
It tends to be playful, flexible, and mutually agreed upon, often used between friends who want to explore romantic or sexual dynamics occasionally, without changing the foundation of their friendship.
In my case, these kinds of agreements have been with friends where there’s strong romantic and sexual compatibility, but who are not interested in polyamory themselves. I, on the other hand, am interested in polyamory, and this kind of approach works really well for me. I never feel like I’m “wasting time or energy on the wrong people” — quite the opposite: I have a great time, and if we’re both happy with the agreement, then what could be better?
I’m asking so I can look up more about this — rules, shared experiences, how others navigate it, etc. If you know any sources or threads where people talk about this dynamic, I’d love it if you could point me in that direction.
It obviously requires clear communication, mutual consent, respect for boundaries, awareness of potential emotional impacts, and a priority placed on preserving the existing friendship.
Tags I'm considering (but not sure if they fit):
"Temporary partner agreement between friends"
"Casual romantic agreement friends"
"Short-term dating between friends"
"Friends acting as a couple temporarily"
Sorry for my bad English.
