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Everyone keeps secrets. Big or small, innocent or dark, secrets are a part of who we are as human beings. And even though we might strive to be as transparent as we can, there will always be something that’s left unvoiced and unshared. Even with the people closest to us, our romantic partners. And privacy can, suddenly, morph into secrecy.

The people of Reddit, protected by the anonymity their usernames give them, opened up about the things their partners don’t know. From things that are surprisingly wholesome to secrets that are best left in the dark so they don’t ruin someone’s day. Scroll down and check out these redditors’ honest answers.

Remember to upvote the posts that you enjoyed reading the most, dear Pandas. And if you have any lighthearted secrets that your partner doesn’t know about, you can spill them in the comment section.

Bored Panda reached out to the author of the viral r/AskReddit thread, u/alvl70charizard, to get their perspective on secrets in relationships. They were kind enough to answer our questions. Scroll down for our interview with them.

#1

Someone Asked, 'What’s One Thing Your Partner Doesn’t Know?', 40 People Delivered I try to give her the “better half of life”.

If there are two pieces of pizza left and one piece is burnt, I’ll take the burnt one. She gets the good piece.

If I’m going to shower and there’s one normal towel left, I will use a hand rag or something to dry off — she gets the towel.

If there’s that unwanted end of the bread loaf, I’ll make myself a sandwich using that sad end piece . I’ll then make her sandwich with the good pieces .

I do this all the time for the smallest things. She never knows.

I try to make her life better in those small ways

phillythompson , Spencer Davis Report

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No_idea
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's really sweet. What a beautiful love he has for her

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Kell Goreham
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I thought I was the only one! Only I'm the woman in this relationship and he has had no idea

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Daren Tan
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In my case, we both are scrambling to get the "sad end piece" and leave the not so sad one to the other.

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PeachPossum
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I use those sad end pieces to make a not-so-sad breakfast bread pudding for two. Then we can both enjoy them.

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Sheila Stamey
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had a beloved that I treated him this way for sixteen years, ten months and five days. He passed away in January. I was blessed to have him. He was my later in life love. Love you Danny 😘.

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Gin
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How loved he must have felt. What wonderful memories you must have.

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Bardhi's Dad
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am doing the same. But sometime my wife finds it out, and she becomes angry. Not in bad way

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Stew
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I bet both of you love each other a lot. It's just cute when a couple fights so that one of them stops sacrificing their happiness for the other.

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Missi Boness
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Omg every human needs to try to be exactly like this for their partner. This IS LOVE.

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Peej Maybe
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I always do this too. In the grand scheme of things it's probably insignificant, but it's just another tiny way to show your love for someone. Even if they never notice (and quite often they don't), you will know you've done it.

yeciye4857 avatar
yeciye
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That doesn’t sound healthy long term; perhaps you should give yourself that better half, half the time?

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lenka
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My husband does these things for me every single day. He thinks I don't notice, but I do. Tiny little things that make my life better in small but very significant ways. It's how he expresses his love for me and it brings him joy to make these gestures even at his own expense. I know this - because I have my own ways of doing tiny little things that attempt to make his life better every single day - and it brings me joy to see him smile and to know that I made a difference for him today. That's exactly what a healthy long term relationship looks like.

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Clementine Smith
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As someone who has a partner who does this as well , we know. We notice these little things and we truly appreciate it <3

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Ogidi Girl
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My husband does that. He thinks I don't know but I do and whisper thank you when he falls asleep. He is AMAZING

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Bob
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I thought I was the only one who did stuff like that. Good to know. 😊

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ElPando
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is probably the most romantic thing I have ever read.

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Rachael Coleman-Dean
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tell her. Chances are if you pass on, she'll never know how much you loved her. Tell her now.

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Dani Alexander
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is so beautiful. I love hearing about healthy loving relationships

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Lili Hajdu
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would always do this for my boyfriend and he broke up with me for being to selfish

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Alex Luiz
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is so lovely. I have now vowed to try and do this for my partner, even when I am annoyed at him.

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Eric Mac Fadden
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I ALWAYS did that. How many times I'd did or eaten something for her. 13 years later I still make hers night snack, every. single. night.

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plain bOrEd not panda
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am sure she knows. My husband does this kind of small things and I notice all of them, that's one of the many reasons I love him.

