Outsiders get confused on where to draw the line between swinging and casual dating. While singles can be swingers, the process is much more like looking for a fuck-buddy than your more traditional search for a potential long term mate. In swinging, you generally look for the best potential short term partner while dating is the opposite.
Even when relationships (by which I mean two people who hang out) are based on the fact that one or both parties are swingers, it's interesting to see how that lifestyle choice is questioned when it is suddenly acted on. The thought of multiple partners is exciting enough to make many people jump at the opportunity to participate, at least until the fun doesn't include you. Being a swinger comes with the freedom to have sex with other people, but it also comes with the responsibility of not freaking out when your partner exercises that same freedom.
Seducing a swinger doesn't
This article appears in Sep 30 – Oct 6, 2010.