Where does swinging and poly start to blur the lines?

"When it's open, you may have a separate play partners, but there's no emotional relationship beyond that." Not quite. The two aren't mutually exclusive. The definition of open relationship includes an and/or regarding romantic relationships. But see that's where you made a good point that there are some blurry lines in all of this. That's why labels/words don't always completely capture some of the details of individuality. Your example, for example (see what I did there? lol) of sep rooms vs. playing solo. Sometimes playing solo involves a key swap, location swap, on the same night. We know many couples who require that to play solo but they still see it as a shared activity. Another big one is overnight vs. going home to your own partner after. Anyway, lots to think about...

There's also an in-between step: open marriage.
To me, swinging is something you do with your spouse/significant other only - even if you retire to separate rooms.
When it's open, you may have a separate play partners, but there's no emotional relationship beyond that.
Polyamory is have multiple partners, all of with whom you would have an emotional bond beyond just physical.

There's some overlap that blurs the lines. Is a couple with whom you are both best friends, but also physically involved, a poly relationship? Or is it just friends with benefits.

Polyamory is definitely a deep rabbit hole. If you're interested, I encourage you to learn more. But as there's ethical non-monogamy in traditional relationships, there's also sometimes monogamy amongst a polycule. So there's definitely a world of difference between that and swinging.

Lovers: You may want to join our hallpass group. We tried to "define" the many styles of playing, even though we are not hung up on labels at all. But labels do facilitate conversation.

See group....HALLPASS COUPLES NATIONWIDE.

We'd love to hear your opinion.

you pay taxes?

Nothing is certain except for death and taxes, cuttin2dachase.

The lines start to blur when agreed upon relationship rules get broken, lies are told and secret meetings take place.

Loved your post @LoversAfterDark. Hits on the "labels" issue we have. Just do you and have fun with what feels right for the two of you. The original post points to blurred lines and I think that's correct. However, you shouldn't have to explain anything to anyone, have words for things, so long as you find what fits YOU. Enjoy! :)

As for us, we've played solo a lot in the past 10 years of our 22 years in the LS. Solo play leads to deeper connections. Communication, communication, communication in those settings.

For "us" .. we have had long term FWB for years , one over 20 years one recent over 7 years. We are NOT POLY but really enjoy our fuck buddy friends both female and male. We have taken them on vacation multiple times, they have met us on vacation and for "us" its always about FUN and Great sex.. including dates, sleepovers, and then coming home to each other to talk about our great adventures....thats it.

No ONE can replace what we have in our marriage, the everlasting love, sex, the trials and tribulations of our relationship, kids, and grandkids.. its one of a kind and we are very thankful for what we have with each other.. our FWB even say how lucky we are!

We each have our own fuck buddies, go out on dates, shopping etc everything mentioned above.. for "us" its like a sport that we immensely enjoy.. no labels just sex with fun classy sexy people who get what we do. Its exciting for us!

We encourage everyone to make the journey what you want and what you enjoy.. no pressure on labels or what anyone does in ones bedroom.. we have seen those on this site who are dishonest, cheat on a spouse and let feelings go beyond .. why because the original relationship is not strong and has some cracks in it... even one of our long time ones had issues in the end and found out he had lied about some recent events.

perhaps the question isn't important, as lablels tend to be problematic ( a rose by any other name) when you try to apply them to things as fluid as relationships, but just curious what people's takes are on the subject.
Seems like there is a continuum to me with lots of gray in between.

• Meet a couple just once for sex, definately just swinging.
• You meet the same couple more than once but it's just sex, seems like that is still "swinging" even if it's ongoing.
• You meet another couple and you just form a deeper connection right away. You become friends, sex is involved, and you want to keep seeing eachother on an ongoing basis ( not exclusively ) but you still have your own seperate lives. To me this is a degree removed from swinging but it's not quite poly either. Does this even have a name?