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Nadine Debard
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My husband does this all the time. He says that doesn't bother him. He wants the broken cookie (I don't mind broken cookies!) the old bread and so on. He's very sweet. Sometimes I manage to give him the best part! He loves that, too but always protest.

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CousinFish
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For so many of these stories, the love is not just the things that these folks actually do for their partners, it's also that they recognize what makes their partners happy and what their partners' sensitivities are and honor these things with their own kindness.

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Zane Paul
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is what I do too. But the down side of not announcing this every time I do it, is that she puts a stronger emphasis on gifts because she feels like I "don't show her enough affection" or something

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Rebecca Clark
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's what Mamas did back when I was growing up. That's what I did for years but after about 15 years, I started switching back-and-forth so I could be the blessed one sometimes because I deserve it, too.

steve_turner avatar
Steve Turner
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Great for your spirit probably no impact for her. Good chance somewhere in her mind is the thought you don't do enough.

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Tomas Anshelm
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Isn't that toxic masculinity? Do you open her car door as well? (I'm obviously joking... BTW)

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Giuditta Jones
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Isn't this like... Normal human behaviour? For me this is normal, and not only for my partner. 🤷‍♀️

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Britney Carlisle
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My husband does these things for me and it makes me feel so cherished. I try to do the same for him.

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C White
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She knows. That's why she loves you so much. You give her a good life.

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Nicholi Âû
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is what love and marriage is truly all about... Love is love!

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Eunice Robertson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My husband was diabetic from his late 20s. I always had sweets on me. He thought they were sugar-free, and they were. But I also kept a "secret stash" of ordinary sweets in my bag. If I suspected that his sugar level was dropping, I used to ask him if he felt like a sweet, and give him an ordinary one. Doing that saved us many times, especially if we were on the roads.

dfreg avatar
Leodavinci
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If your partner doesn't know what you do, they can't appreciate what you do.

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Cass Malone
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This sounds like my man. Idk if he does it intentionally or not but he'll usually take the crappy part of life if there's an option on who has to.

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Blaze001sa
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My husband does this... <3 And I do notice every time. So I try doing small things for him too.

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O'Dessa Bourque
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I do the same for my fella, but it started with my younger sisters. I enjoy soda that goes flat because I didn't want it going to waste. Sometimes, I let my sode go flat on purpose for nostalgia. Also, bread ends are great for grilled cheese or french toast! (◍•ᴗ•◍)❤

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Vix
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

After reading about some truly awful people in the LoveBombing thread, these are restoring my faith in humanity

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BrandX
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My boyfriend I do the same, but if he notices me giving him the better thing he'll insist I have it

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Jamie Solt
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I really wish you would let her know though.... because those are the beautiful 'little things' that are amazing.. and oh my heart, you are truly a good one. Props to you.

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Brian Bennett
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm afraid your partner knows - my hubby does the same thing but he doesn't know I know, and I will never tell him!

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StellaLehggs
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's really sweet! I myself like the bread butts though, especially on french bread. 🙂

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Nicholas McShane
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ditto. It costs so little - but makes life better. I think it's a lot to do with how we were brought up.

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hhh cubed
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would know. You're speaking my love language. If it's hers too, then she knows and feels treasured and probably grateful to have somebody who knows and values her worth. That he isn't afraid to give that much more to her, without needing to have constant acknowledgement is such a big, silent expression of love. Actions truly do speak louder than words and acts of love are the loudest.

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Benjamin Palma
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love my wife the same way. I think the world of her and I try in every way to make her feel loved and cherished.

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September
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's very nice. The heel slice of bread is the best slice 😋

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Karen Jay
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sounds like the making of a love song. You already have the lyrics.

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Sarah Mccullough
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

😲 I do the exact same thing for my husband. Im glad im not the only one! It feels great because your doing something nice but they never know how much you love them and want them to have better. I always take food thats burnt or even if one looks better than the other he get pretty one. This happens with more little things than youd expect. All worth it.

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John and Brandy Keippala
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh my gosh! Are you my husband posting this??? He 100% is exactly like this!!! I try to do the same but have to be more sneaky about it because he is so good!!!!!!

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purple zebra
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think my husband wrote this and yes I know and I love you for this

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Sara Farms
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Aw that’s so sweet even the but bread you must love her :D

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Jay Anderson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's the true sacrifice men make for their wives. A real man takes the hit, it's the honor wives deserve

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Shaun Warner
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel you bro, but I only love my girl... I don't like her. But I'm a gentleman!

