Is it normal for a woman to have overlapping relationships

[Anonymous]

as one dies out and another begins? My girlfriend of nearly a year who has been practically living with me, she's been seeing this other guy but only in a group of friends. She says there's nothing between them but it sounds more like she is just waiting for us to officially break it off before allowing things to go further.

Is this something women do normally to test their current boyfriend, see how much he'll fight to keep her? Or is it just natural progression from one relationship to the next for her? For the guy, is it pretty much a done deal at this point, and best to just let things go without drama? I don't fancy making a fool of myself begging her to stay with me, if that's what she wants then so be it.

[thetheme]

Women do this all the time. It's to re-assure they will not be the one that's alone when it's time to leave you. Most women will tell you that there is "nothing going on" with another guy they are hanging out with, but there is a connection and they KNOW that the other guy (or guys) want to be with them or have sex with them. They are always on the look out for someone/something better.

This is NOT a test. She is testing the waters to see if she can land something better than you, pick you apart, give you excuses and move on. It's what they do. For a woman it's like shopping. They try it on and make the decision to keep it. If it looks better than what they already have they will get it on the spot. If they can't afford it, they will make a plan to get it later or take the risk and get it anyway because it probably won't be there later. Women do this and try to hold you at fault over it, but don't fall for that. She won't just leave, she is looking for your replacement. Sometimes the replacement is already found and they keep both guys to fulfill everything so she doesn't have anything "missing" in her life.

This is why you have to have women waiting in the wings because women have men lined up, even if you have no intentions on being with another woman have one just in case. Don't let women play stupid about this. There is a connection and attraction with many people we meet in our lives but for women it's more than that. This may be a "in case of emergency break open glass" kind of thing, but her having this you have a choice to make.

Don't be fooled, women do this all the time and try to play dumb. How would she feel if you were flirting with other women, talking and getting close to someone else, and for you to say there is nothing going on? Her suspicion would drive her crazy just like yours. This is a major red flag that you have to address asap in a very straight forward manner, or just move on.

[Asker]

Thanks for a very straightforward answer. I don't really fault her for this thought because I think we can't be serious in the long run, it would never really work with us. I just didn't want to be the one getting used in this situation but I guess there's no way out as long as I'm happy she's around. You could say we're both using each other for different reasons, my heart is definitely not committed here but I just want to know what the likely scenario on her end is.

[thetheme]

When you are with someone, the both of you are with each other for some type of value. That doesn't mean you don't enjoy each others company, but it means without that value you seek with that person, the relationship starts to fade. If your heart is not commited then you should leave and move on. Plus you are not going to be able to stop attraction or the way she feels about someone else. As I said before, it's what they do and they always have a chance to get other guys.

[Dragonblood21]

No, I don't think it's the normal.

One of thing for certain though, if a girl does this to me, she can high tail it out of there, if you want to play games like that, I'd rather not have you around.

[Anonymous]

Not for most women.

But I do have one or two friends who do this. The ones who do it tend to do it every time. Generally, these are the girls who are afraid to be single for some reason. These particular girls are wildly insecure about their ability to cope with life, in the case of my friends, though.

That being said, I'd be sure that this guy isn't just a guy who happens to be in her social circle before throwing in the towel after nearly a year.

[QueenBeatris]

if she is overlapping relationships and she did this with you as well,it sounds more like rebounds and you may have been one also ,this means she has some deep emotional healing she is avoiding and jumps from one to another to cover emotions up.

[Arwens-Fire]

I can't say overlapping relationships is normal for either sex,its just shady.If she is cheating,drop her.

[Asker]

I don't think she's cheating actually, but waiting for the shoe to drop.

[38darlene]

For me it's not normal if any guy living with me tried that he would be out . I would never live with one guy & be seeing another .