Public Service Announcement

[rootofnewt]

Folks, when entering into a relationship, be it love, business, or any type of personal thing, don't assume anything.

Do not assume the relationship is exclusive.
Do not assume that it is not.
Do not assume that the other party/parties in the relationship know what you're thinking.
Don't assume that they're thinking what you're thinking.
Don't assume that anything is the default--monogamy, polyamory, business discounts, wholesale price, whatever.
Don't assume that out of sight = out of mind. Don't assume that it does not.
In short--quit making assumtptions.

Talk. Communicate. Lay it all out. Express what you feel and don't draw your own conclusions because unless you actually share a brain with the other folks involved, you do not have all the information. Lay out as many guidelines as possible before you share money or resources or feelings or bodily fluids with other people. Be flexible. BUT KEEP TALKING.

For those of you who haven't seen it and are experiencing trouble along these lines not related to business transactions, please refer to the this.

And one more thing--don't assume I have no idea what I'm talking about. Trust me. We all make mistakes. Just do the smart thing and LEARN from them, okay?

Comments

[alierakieron.livejournal.com]

Boo. Ya. It never fails to amaze me that people DO seem to treat relationships like service contracts - some initial ground rules are laid (Usually not enough) and then people proceed to act as if that will never, ever, change, need fine tuning, tweaking, slappping about, etc...