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Betsy Novack
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wouldn't kick you put of bed for eating crackers. If she sees your post she's going to cry. You're a keeper.

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Nika Strokappe
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Have you ever checked whether she may be doing the exact same thing for you?

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J. Normal
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hope she does the same for him. My husband and I have done this for 40 yrs. we try and spoil each other when we can.

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Amonda Hutchinson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I do this also. I thought I was alone. But I do this for everyone not just my partner... Is that bad. .

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Zophra
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think it's even nicer when both members of the couple are giving like this. :)

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Adam Zad
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Side Note: That "sad" end piece of bread is called the "heel" of the loaf. A little piece of trivia for you. I'm full of it.... TRIVIA! Full of TRIVIA!

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Alex the Country Dog
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have a feeling he knows. Language is much more beautiful when it is less precise, and more emotive.

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Maim
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I check the shower mat after the cleaning crew comes through and make sure all the suction cups are working so my husband doesn't fall :) He has no idea

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Linouchka
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I do this too. When serving dishes, there's always one nice and one crumbled, I take the ugly one. The chipped mug is mine, his is whole. He likes the crust of the bread, he gets it. That's what love does, I guess.

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Crissie Laugesen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's no such thing as "that unwanted end of the bread loaf" - that's the crust, and it's the best part! And my lovely husband always leaves them for me as he knows I love crusts.

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Andy Gordon
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I do the same thing! And I'm pretty sure my fiance does the same for me 😂

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Rocky Mom
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My husband does this for me, always! Since we got together 8 yrs ago. I try to fight it, I try to insist it be alright but gosh darn, he never goes for it. Only when I KNOW it is more of his favorite thing or whatever, I am able to "convince" him. But it is so rare.

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Jacqueline Chandler
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My husband does the same thing. I always notice. It is so sweet and romantic.

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Kat B
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I just do this for everyone anyway :p unless maybe I don't like them.

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Poultry Geist
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My mom is like this with me but I will fight my kids to the end for the last piece ! It’s funny how that works !

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Bex
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Did my wife write this?! She doesn't know that I see when she does this. (Silly doesn't know--I do it, too)

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Christopher Daugherty
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You're not special. Do some of the laundry and shopping and you won't be short on towels and bread.

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Natalia A
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wonder how psychologically healthy this is. I understand doing those little things for their spouse but this person seems to be putting their needs second to their wife's consistently which suggests some self-esteem issues.

marlasinkdruzgal avatar
Alex the Country Dog
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It’s incredibly healthy. The best and longest marriages written about are full of these tiny acts. They both know what’s happening. She most likely reciprocates in similar ways. It is healthy.

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nina pook
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's very sweet of OP, and I admit I have done that sometimes. But all the time? There's some adulting missing here.

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Vee Lyons
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hope she's also doing small things to make his life better too.

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Redditor u/alvl70charizard told Bored Panda that they're "a huge fan" of the r/AskReddit subreddit. "I find myself often scrolling endlessly reading some of the most passionate people give their opinions and life experiences. The night before posting, I had a conversation with my friends and my partner about the 'little things' in a relationship. Things like fears, interests, and future goals," they opened up about the inspiration behind the question they asked.

"The conversation was fun and eventful with everyone giving their two cents, but the group quickly moved on to another topic. But like many others, I tend to overanalyze, and found myself asking, 'What’s one thing my partner doesn’t know?' Or, 'What’s one thing I don’t know about my partner?'" the redditor shared how they started thinking more and more about relationships and honesty.

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"Now I like to think that my wife and I are super open about our relationship, but surely there’s something we don’t know right? So, I asked her and much to my surprise she said, 'Everything and anything I know you know.' I felt relieved almost instantly, but I figured someone out there needed to answer the question for their own well-being. So, I created the question in the thread!"

#2

Someone Asked, 'What’s One Thing Your Partner Doesn’t Know?', 40 People Delivered That I don't need to read aloud. My girlfriend struggles with insomnia but for some reason when I talk to her late at night she passes out almost immediately. So whenever I read a book I read out loud softly under the guise that it helps me focus. It works every time :)

xxzaif , Bogdan Cheșa Report

#3

Someone Asked, 'What’s One Thing Your Partner Doesn’t Know?', 40 People Delivered My wife is prone to nightmares and often whimpers or screams in her sleep when she has one. I can reassure her without waking her and get her to feel safe enough that she makes happy little cooing noises while she’s still sound asleep. I’ve been doing this for her for over thirty years.

silviazb*tch , Михаил Калегин Report

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Jaekry
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Adorable. And reassuring is wholesome. The nightmare might end, but the feelings usually linger some time afterwards.

