Why do you ask about number of sexual partners?

truthcanhurt REALLY nailed it on the head! I have a bad sexual past, 100women, always safe and clean, but I have a double standard with the women I date because it would see them as a slutty person.an issue I have to get over but nonetheless, because men and women take sex different ways and the meanings associated, that's why there will always be the "stud vs slut" syndrome

Guys do not want to have a "serious" relationship with a girl who has slept with several other guys. Bottom line is, guys CAN'T STAND thinking about a girl he has true feelings for having ANY type of intimate moments with another guy. He asks you because its an answer to a question that all guys need to know before they can truly respect a girl. I believe, once a whore, always a whore. I hate to cock block, but young girls need to realize that choices they make when they are young can seriously hinder their chances of landing "Prince Charming". Guys. just remember, if you are willing to ask the question you should be prepared to answer the same one with honesty.

It's an interesting question you are asking. But, I've never asked a girl about her sexual history. It really doesn't interest me.

I figure, if there's something about it that she thinks I need to know, she'll tell me on her own. ;-)

LOL this is funny because this one time I was on a date with a girl and she asked
"How many people have you slept with? "
I thought the question was a little inappropriate, but I figured it would come up down the road anyway. Why not get it out of the way when are feelings aren't so strong, ya know?
So anyway, she asks me and I tell her "Well you asked me first so why don't you answer first" She told me like 5-6. Then she was like "Ok now you. "
I was like "1" and it was the truth. She became silent instantly and realized what kind of hole she just dug herself. She told she felt like such a slut. Lol
I honestly didn't care. I would have probably slept with more people too but, I had only been in one long relationship before that time. If she told me like 10-20 I may have began to have gotten a little turned off.

I ask to get an idea if this girl is safe to sleep with. :)
If the number is on the large side, then I worry about stds, and I would rather not risk it.
Now, other guys just want to know to see if you are an easy girl or not; if they hear a large number, then they know they have a chance. If you're in a relationship, and a guy is pursuing you to be in one, then a large number turn guys off cause most guys don't want to be with what they consider a slut. Now, what's a large number? Well that depends; you could have had 5 long term bf's, and that's ok; but you could have had 5 guys in a month, and many guys will think that's not ok. But yea, some guys have a girl every month and that's perfectly fine. Don't you love the double standards? :)

I knew a little about my wife's sexual past when we started dating (we were good friends for a couple of years before) and it never bothered me. Once we had been together (as a couple) I gradually learned more and more about her past, and it still never bothered me. In fact, it helped me to satisfy her better as a lover by learning from her previous lover's mistakes and virtues. She told me about 5 years ago that she had had better lovers than me, but just a month ago, she confided in me that now I was her best - "by far". I told her "You have to say that since we are married! " to which she said, "No, it is true. It didn't use to be, but it is now. You have improved tremendously over the last few years. " Every once in a while, another tid-bit of her past comes up and I use that to improve even more. The best thing about my wife's sexual behavior before I met her was that she used sex for what it is - getting off. She rarely "dated" anybody, but would instead go out and get laid when she was horny (around ovulation time) and be done with it till next month. She would come every time she had sex, because in her words, "I was there to get off. Whatever they did themselves was beyond my caring. It was a slam-bam-thank you man now get out kind of time. " She is a hoot. She had such a man's attitude about the whole thing. Anyway, I suggest asking about their past (we all want to know - even if it is just plain curiosity) and learning from it. Good question.

I like honesty myself and even if the number was high it would never change how I felt about a person cause you don't love them for who they were you love them for who they ARE!!

Guys wonder because a huge number makes them think you won't be satisfied by just him. A tiny number is typically good, though 0 or 1 might make him nervous that you don't know much about sex and might get curious someday, and thus not be satisfied by just him.

IOW there is no good answer. Though a small number, less than his, and true (that's a keyword; don't get caught in a lie) is probably the best possible scenario here.

The only point of knowing the number is to pass judgment on that number. So, if you don't want the judgment don't share (and don't ask his number). Tell him that it doesn't matter and its private and he has to deal with it. You'll at least find out if he's a control freak that doesn't trust you because if he is, he won't be able to deal. If he's cool, you have a good guy there (though he will still wonder internally.)