Compatibility
by Somerset

Somerset is a man in his seventies who has only recently begun to search for compatible women for open relationships. He prefers sexual variety and treasures his independence. This series, Polyamorous Possibilities, is the sequel to his Potentially Polyamorous series exploring open relationships. Both this series as well as the first one are archived for reference.

“In forming intimate relationships with others I find that honesty and sexual orientation are two of the earliest topics that need to be addressed if I'm to determine whether I may be compatible with a prospective lover . Lieren lists several spectrums that may usefully be exchanged. Rider says, "I let a relationship be what it's gonna be & I enjoy all the forms it takes." I like both of those possibilities.

I've mentioned an aspect of Polyamory that I particularly enjoy. It's the one in which those who wish to experience a polyamorous lifestyle generally feel free to devise whatever rules they feel comfortable with or none at all. My preference is to avoid potential misunderstandings by being explicit rather than implicit in disclosing my polyamorous preferences to a friend or associate as soon as it appears that a sexual relationship may be possible and mutually desired.

From my perspective everyone is a special person, at least in his or her own eyes, and has the potential to be all that he or she might want to be. A test for each of us in a polyamorous relationship is whether we can treat the others as unique in that each has a broad range of characteristics, personalities, and preferences. While I think it is natural to have preferences, I try not to be judgmental or show undue favoritism any more that I would for my five children and eleven grandchildren.

I enjoy my own uniqueness and the uniqueness I find in each of my associates. I know I can't be all things to all persons and that neither can they, but I believe we are each compatible in some aspects of that separate uniqueness. So I follow Cowper's suggestion that "variety's the very spice of life".

Somerset

Posted on Polyamorous Percolations 11 June 2010 at 11:00 USEDT