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Redditor u/alvl70charizard revealed to Bored Panda that, in their opinion, they definitely think that honesty is always the best policy in any romantic relationship. They also practice what they preach. "I think my partner and I have created a space where that is true. If there is something going on in our lives, it’s better to be there together and tackle it head-on as a unit rather than individuals," they mused.

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In their view, a partner should 'ideally' be comfortable sharing everything. "But there are situations where withholding information may be for that person’s mental and physical benefit. The question then arises, 'Is that the right thing to do?' I honestly don’t know."

#4

Someone Asked, 'What’s One Thing Your Partner Doesn’t Know?', 40 People Delivered That I know our daughter's reddit account, and that I check in on her regularly.

I feel deep, profound guilt about following her, because while I respect her privacy I know that she has significant physical and emotional issues. She's at college out of state, and battles with clinical depression and an unusual and incurable chronic illness, and she really, really tries not to let on to the world when she's going through a rough patch. She'll make a comment or post something that lets me know that she's feeling crushed or broken, and I'll co-incidentally reach out to her the next day and give her an opening to talk about anything that's bothering her. Most of the time it works and she'll vent for awhile and feel a little better. Some of the time we just trade pictures of cats. Either way, she knows that she's loved and that someone is thinking of her.

If I told my wife about this? She'd blow the whole thing up and like a bull in a china shop she'd make it pretty clear that she knew our daughter's account and immediately interject herself into our daughter's life so she could fix everything. I understand that, because my wife is brilliant and protective and only sees the world in black and white. But I also understand that my daughter has to fix her own life - and that she's doing it every day, but that it doesn't hurt to have someone text her out of the blue and tell her a dad joke and try and make her laugh while she's doing it.

I wrestle with the idea that I'm simultaneously a bad parent and a bad husband because of this. I've been married for almost thirty years, and this is the only thing I've ever kept from my wife. I hate it, but it's a hole I dug for myself, so I have to sit in it alone.

Randomizer73 , NeONBRAND Report

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yeciye
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It’s a pretty nice hole. It actually sounds wholesome.

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#5

Someone Asked, 'What’s One Thing Your Partner Doesn’t Know?', 40 People Delivered Boyfriend has financial struggles, not because of anything he’s ever done. His mother is mentally unwell and his father can’t work for various reasons. He’s been the sole provider for his family since he was a teen and has to balance his job on top of being the top 5% in his university cohort to maintain two scholarships.

He had to put his mom in a psychiatric hospital by himself when he was 19. He had no support from relatives except his grandma, who doesn’t have an income herself but tries her best. He currently is raising his younger brother and paying rent for the both of them. He acts strong about it but he gets “financial panics” very very often.

In comparison, my family isn’t rich but we’re definitely lucky enough to be comfortable. My parents pay my tuition, but I still work part time (teaching) because I don’t get any pocket money and I also enjoy it. I’m a very frugal person though so a lot of it just gets saved up.

So, sometimes I secretly transfer some money into his account. I pretend to “borrow” his phone and delete the SMS notification off of it. He’s never noticed. It’s not a lot of money but I like to think it helps him get a little bit of extra something.

_k0ella_ , Maxim Ilyahov Report

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#6

Someone Asked, 'What’s One Thing Your Partner Doesn’t Know?', 40 People Delivered When we watch movies together we always snack. One of our favorites to munch on during the movie are the Sour Punch Bites. She takes all the blue ones because I don't like them and they are her favorite - always says how lucky she is that worked out like that.

The blue ones are also my favorite, but she can have them.

xbone42 , Atul Vinayak Report

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Vicky Zar
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had to google what that is and I found that you can buy bags of just blue ones. Why don‘t you buy those and both be happy?

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They referred to one of the posts in their thread as an example of how difficult it is to decide on what to do in certain cases: "For example, one of the posts in the thread discussed how a user hadn’t told his wife that her mother called for her right before she passed away. She had left the room just minutes before and he never told her. Personally, I don’t know what I would have done or said in a similar situation."

