Guy Says He Loves His Girlfriend But Wants To Sleep With Other Women Too, His Proposal Gets Rejected

There are countless tried-and-true ways to ruin that incredibly important moment when you bend your knee before your partner, holding a proposal ring in your hand. Rejection can sometimes spell the end of a relationship, but sometimes, it’s simply a spur for both partners to become better.

However, the story we’re about to tell you today, from the user u/ExistingCold6894, stands out even among many similar tales. The story goes that the author’s boyfriend invited her on a romantic trip for their 10th anniversary, and then proposed… an open marriage. So, let’s go on reading it now.

More info: Reddit

There are numerous ways to ruin your proposal moment – and sometimes people actually pick the most bizarre of them

Couple smiling together at an indoor event, illustrating a moment related to a proposal with a twist about open marriage.

Image credits: Shoham Avisrur / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

The author of the post and her boyfriend had been dating for 10 years and the guy recently took her to Edinburgh for a romantic trip

Man drops to one knee with ring proposing but girlfriend walks away after open marriage mentioned in twist moment

Man drops to one knee with a ring during proposal twist, girlfriend walks away after mention of open marriage.

Man drops to one knee with a ring proposing an open marriage, girlfriend walks away shocked on Calton Hill.

Man drops to one knee with a ring while girlfriend walks away after he mentions open marriage, surprising twist unfolds.

Man drops to one knee with ring while girlfriend walks away after he mentions open marriage twist.

Text explaining a unique marriage proposal twist involving open marriage leading to a girlfriend walking away.

Image credits: ExistingCold6894

Man in dark suit holding an engagement ring box, symbolizing a proposal with an open marriage twist.

Image credits: Gladys Aguayo / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

The man then kneeled and, holding a ring in his hand, proposed an open marriage

Text snippet describing emotional reaction after a guy drops to one knee with a ring and mentions open marriage.

Text excerpt showing a conversation about marriage rejection and a surprising open marriage twist.

Text excerpt showing a conversation about open marriage and monogamous marriage preferences.

Guy drops to one knee with a ring proposing but girlfriend walks away after he mentions open marriage twist.

Man drops to one knee with ring proposing, girlfriend walks away after hearing open marriage twist.

Man drops to one knee with a ring, girlfriend walks away after he mentions open marriage, a surprising twist.

Image credits: ExistingCold6894

Woman in a robe wiping tears in a bedroom, reflecting emotional reaction to open marriage proposal twist.

Image credits: Getty Images / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

This was definitely not what the woman expected, so she just answered “No!”

Man drops to one knee with ring in hand, girlfriend walks away shocked after mention of open marriage twist.

Text excerpt about a guy apologizing and trying to make up after a relationship mistake involving open marriage.

Couple in tense moment during proposal with a ring as open marriage causes girlfriend to walk away.

Text on white background stating a woman’s reaction to a boyfriend’s open marriage proposal causing her to walk away.

Man drops to one knee with ring during proposal twist as girlfriend walks away after he mentions open marriage.

Man drops to one knee with a ring revealing open marriage idea, girlfriend walks away shocked and upset.

Text excerpt showing someone questioning ending a long relationship after a partner brings up open marriage and therapy costs.

Image credits: ExistingCold6894

The woman now feels completely devastated and all that she wants is to end this relationship

So, the Original Poster (OP) and her boyfriend had been dating for ten years, and for their anniversary, the man invited her on a romantic trip to Edinburgh (the couple lives in London). It was there, ten years ago, that their love story began, and for the OP, it was a wonderful and romantic reprise; she had only happy expectations for this trip.

What she certainly didn’t expect was for her boyfriend, kneeling with a ring in his hand, to ask her, “Will you open marry me?” She asked if she had heard him right – and yes, it turned out he wanted to marry her, but he wanted it to be an open marriage. The guy said he loved her very much, but he also wanted to keep a room for sleeping with other women.

The author felt as if her world had collapsed with those words – and the perfect image of her boyfriend and would-be fiancé had crashed off its pedestal. With these feelings, the OP just said, “No!” And when he said okay, he was ready for a “usual” marriage, the woman clarified that she didn’t want to see him at all and that she needed some time alone.

The man tried to call her later, but our heroine realized she couldn’t even imagine a relationship with him right now. The very thought of them being together gives her nothing but shivers. What’s most frustrating is that, now, the woman doesn’t understand how she can manage her life, because she can’t afford to live alone in one of the most expensive cities in the world.

Woman looking upset while holding smartphone, reacting to a surprising open marriage proposal video.

Image credits: SkelDry / Freepik (not the actual photo)

The very idea of ​​open relationships has become quite popular in recent decades – but, paradoxically, partners’ expectations of such relationships are sometimes far from reality. For example, a person may simply not realize that open marriages are actually a two-way street, and that their spouse can also be popular, sometimes way more than they are.

“Yes, there will be feelings, and the first one may obviously be jealous and hurt,” John Kim, LMFT, writes in his article for Psychology Today. “My question is this: assuming you have opened your relationship, how many of these feelings would come from ego, control, insecurity, possession, and ‘shoulds?'” However, asking such a question after a decade-long relationship while proposing to your partner looks outright insane.

The official website for the American Psychological Association offers a detailed fact sheet for those who want to have an open marriage (incidentally, according to this study, 1 in 22 people have considered something similar at some point). This dedicated post at Hello Prenup also notes that such a step requires detailed information from your partner. This, obviously, is something the OP’s boyfriend certainly didn’t do.

In the comments, the author noted that the most her boyfriend had previously said were ambiguous jokes about an open relationship. Well, she now realizes that they probably weren’t jokes at all but rather innuendoes. Regardless, most responders supported the original poster and advised her to just end the relationship. So, what piece of advice would you give her?

Most commenters gave the author their sincere support and just agreed with her decision

Screenshot of an online discussion about monogamy and open marriage reactions between a couple.

Guy drops to one knee with a ring and twist as girlfriend walks away after open marriage reveal in emotional proposal moment.

Comment discussing a guy’s open marriage proposal and his girlfriend walking away after he drops to one knee with a ring.

Commenter advises against open marriage after a surprise proposal with a ring, urging to leave and move forward.

Comment criticizing a marriage proposal used as bait to suggest an open relationship, sparking controversy and strong reactions.

User comment on Reddit post, expressing disbelief after a proposal involving an open marriage mention leads to girlfriend walking away.

Man drops to one knee with a ring and twist, girlfriend walks away after he mentions open marriage proposal.

Man drops to one knee with a ring and surprises girlfriend with open marriage proposal causing her to walk away.

Man drops to one knee with ring, reveals open marriage twist, causing girlfriend to walk away in shock.

Man drops to one knee with a ring holding a twist, girlfriend walks away reacting to open marriage proposal gesture.

Text conversation discussing a man proposing with a ring and revealing an open marriage twist.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing open marriage and relationship trust issues from a user named iammaggie1.

Comment advising to take money from joint account and find a place to stay after open marriage revelation.

Man drops to one knee with ring in hand, surprised girlfriend walks away after mentioning open marriage twist

Commenter offering advice on a breakup after a guy proposes with a ring then mentions open marriage.

Man drops to one knee with ring, girlfriend walks away after he mentions open marriage during proposal.

Poll Question

Total votes ·

Thanks! Check out the results:

Total votes ·

Newsletter

Subscribe to Access
Exclusive Polls

Subscribe

By entering your email and clicking Subscribe, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Privacy Policy.

Thank you! You've successfully subscribed to newsletters!

Anyone can write on Bored Panda. Start writing!

Follow Bored Panda on Google News!

Follow us on Flipboard.com/@boredpanda!