Situations like that fall into a bit of a grey area and, according to the redditor, "a majority of people would agree it comes down to the person and the situation." In short, there's no easy answer about total whether or not total honesty is possible (or even recommended) in extremely delicate situations that can have a deep, lasting, negative impact on your partner.

"I would just like to add a huge thank you to everyone in the Reddit community that submitted any responses. Especially those that wrote some personal information it means a lot when a community can come together and talk about their lives like we did," the redditor praised their fellow internet users.

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#7

Someone Asked, 'What’s One Thing Your Partner Doesn’t Know?', 40 People Delivered She suffers from depression, and when she hits a slump she feels like laying in bed and doing nothing, even though 99.9% of the time just getting out of bed and doing something, ANYTHING will make a dramatic difference in her day. So usually when she hits a slump I'll manufacture some fake emergency that only she can help me solve, like "hey babe I think one of the cats has a scratch on his face but he won't hold still for me to look." Of course, the cat is fine, but I just tricked her into getting out of bed and doing something, and that's always the hardest part.

shutterpunts , S L Report

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Vera
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As someone who recognises this mood and behaviour, you're doing a kind thing for her.

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#8

Someone Asked, 'What’s One Thing Your Partner Doesn’t Know?', 40 People Delivered That most of the times I ask my wife for a hug are when she's feeling down or upset, because she doesn't like to be "clingy or needy" so she internalises and goes quiet.

I tell her I need a hug because of one thing or another so I can comfort her without making her feel like she's inconveniencing me.

candinos , Anastasia Vityukova Report

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Pittsburgh rare
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I really felt this. I also have trouble externalising if l'm feeling upset so this is really thoughtful

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#9

Someone Asked, 'What’s One Thing Your Partner Doesn’t Know?', 40 People Delivered That her mom called for her the moment before she died. When her mom was dying she was in the room with her for almost 24 hours straight and left for 30 seconds and I was there and in those 30 seconds her mother died but not before calling for my wife. I don't know if it will haunt her or not, but I just don't think it's something she needs to know

GoGoNJDevil , LinkedIn Sales Solutions Report

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René Studer
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Understandable, It would probably haunt her. I know I wouldn’t take that well.

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Certified relationship coach Alex Scot explained to Bored Panda that there is a difference between secrecy and privacy. The former can be harmful to a relationship if left unchecked while the latter is a healthy part of living.

She told us during an earlier interview that transparency is vitally important in any relationship that you pursue, but especially in romantic ones. If you’re ever stuck wondering whether or not you should tell your partner something, the first thing you should do is put yourself in their shoes and imagine what they would want.

"If it can affect your partner or family, there absolutely should be transparency. Whenever in doubt, put yourself in the other person’s shoes and ask yourself what you would like if you were in their situation," relationship coach Alex told Bored Panda.

#10

Someone Asked, 'What’s One Thing Your Partner Doesn’t Know?', 40 People Delivered I rub her back when she's asleep because she makes happy noises and I like to think it makes her have better dreams... I do also do this to the dog though.

TheVampireSantiago , Kinga Cichewicz Report

#11

Just how often I check her out. She brags to her friends that I'll check her out 10 times a day. Dearest voluptuous woman, that's how many times I make sure you catch me. I am stealing glances the entire time we share any space.

HeftyPockets Report

#12

Someone Asked, 'What’s One Thing Your Partner Doesn’t Know?', 40 People Delivered My husband's birthday is Christmas Eve. Unfortunately his birthday gets forgotten a lot. The first year we were married almost no one remembered, and although he claimed it didn't bother him, I could see that it really did. So now I send out a text first thing on the morning on Christmas Eve, and all everyone to take a moment to wish him a happy birthday, and explicitly stated that no one is to let him know that I've sent out the text. Almost 12 years in, and he hasn't found out

dream_weaver35 , Adem AY Report

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Kate Todd
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Such a lovely kind thing to do. My birthday is on the 23rd of December and it' often gets overlooked. It's nice to be remembered on your birthday

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"If it wouldn’t impact them, then you have the option of keeping it to yourself. The difference between privacy and secrecy is that secrecy has a sense of shame, guilt, or knowing that your partner or family member wouldn’t be ok with whatever took place,” she said that we should strongly consider opening up about a secret if it has a direct effect on our loved ones.

Of course, every situation is different and in some cases, a bit of discretion might save our partners a world of hurt. However, that really depends on the secret in question. And the secret-keepers have to take into account the fact that trust is incredibly hard to rebuild after it’s been broken.

Alex said that it is “always a challenge” to rebuild that trust. The bigger the secret, the longer it will take. "For smaller offenses, it will take less time, but for larger offenses, be prepared to be overly transparent for a time and hire a therapist or coach to walk you through the process. Trust takes consistency to rebuild and consistency equals effort over time."

#13

Someone Asked, 'What’s One Thing Your Partner Doesn’t Know?', 40 People Delivered My husband borrows my concealer sometimes to cover up acne. Problem is, he has this beautiful olive skin and I have very fair skin…it didn’t match but he was too embarrassed to buy his own concealer so he insisted on just using whatever I was using. So I bought him his own and put it in the spot where he knows to look for mine. It took me a few tries but I eventually got the right color match

megpal426 , No Revisions Report

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Joonscrab
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wish it was just normal and simple for boys to do makeup, but you're so sweet!

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#14

Someone Asked, 'What’s One Thing Your Partner Doesn’t Know?', 40 People Delivered I bought the flowers his workplace sent him when his mother died. Everyone else in his family were sent flowers by their work except him and I was utterly furious. He’s a teacher and both of us have made a lot of personal sacrifices for his job but when I contacted them I was told they couldn’t send him anything because it would “set a precedent” or some bollocks. So I told them I’d pay and I bought a huge bouquet and sent it to him. It really meant a lot which makes me even sadder.

Laylelo , Carrie Beth Williams Report

#15

Someone Asked, 'What’s One Thing Your Partner Doesn’t Know?', 40 People Delivered Whenever we get fast food to go, she enjoys eating the extra fries which have fallen out of their carriage and into the bag. I'm not really sure why she enjoys them so much but whenever there aren't any, I drop a few down when grabbing my fries secretly and then give her the bag. It's been 8 years haha. I always grab my fries last and she's never noticed.

NecromanticGarden , JC Gellidon Report

#16

Someone Asked, 'What’s One Thing Your Partner Doesn’t Know?', 40 People Delivered I pretend to be asleep when he wakes up because I love how sweetly he wakes me up :)

throwawaythewayside , Toa Heftiba Report

#17

Someone Asked, 'What’s One Thing Your Partner Doesn’t Know?', 40 People Delivered One time, when I was making his favorite dinner (baked chicken tenders) I didn't have any eggs so I dredged the chicken in mayo before breading it (he hates mayo). He said it was the best batch I've ever made and had seconds. I will take this to my grave.

Shakezula69iiinne , Tyson Report

#18

Someone Asked, 'What’s One Thing Your Partner Doesn’t Know?', 40 People Delivered I always make sure he has the best softest towel for him to dry himself after a shower.

I make sure he gets the big cup so he doesn't have to get up to refill.

I lie to him how much his medicine costs because I don't want him to stress. It takes me a month to pay it off (we buy a three month supply).

I buy the best meat and chicken so his stomach doesn't have problems and don't tell him about the price. So he just eats happily and with no stress.

I pat-pat every one of his shirts (when folding laundry) with my hand so my loving energy goes in it to protect him and for him to hopefully not have stomach ache that day.

_________Ello , Giorgio Trovato Report

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Elliot Fowler
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why does the pat-pat one hit different? Even though it involves zero sacrifce unlike the others.

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#19

Someone Asked, 'What’s One Thing Your Partner Doesn’t Know?', 40 People Delivered I put "no salt" salt into his salt shaker he keeps on his table near his video games. He is notorious for over-salting his food and has high blood pressure. I've been doing this for almost 4 years now. He can't tell the difference.

deckpumps_n_deldos , Peter Werkman Report

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Jo Johannsen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Check with his doctor, too. It's fairly easy to get more potassium than is good for you, and I think there are medications that it interferes with.

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#20

Someone Asked, 'What’s One Thing Your Partner Doesn’t Know?', 40 People Delivered He does not know that he was my teenage crush since I was 12 and I wrote so many beautiful poems on him. We have been married for 6 years and have a child together. I don’t know if I will ever have the courage to tell him that I have always loved him.

Mai128 , Hello Revival Report

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Yvonne Dauwalder Balsiger
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Eh, I fail to see why you would need courage for that! It's sweet, moving and very flattering for him. I mean, it's not like you were an adult crushing on a teen, leaving them alone and waiting for the teen to become an unsuspecting adult, so you can make your move. (That would be kinda gross, but still basically ok, I guess. Some acquaintance first met when she was 15 and he was 20. He crushed on her immediately, but kept his distance, because he didn't want to be that guy. She really liked him a lot, too, so she asked him out after turning 16, so it wouldn't be illegal for him. 8 years later, they are still a couple.)

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#21

Someone Asked, 'What’s One Thing Your Partner Doesn’t Know?', 40 People Delivered That I have a folder of photos on my computer called “Places I have found my wife’s shoes” that is legitimately filled with thousands of pictures of my wife’s shoes that are neither in the closet or shoe rack

I started it years ago as a joke and it has gotten out of hand

gerryf19 , Mona Siswanto Report

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Vera
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And when your 50th anniversary comes up, you make a giant photo book out of it! It's not just funny, it's also lots of memories of shoes she wore when you were younger :)

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#22

Very early in the relationship after the second date his monitor broke right on Sunday. I knew he was an avid gamer.

So I quickly bought a 27" monitor on eBay and told him I had that laying around. While he was on the way to me, I power walked through half the town to get it and quickly changed clothes because it was drizzling.

He had low income and no money and I didn't want him to feel like he's in my debt. We're over two years together now.

Nemdolas Report

#23

I always give him the bigger towel, leave him the bigger slice of pizza, make sure there’s a few bites of food in the pan because he likes to sneak extra when he puts the dishes in the sink after dinner, hang the covers a little longer on his side of the bed, leave the last three cookies so he has at least two and can leave the last one for me like he likes to do. The list goes on and on, but he will never know how much joy he brings me and how he saves my life everyday. Okay, sap is over, back to regular, un-wholesome internet-ing.

angelofireland Report

#24

Someone Asked, 'What’s One Thing Your Partner Doesn’t Know?', 40 People Delivered That I knew he was planning to propose to me but I still acted surprised.

Married 14 years now, still haven't told him. He is so proud of the idea that he managed to surprise me.

Syntania , Andre Jackson Report

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Rachknits
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Me too! He has a story about how my engagement ring set off the metal detector at the airport and how he had to cover it up so I wouldn't guess (we were on our way to Venice and I guessed he would propose there). Thing is I knew all along because my step mum gave the game away before we left (yeah, she was like that). To this day (married 18 years) I pretend I had no idea. He's not on BP

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#25

Someone Asked, 'What’s One Thing Your Partner Doesn’t Know?', 40 People Delivered My wife is the biggest softie for animals, and we have birds that nest right in a column on our porch. One day a baby bird fell out and she saw. Well it ended up dying, but I buried it and told her that I saw the momma bird come down and get it. It made her day so much better that I haven't had the heart to tell her it died and probably never will.

I also distract her whenever I see roadkill coming up, or tell her it was just a plastic bag or something.

JBroski91 , Fabrizio Frigeni Report

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Miranda Small
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I do the same with roadkill for my partner - I'll distract him with a question or put on his favourite song or just say it was some garbage. It doesn't always work, but I know it ruins his day to see some poor animal crushed, so I try to make it better

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#26

Someone Asked, 'What’s One Thing Your Partner Doesn’t Know?', 40 People Delivered My wife thinks I always fall asleep next to her when we cuddle at night (we go to bed at different times but I jump in for a few minutes to snuggle before she zonks out). I don’t, I just fake it. But it makes her super happy so every time, I pretend to drift off and she has to wake me and it makes her laugh every time. This has been going on for 9 years.

She’ll never know.

AndrogynousRain , Adam Winger Report

#27

Someone Asked, 'What’s One Thing Your Partner Doesn’t Know?', 40 People Delivered When we worked together, someone kept stealing food from my husband’s lunchbox. He started deliberately packing more food. He assumed the person was stealing food because they were hungry and couldn’t afford it.

I found out who did it. She hated him and was doing it to try to piss him off. I told her if she did it again I would make a big stink of it, but never told him because I didn’t want to shatter his illusion that he was doing a nice thing for someone who really needed it.

Update: I think I need to fess up tonight and let him know so many people who aren’t me think he’s a treasure. I may not fit in the house with how big his head is going to get after that though!

Heysandyitspete , Caroline Attwood Report

#28

Someone Asked, 'What’s One Thing Your Partner Doesn’t Know?', 40 People Delivered How highly I think of her. She is brilliant and capable but has the most insane and deeply rooted case of imposter syndrome I've ever seen.

itsmyfrigginusername , Mathilde Langevin Report

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René Studer
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That sounds rough. Good for you to be there for her. A supporting partner or friend makes it a lot easier to deal with mental health issues.

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#29

Someone Asked, 'What’s One Thing Your Partner Doesn’t Know?', 40 People Delivered That I'm over 4 years sober. You think they would have noticed, but when I started going to AA at lunch at work after a hard year of trying and failing, sobriety finally stuck. I had been sober a month and she accused me of being drunk again and that I was obviously sneaking alcohol and clearly I was hungover and that I was a loser who would never get his sh*t together. I thought, "well I won't say anything and work on myself until even she will notice.' So I did, I stayed sober, I got fit, I ran a marathon, I got therapy, I got treatment for what turned out to be adult adhd that had gone undiagnosed for 51 years, I started anti-depressants and generally turned my life around.

She never noticed, and I'm regularly accused of being a lousy drunk by her. About every other week or so. I'd say it hurts, but I'm in such a better place now that I truly don't give a sh*t what a toxic person like that thinks, which makes her even more negative. I've stayed married to her for 26 years, but I don't think I'll make it much farther.

zyzzogeton , Mahdi Bafande Report

#30

Every night I turn around to cuddle him and I give his shirt a big sniff because his smell makes me relax.

Micarei Report

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Kanuli
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I give my wife my pillow every now and then when I leave for work and know she would be lonely. Yep smell is relaxing 😌

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#31

Someone Asked, 'What’s One Thing Your Partner Doesn’t Know?', 40 People Delivered When we were dating she tickled my feet and I acted as if I wasn't ticklish. 13 years later she will tickle them and be amazed I am not ticklish, everytime it tickles.

I have to hide this forever.

dontworryimstupid , jose aljovin Report

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#32

He knows because I tell him a lot, but I don’t think he fully understands how much I love and rely on him. I don’t think he could know without being in my head, but I have pretty acute anxiety. I know enough about my anxiety to know when I’m freaking out over nothing, so I try to keep it mostly contained to my own brain and keep the external freak outs to a minimum. Just his presence keeps me grounded and calm. He is my best friend and I don’t know if I could have accomplished most of what I have without him.

Buttonwillow Report

#33

Someone Asked, 'What’s One Thing Your Partner Doesn’t Know?', 40 People Delivered The degree to which I was really abused by my ex. Actually no one knows

Pahanka , Zhivko Minkov Report

#34

Every time we go into a restaurant or place of business, I make sure to identify all the exit points in case something bad where to happen.

Also never have my back to the doors.

Mi11ertime442 Report

#35

Someone Asked, 'What’s One Thing Your Partner Doesn’t Know?', 40 People Delivered That when I tell her I don't want her to make cookies cause we are being healthy, that I really want her to make cookies.

Ezzy17 , Mae Mu Report

#36

He doesn't know I fix his DIY properly when he is out. He's so proud of "his"work...

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Vicky Zar
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hmmm…. Wouldn‘t it be better to let him learn from his mistakes instead of letting him think he does it perfectly?

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#37

Someone Asked, 'What’s One Thing Your Partner Doesn’t Know?', 40 People Delivered My fiancé doesn't know I put a king snake in the attic last spring to take care of a rat and squirrel issue.

pabst_jew_ribbon , Joshua J. Cotten Report

#38

When I shower she thinks I make an absurdly loud noise when I'm washing my butt. Really I'm just squeezing water in my palm, but it's much funnier that she thinks it's my butt. Even done this while we were both in there to really get her going

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#39

The Botox I get between eyes because I don’t want to get that angry scowl wrinkle…he tells me I still look so young at 45. I might confess this year

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DennyS (denzoren)
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This isn't so bad, once it isn't affecting your health or anything. I don't really know much about the procedure.

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#40

We're in a LDR. I happily and willing set out on journey to go see my boyfriend first. We're both not financially well-off (but that's our business). He doesn't know how much more I make than him. He doesn't know how much it cost to get my passport, the plane ticket, nor how much I spent while I was there. He doesn't know when I came back home I was in debt. It's not his problem. (It wasn't even a big deal to me because I could pay it off.) Only recently, when his sister asked me how much I paid for the flight, did I tell her, in which my boyfriend overheard.
I don't want our relationship to become about competing with money and developing resentment.

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